Deborah Gibson to headline Rhode Island Pride
LGBT Rhode Islanders will "paint the town proud" on June 20 at the Ocean State's annual Pride celebration at Station Park in Providence.
The festival, which didn't take place in the park last year, will be held from noon until 8:30 p.m., with the Illuminated Nighttime Parade to follow. It was held at the city's Burnside Park and Fleet Skating Center in 2007 and 2008. Rhode Island Pride co-chair Rodney Davis said he feels holding the event at Station Park is a boost to the event.
"Station Park has a larger area for our vendors and will cost Pride thousands of dollars less," he told EDGE.
The theme for 2009 is "Paint the Town Proud - Create ? Act ? Inspire".
"The celebratory nature of Pride is captured in the expression "paint the town proud" which motivates participants to fill our state with powerful images and expressions of our own personal pride in who we are as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals and the many straight supporters and allies who join our ranks," Davis explained.
The marshals for this year's Parade will represent the states that have extended marriage to same-sex couples-Iowa, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
"By the examples of those states who have championed the cause of marriage equality, we see that we must likewise look at ourselves as organizations, activists and just everyday Rhode Islanders who want to see freedom and justice in our state," Davis said. "We can all learn from their triumphs and defeats on the road to marriage equality. The tide is turning in our favor and time will reveal that marriage equality will happen."
Deborah Gibson will headline this year's Pride Festival. The 80s pop queen top the charts with a string of platinum-selling albums and hit singles that include "Out of the Blue", "Shake Your Love", and "Lost in Your Eyes."
Joining Gibson is a stellar line-up of talent from local to national acts. They include Josh Duffy, Scottie Gage, Gregory Douglass, Jelvis Presley and Ariel Aparicio and The Hired Guns. Danielle Andrews, the Candace Brooks Band, Becky Chase, Mary Day Band, the Imperial Court of Rhode Island, Sabrina Blaze, Jackie Collins will also appear. Special performances by Miss Gay Rhode Island 2000 Divine Lee Sei, Ms. Lesbian Rhode Island 2009 Sarah Howes and Mr. Gay Rhode Island 2009 Scottie are also planned.
Miss Kitty Litter, a staple of several past Pride celebrations, will emcee along with Genesis, Haley Star and Jacqueline DiMera.
In addition to the entertainment, there will also be the Marketplace and Business Exposition, the Kid's Pride Zone and the Beer, Wine and Spirits Garden.
A fundraiser produced by Chris Harris Presents will feature multi-platinum chart topping performer Deborah Cox at Roxy/Lupos on Washington Street on Friday, June 19, in Providence to benefit Rhode Island Pride.
Log onto www.PrideRI.com for more information.