LGBT – RI Future

September 28, 2016September 28, 2016

The Bishop strikes back

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Seemingly in response to critics, like Rhode Island Senator Donna Nesselbush, who took issue with the recent firing of Michael Templeton, the Music Director at the Church of St. Mary in Providence due to his same-sex marriage, Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Providence Diocese has written a short defense of sorts. In his piece, Tobin disputes the idea that Pope Francis is somehow softening the church’s approach to non-heterosexuality.

Tobin doesn’t defend the church’s position of intolerance to homosexuality but instead seeks to demonstrate that Pope Francis can not be differentiated from the church’s anti-gay agenda.

“When Church leaders have to respond to situations involving persons living an openly ‘gay lifestyle’ these days, we’re often scolded and told that we should be ‘more like Pope Francis,’ presumably the ‘Who-am-I-to judge’ Pope Francis,” writes Tobin, before listing four examples of the Pope actively not “gently advancing” the cause of gay rights and gay marriage:

“Perhaps those critics should also remember the Pope Francis who said that same-sex marriage is destructive of families and is the work of the devil.
“And the Pope Francis who has now supported the Mexican Bishops’ campaign to oppose gay marriage in their country.
“And the Pope Francis who rejected the nomination of the Ambassador from France because the Ambassador is openly gay.
“And the Pope Francis whose administration immediately fired and disciplined a priest who was working in the Vatican upon learning that the priest was gay and involved in a relationship.

“It seems to me, then,” concludes Tobin, “that when we uphold the faith and teachings of the Church about homosexuality, we are indeed a lot like Pope Francis.”

September 27, 2016September 27, 2016

Senator Donna Nesselbush breaks silence on Catholic Church’s ‘flawed view’ of gay marriage

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Rhode Island State Senator Donna Nesselbush released a statement in response to the recent firing of Michael Templeton, the Music Director at the Church of St. Mary in Providence due to his same-sex marriage. Nesselbush was instrumental in getting marriage equality passed in the Senate.

“Sponsoring the marriage equality legislation in the Senate will always be my most cherished accomplishment in the Rhode Island Senate. I grew up staunchly Catholic, attending eight years of Catholic school at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. My father did not go to church every Sunday; he went every single day. Although Catholicism is in my bones and I will always be a Catholic at heart, I stopped going to church years ago after I realized I was gay. I never wanted to cause a problem, embarrass my family or the church and religion I love,” said Senator Nesselbush.

“The time, however, has come for me to speak out about the Catholic Church’s flawed view of gay marriage. The Church persists in placing ‘form over substance.’ I always say, we Christians should worry more about the quality of our love, rather than the gender of the person we love. I hear Pope Francis gently advancing this cause when he repeats the words of Jesus: ‘Who am I (the Pope) to judge,’ paraphrasing the well-known…’judge not lest we be judged.’ Interestingly, the parishioners at Saint Mary’s seem also to be upset, crying out for justice for their beloved music director, as I suspect most Catholics are. If the church stays true to the real teachings of Jesus, the answers are right there. Love is love, and love is all we need, not the Church’s rules and regulations that actually, ironically, belie Christianity,” added Senator Nesselbush.

In an excellent break-down of the story, Bob Shine of New Ways Ministry wrote, “The Diocese of Providence took over the administration of the parish from the Franciscan Friars two years ago. The administrative shift means the parish is now overseen more directly by Bishop Thomas Tobin, who has a very LGBT-negative record.”

This story will be updated if Tobin responds to a request for comment.

September 18, 2016

URI has failed to erase Andrew Winters’ name

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This marks the fifth year since Andrew Winters was disappeared from URI. Yiddish scores much higher on the scale of colorful curses than American English and, growing up, I occasionally heard the curse “yemach shemoy—may his name be erased!” That is exactly what happened to Andrew Winters at URI: his name and memory have been obliterated. Meanwhile, state leadership have circled their wagons and restorative justice remains sorely absent.

Almost five years ago, when the Providence Journal was still a local newspaper, Bob Kerr wrote one of his famous columns, one headlined “Mysterious end to career of helping:”

Andrew Winters did good and important work at the University of Rhode Island that few others could do. He helped students come in from some very cold places. He worked to change attitudes that often took the form of hard and hateful things yelled from car windows or scrawled on doors.

Two of URI’s former students have not forgotten and shared their dismay in this month’s issue of Options, Rhode Island’s free LGBTQ Community Magazine.

One letter to the editor is from a former URI psychology student, Gary Burkholder, who received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the URI Alumni Association in 2014—see page 12 of Options.

After writing about his experience with Andrew’s work at URI, which “greatly contributed to the evolution of the LGBT climate on the University of Rhode Island Campus,” Gary ends with:

Some day the full story will be told and he [Andrew] will be an unquestionable and integral part of it.

The letter to the editor on the facing page 13 is by Aja VanDyke, another former URI student. She starts by mentioning:

September 2016 marks the fifteenth anniversary of the inception of the URI GLBT Center; Rhode Island’s first campus center for LGBTQ people. The Center was established to provide education, advocacy and support, and it did so for students, faculty, and other Rhode Islanders.

The community center no longer exists on the URI campus in Adams Hall. Andrew Winters, the man who created it, was bullied out of his career …

Aja ends with:

Many of us see the retaliation that has been done to Andrew and Don [his husband] because of their LGBT advocacy, including the continuing official coverup, as a hate crime.

You can read the full letters in Options.

Of course, there is nothing mysterious about the coverup, nor about the fact that URI President Dooley welcomed an investigation in public, while he squashed it behind the scenes. Whether it is workplace bullying, 38 Studios, or the “unexpected” failure of the Keable/Fogarty Burrillville power plant bill, that’s how we do the People’s business in Rhode Island.

Let me end on a positive note and wish Jen Stevens the best of luck as she departs Options as Editor in Chief. Thank you, Jen, for your dedication and hard work!

August 16, 2016August 26, 2016

Franklin Graham’s hate and fear not wanted in Rhode Island

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Franklin Graham, son of the famous evangelist Billy Graham, is coming to the south steps of the Rhode Island State House on August 31 at noon, to preach his message of anti-LGBTQ, anti-Islam, pro-theocracy intolerance. Graham is visiting Rhode Island as part of a 50-state tour. “I’m going to every state in our country,” says Graham on his website, “to challenge Christians to live out their faith at home, in public and at the ballot box—and I will share the Gospel.”

Graham’s gospel includes the demonization of those who don’t subscribe to his narrow, biblical world view. Graham “and his pals,” writes Rob Boston, director of communications at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, “lost the marriage equality case at the U.S. Supreme Court, but they didn’t let that slow them down. Almost immediately, they started attacking the transgender community.”

Graham’s tour is timed to have maximum impact on the coming presidential election, even as he tries to pretend that his message somehow transcends politics. “I am running a campaign, but I am running a campaign for God,” says Graham on his 50-state tour website. His message isn’t one of unity and peace, it’s one built on the familiar right-wing tropes of hate and fear.

“The secularists, the progressives, many of these people, most of them are people that would be atheistic, and we have taken God out of our country,” said Graham during his Facebook live prayer event, scheduled before the start of the Republican National Convention, “We have taken Him out of our nation; we have taken Him out of our government. We have taken Him out of the education system, and our country is beginning to implode. We’re on the precipice of anarchy.”

Graham reserves his most vile verbal venom for members of the LGBTQ community. “I want the school boards of America in the hands of evangelical Christians within the next four to six years,” said Graham to Fox News’ Todd Starnes, “And it can happen and that will have a huge impact because so many school districts now are controlled by wicked, evil people, and the gays and lesbians, and I keep bringing their name up, but they are at the forefront of this attack against Christianity in America.”

Franklin went to Russia in 2015 to praise “President Vladimir Putin’s protection of ‘traditional Christianity,’ including the passage of the 2013 ‘gay propaganda’ law that effectively criminalizes pro-gay-rights speech and advocacy.”

While in Russia, Graham didn’t miss his chance to put down the country of his birth. “[T]he situation in the US regarding religion is in decline. Secularism, which is almost no different from communism, is an atheistic movement. Our country is becoming more and more secular, more atheist, taking God out of government, taking God out of schools. We are witnessing America losing many religious freedoms. In your country over the past 30 years, we have seen positive changes. But over this same period of time in the US, the changes have been negative.”

If you’re not convinced that Franklin Graham is a monster, consider that he called the “first national monument to the gay rights movement near the site of the Stonewall protests in New York City” an “Unbelievable… monument to sin,” adding, “It’s no surprise that the three officials who represent the area and support the monument are all openly gay.”

Consider that Graham told a capacity crowd in Alabama that the idea of separating church and state is “just a lie that the enemy uses to try to keep your mouth shut.”

Consider that he lead the effort to boycott Girl Scout cookies because of the group’s acceptance of lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender youth, saying, he “won’t be buying any Girl Scout cookies this year.”

Then there’s Graham’s anti-Islam rants, a featured part of his public comments and sermons since 9/11. In the aftermath of the attacks, writes William Alberts in Counterpunch, Graham called Islam a “very wicked and evil religion.” In the same Counterpunch piece Alberts wrote:

Rev. Graham’s glorification of his brand of Christianity depends on him condemning Islam as a “violent form of faith,” which led him to do violence to Islam with this glaring lie: “‘Nowhere in its history gives proof of peace (italics added).’” He continued, “‘Islam itself has not changed at all in 1500 years . . . It is the same. It is a religion of war.’” He cited the Islamic State, the Taliban and Boko Haram, and concluded, “This is Islam. It has not been hijacked by radicals. This is the faith, this is the religion. It is what it is. It speaks for itself.”

In Rhode Island, the LGBTQ and Muslim communities have united against hate and violence, especially in the wake of the Orlando shootings. When a mosque was vandalized in North Kingstown, members of the LGBTQ community attended an interfaith vigil in support.

Franklin Graham is visiting a state that was founded on principles diametrically opposed to his brand of intolerance, fear and stupidity. I am confident he will not find fertile ground for his bigotry in the state founded by Roger Williams.

July 1, 2016

YPI applauds PVD School Board policy on transgender and gender expansive students

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Youth Pride Inc. (YPI) applauds the new policies of the Providence School Board in its efforts to ensure best practices to providing services and support to transgender students that not only create a more safe and affirming learning environment, but also protects the rights of transgender students in the city’s schools. YPI is the only youth service organization in the state that is exclusively focused on the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. They serve not only as advocates for our LGBTQ youth, but also as a resource to any school in our state who wishes to engage YPI as partners in the process to supporting LGBTQ youth.

“This policy is a welcome change and one that YPI has been advocating for many years,” said Chris Lauth, Executive Director at Youth Pride. “This policy is a key step in recognizing transgender students’ needs to feel supported from our school leaders and paves the way for our schools to extend this right to them.

Joining the national and regional call to action to support transgender students, both Providence School Board Member Robert Gondola, who sponsored the board initiative and School Board President Nicholas Hemond demonstrated good leadership in the creation and approval of this important policy. The Policy for Transgender and Gender Expansive Students compliments Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza‘s priorities for a school district that is welcoming, accessible and free of discrimination.

For more information about this new policy and/or what it may mean for you as a parent or student, YPI is always available for support and counseling.

June 21, 2016

Youth Pride Inc announces new executive director

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Christopher R. Lauth, Assistant Director of Diversity Programs at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), has been named Executive Director of Youth Pride Inc. (YPI) by the organization’s Board of Directors. Mr. Lauth will officially assume this new role on June 27, 2016.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Youth Pride Inc., I am excited to welcome Christopher Lauth as the new Executive Director,” said Board Chair Lisa Carcieri. “His passion and demonstrated leadership serving the LGBTQ community will help the organization advance its mission to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ youth and young adults of our State.”

Mr. Lauth will be YPI’s fifth Executive Director. His background includes founding and leading a gay/straight alliance from 2006-2009 in Northeast Florida and significant experience in higher education, student development theory, non-profit management and social justice education. Mr. Lauth will advance both YPI’s strategic plan and guide development initiatives to better support LGBTQ youth and YPI’s future contributions in youth advocacy/education for the Rhode Island community.

“I am humbled and honored to be serving our Rhode Island LGBTQ youth, helping to create not only a safe space but a space that will allow our youth to show up with all of their identities fully present,” said Mr. Lauth. “Only then will we create an environment that will empower and prepare our youth to recognize their immense personal power when they live true to who they are enabling them to become change agents in our community.”

Lauth has a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York and a Bachelor of Arts in U.S. Southern Cultural History from Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida.

YPI was founded nearly 25 years ago in 1992 as a support group within the YMCA of Greater Rhode Island. Having its first meeting in the Sarah Doyle Women’s Center on Brown University’s campus, it quickly outgrew the space and incorporated in 1994. Today, YPI is poised to begin a robust and exciting time in its history to help foster an emerging generation of strong, thoughtful and caring leaders in a global society. Over the past year, YPI has served 850 youth in its drop-in center, providing access to food for over 300 and supported 45 gay/straight alliances in the Rhode Island school system.

June 19, 2016

The Pulse shooting and Pride through a different PrYSM

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Last week’s violence in Orlando at a gay nightclub was a major motivator for the recent protest action by PrYSM at Pride this year. The action, however, was part of a larger multi-evening dialogue about a schism within the LGBTQQIA+ community that has been present for some time which directly confronts and talks about the inter-connections between race, class, gender, sex, and orientation, a conversation that includes the use of words like “Marxism” and “Islamophobia” in ways that are light-years to the Left of what is being talked about by the mainstream press when reporting on Bernie Sanders. During my coverage of these events I heard some activists express disgust at how some of the Sanders supporters have carried on, particularly with regards to brow-beating black voters for not supporting the Senator from Vermont!

Steve Ahlquist’s excellent recent report on the events at the State House last week, wherein a woman of color, Vanessa Flores-Maldonado, was booed for mentioning police brutality, was the first domino in the chain of events that led to this. That blatant act of racism and misogyny so disgusted local activists of color that they felt it was imperative to hold another event at AS-220 on Friday, June 17 that would allow them to process through and mourn together in a safe place a man of color unleashing such violence against other people of color.

The evening began with a very emotional event that was so private I did not record audio or images. Several queer Muslims held a prayer service, the jumu’ah, attended by a variety of community members and allies, and led by a local Muslim professor who was sure to qualify that she was not an imam or Islamic scholar, just a prayerful believer who believed in God. The prayer leader had a queer niece who introduced her aunt and began to weep in the middle of her speech, saying at one point this was so important to her because “we as Muslims don’t talk about these things”. The congregation shared as one prayer mat a long and wide rainbow flag unfurled from the front of the main stage of AS-220. It was a breathtaking sight in its simplicity.

Placards distributed at the prayer service.

Following the prayer, the activists had a series of presentations articulating their feelings and emotions related to the events in Orlando. These included silly moments of singing classic gay karaoke tunes as well as moments of genuine sadness, with performers continuing to break down throughout. One instance was a queer male talking longingly of Omar Mateen, the Pulse shooter, asking in a painful tone not only why he had done these things but how he could have been so hurt by America’s white supremacist and homophobic culture to consider such violence legitimate. Another performer described his views as Marxist and queer while discussing how he is able to “pass” as white despite being a light-skinned Syrian.

The day before, Sam Husseini, an independent journalist who has given special notice to Arab news topic during his career, wrote this in a piece titled Noor Zahi Salman: Everything You’re Hearing About Me Is a Lie:

Some friends of Noor Zahi Salman are apparently speculating that what actually happened was that Omar Mateen was about to be outed as gay — and went nuts. This could have broader implications since “Israel surveils and blackmails gay Palestinians to make them informants.” That clearly is speculative. But far more responsible than speculation that is streaming forth from your TV.

The point that many of these queer and allied Muslims shared, regardless of their personal views regarding the Pillars of Islam, was that the Pulse shooter was one of them for multiple reasons and that his actions were an explosion of nihilistic rage not at homosexuality being condoned by a decadent libertine Western society as much as this self-proclaimed enlightened Western civilization being the central organ of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and imperialism in the world today. They pulled no punches, including a moment when Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were displayed in large glossy photos onstage as part of a musical number that repudiated both Democratic and Republican racism. One of these performances included a line that summed up these sentiments, “Not gay as in happy but queer as in fuck you!”

This performance had o[pened with these slogans being covered with images of Trump, Clinton, and other political figures. — This performance had opened with these slogans being covered with images of Trump, Clinton, and other political figures.

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The next day was Pride. Throughout the day, white stage performers were consistently, when referring to Orlando, using derogatory language about Mateen that ‘othered’ him while failing to articulate any recognition of him as potentially bisexual or as a member of a religious minority currently experiencing a tremendous level of state-sponsored violence at home and abroad. There was zero recognition of how our war on Afghanistan would have radicalized him. Instead, he was described as a “thug” or “hoodlum” by the MCs, which included one white drag queen wearing a Clinton campaign button. Backstage, one could spy David Cicilline and Jorge Elorza yucking it up and totally at home in a corporate Pride event.

After the PrYSM action, they decamped from the Pride site and went to India Point Park to hold an alternative evening celebration. While Gina Raimondo and her husband, two people who have made a living off corporate welfare while demonizing pensioners, were greeted with adulation by the crowds at the Pride parade, these people of color were celebrating genuine diversity and actual progressive values.

Statistically speaking, we know that people of color and particularly African Americans are the most Left-leaning voting bloc in both the Democratic Party and the American population. Surveys have shown they are in favor for abortion and LGBTQQI rights, gun control, Affirmative Action, universal healthcare, expansion of Social Security, free college tuition, and even wealth redistribution via a progressive income tax and reparations for slavery or other instances of historic systemic white supremacy.

In other words, these are the people who would be by default akin to Scandinavian social democrats. The reason Bernie Sanders failed to make significant inroads this year with the black vote was because he ran a typical white northern liberal presidential campaign, centering his energies on white middle class population centers known for progressive attitudes, such as college campuses and middle class communities, while failing to reach into the black community population centers in a meaningful fashion, though the younger generation, many of whom are first-generation college students, in certain instances did embrace his candidacy. (How Tad Devine, a native of South Providence, could not figure that one out is truly bizarre.) Indeed, in a recent report on The Real News Network, it was said:

[T]he below of the Democratic party is black folks. We’re about 25 percent of that party. And if our presence was going to transform the party, we’d be seeing a very different kind of party politically. Black folks are the most left-leaning constituency in the United States, that’s been shown generation after generation.

Those facts in the macro sense defined the generational and ethnic gap between the PrYSM and Pride celebrants in the micro sense.

These politically-engaged young people of color did not feel like Bernie Sanders campaigned to them this year and feel like Jorge Elorza is a phony, playing heartstrings with his story of humble upbringing on the West End while failing to vocalize any critique of the financial institutions that are now holding Providence hostage at a time when Wall Street has lower popularity than the Johnston landfill. They understand that they could be the base of a progressive political leader but instead they are ignored by politicians while real estate interests and Brown University gentrify historic black neighborhoods on the East Side, in the West End and South Providence. They know that the Democratic Party is a force trying to destroy their community so to break up their progressive voting bloc’s power in city and state government. These are the points of conversation I had with various activists over the last few days leading up to the Pride action and so define the coordinates of where any actual post-Sanders movement is going.

White progressives should take note.

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June 18, 2016June 19, 2016

PrYSM statement on community safety

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Good afternoon Rhode Island Pride members, Rhode Island government officials, members of LGBTQIA communities, families, friends, and supporters.

Before we begin, we would like to acknowledge that we are standing, marching, parading, and celebrating on stolen Narragansett and Wampanoag lands. We honor the indigenous communities whose lands we are occupying. We also honor the Black and Brown communities who have experienced and continue to experience violence on this land.

We are members, coordinators, and family of the Providence Youth Student Movement, also known as PrYSM. PrYSM organizes at the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation by centering youth, women, queer, and people of color leadership in our campaigns, our organization, and our communities. PrYSM mobilizes queer Southeast Asian youth, families, and allies to build grassroots power and organize collectively for social justice. Our program, Queer and Trans Thursdays creates safe spaces for queer and trans* people of color to advocate for ourselves, support our communities, organize for political empowerment, and build community.

This year, Rhode Island Pride has named PrYSM “Honorary Marshals” for the 40th RI Pride Parade. In addition, RI Pride representatives, in conjunction with Mayor Elorza, supports the over-policing and increased surveillance of RI Pride. According to Options Magazine, RI Pride representatives met on Monday, June 13th, with Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police, the Providence Emergency Management Association, and local business owners, “to review [their] safety plan and coordinate [their] efforts and communication,” after the Orlando mass anti-LGBTQ shooting. As a result of RI Pride and Mayor Elorza’s blatant disregard of the trauma, histories, and experiences of LGBTQ people of color with state violence, PrYSM rejects the position of Honorary Marshal. PrYSM rejects RI Pride’s tokenizing of communities of color. PrYSM rejects RI Pride.

In response to a tragedy where predominantly Latinx and other people of color were murdered, Rhode Island Pride defaulted to encouraging the police and other institutions that perpetuate violence against LGBTQ people of color to violate our communities. It is telling that RI Pride chose to work with local businesses and representatives of State Violence before communicating with the local and grassroots organizations that work to defend marginalized communities every day, and that RI Pride uses for its diversity shots in Pride propaganda.

The roots of Pride are embedded into a history of police violence. The Stonewall Uprising of 1969, and the courage of queer and trans* people of color fighting against police forces that continuously brutalized their communities catalyzed the first American Pride parades of 1970. Pride is a symbol of LGBTQIA communities’ survival against forces of oppression, hatred, and destruction. We must recognize that the police and the oppression they sustain are simply extensions of the violence that took the lives of our queer siblings in Orlando, of our queer siblings overseas slaughtered by U.S. warfare, and our queer communities attacked by the same cops who claim solidarity with us during Pride then beat us once the rainbow flags are lowered.

PrYSM has prioritized community safety since our inception, arising in response to gang violence that put the lives of Southeast Asian Youth at risk. PrYSM will be continuing our legacy of keeping marginalized communities safe and prioritizing the real NEEDS of communities of color. We will be boycotting Pride until RI Pride prioritizes queer and trans people of color.

We are calling for:

– Decreased police presence and surveillance of communities of color during RI Pride
– Financial and programmatic support of local grassroots organizations that seek to find alternatives to the police for community safety
– Rhode Island Pride must make public efforts to support LGBTQIA people facing or experiencing homelessness, to demonstrate support for our most endangered community members
– Rhode Island Pride must encourage other organizations to support the Community Safety Act, a city-wide ordinance that would protect the people of Providence against police misconduct.

PrYSM will be hosting an alternative Pride celebration later tonight at India Point Park from 6pm to 9pm. This celebration is for LGBTQIA-identified or allied people who would like a safe, welcoming, and free space to celebrate our survival and to heal from the violence against our community. If you would like to build community with us, you may speak to one of our coordinators or members to join.

For more information, contact Charles at cchhor@prysm.us or Helen at helen@prysm.us.

From a press release read today by the Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM) at Pride. PrYSM was chosen to serve as honorary marshals of this year’s parade.

June 15, 2016

In the wake of Orlando, the system requires dismantling

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To those who do not know me, my name is Ethan Huckel. I am the board president of TGI Network of RI. I am a queer, transgender man. I am an educator. I am a husband and a father. I asked to speak today because I have words swirling around inside me, longing to be spoken. It’s likely that they will not be eloquent; they may be more raw than polished, more broken than I wish them to be, but if I do not give them voice, I will regret it. If I sink back into the quiet sorrow, instead of standing up to be counted among the mourning, among the angry, I will regret it.

We are here to mourn a palpable loss. I know this because of the tears that have come in waves over the last few days. I can see the hurting in the eyes of those around me. Old wounds ripped fresh. The hugs last a few seconds longer this week.

What we mourn is likely slightly different for each of us. For some, we find ourselves floating through countless memories of dance floors, the havens where we found our family, learned to love, learned our queer history. For some, we have the faces of friends lost seared into our memories. Lives ripped away.

We come together to hold each other close. To mourn. And it is important when we do so to recognize that there are those who have suffered more, endured more, stood up against more. People of color. Trans people. The poor. The disabled.

We come together to mourn. But mourning isn’t enough.

Debates are being waged about the terms we affix to this moment. “Terrorism,” as if this hatred was born in some foreign land, of some foreign principles. This hate is ours to own. It is American hate. It was born in our systems, nursed by our bigotry, strengthened by our politics, and armed by our guns.

We hear the question being asked, “When will it be enough?” When will these senseless deaths push the pendulum toward Justice? How many people have to die before we fix the system? I understand these questions, I feel them. They are founded in sadness and desperation, but they are founded on a false premise. The system is not broken. It is a system of oppression and it is working just fine. In this system, politicians use queer people as the bait to rally the hate of voters. In this system, the words “black lives matter” are seen as a threat. In this system, some schools provide education, while others funnel black bodies into prisons. In this system, trans and gender nonconforming bodies are treated like an affront to other people’s safety. In this system, women are left bruised and bleeding behind dumpsters, while the safety of white boys is protected. Oppression intersects in a vast web. A web that has been skillfully woven to keep power in the hands of the few.

This is not a system that needs fixing. This is a system that needs dismantling.

Yes, we come here together today to mourn. To some of us, mourning looks like weeping. To some, mourning looks like rage.

We have fought for change before. We have staged sit ins, held rallies, testified in our state houses and before congress. We have taken our fight to the streets. The Black Cat Tavern. Compton’s Cafeteria. Stonewall.

The Bay Bridge Shut Down.

We have fought for change before, and we have won.

Let us not go back into the quiet of our homes, waiting for the next tragedy.

Let us not sit back resigned to violence, or to racial profiling, or to police brutality, or to the gun lobby, or to an onslaught of political attacks.

Let us use the candles we light in mourning to fuel the fire of our souls.

Let us fight.

June 15, 2016June 15, 2016

RI mourns Orlando, demands action at Pulse memorial service

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Rhode Island continues to respond to the terrible events that took place at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in beautiful, moving and powerful ways. Last night hundreds gathered at the Roger Williams National Memorial, the site of our state’s very first Pride event 40 years ago, in solidarity, mourning and empowerment.

With long-time LGBTQ activist Kate Monteiro acting as introduction and organizer, a series of speakers that included clergy, advocates, and government officials spoke to the crowd about LGBTQ rights, violence, homophobia, Islamophobia and guns.

Dr. Wendy Manchester Ibrahim, of the RI Council for Muslim Advancement told the crowd that she and the RI Muslim community stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community in Rhode Island in denouncing the terrible actions of the Orlando shooter. The crowd reacted with enthusiasm and support.

Ethan Huckel, board president of TGI Network of RI, urged those in attendance to dismantle the system of oppression that allows such outrages to happen, saying, “The system is not broken. It is a system of oppression and it is working just fine. In this system, politicians use queer people as the bait to rally the hate of voters. In this system, the words “black lives matter” are seen as a threat. In this system, some schools provide education, while others funnel black bodies into prisons. In this system, trans and gender nonconforming bodies are treated like an affront to other people’s safety. In this system, women are left bruised and bleeding behind dumpsters, while the safety of white boys is protected.”

Fernando Gonzale, representing YPI (Youth Pride RI), said that the attack in Orlando compelled him to put aside his shyness and speak to the large crowd. Gonzale, a 17 year old gay Latino, said, “Unfortunately this week stopped being about marriage and rights and it turned into being about being a life and death situation, about survival.”

Both Governor Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza called for a ban on assault rifles. Jennifer Smith Boylan, of Moms Demand Action, talked of the seeming futility of passing common sense gun legislation at the State House, where Speaker Nicholas Mattiello simply allows bills to die. State Senators Donna Nesselbush and Josh Miller left the State House while in session to join the rally, the only two General Assembly members to do so. It became clear that if Rhode wants to do something about gun violence, we’ll need a new legislature.

Below, please video and pictures of all the speakers at the memorial.

June 15, 2016June 15, 2016

Can we Christians examine our political sins?

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“Darkness cannot drive out
darkness; only light can do
that. Hate cannot drive out
hate; only love can do that.”
Dr. Martin Luther King

After 400 years of terror, isn’t it time for all Christians to speak out against ‘Radical Christian Extremism?’

Slavery was terrorism: Plantations were concentration camps. The Native American genocide was terrorism: The Trail of Tears was a death march. Hangings by slave patrols and the Ku Klux Klan were terrorism: These murders—often perpetrated or approved by white ‘Christians’—were intended to grieve, horrify and intimidate blacks.

Virtually all who committed these acts of terrorism claimed they were Christians.

This radical Christian extremism persists. Militant Christians still verbally and physically attack gays and blacks, Muslims and immigrants. They justify their hate by appealing to Jesus and the Bible.

Actually, the word ‘Christian’ may not apply to any who perpetrate these horrors. Should terrorists be called radical ‘Christian’ extremists? Their claims of following the tenets of Christianity are wholly false. More than a billion Christians should not be smeared by those committing acts of terrorism. Their crimes are perversions of Christianity.

The same is true of radical ‘Muslim’ extremists. Their claims of following the tenets of Islam are wholly false. More than a billion Muslims should not be smeared by those committing such acts. Their crimes are perversions of Islam.

Many Republican leaders, especially Donald Trump, disagree—along with many voters in the base of the Republican party. Why? Must all Muslims bear responsibility for those claiming acts of terrorism are a legitimate expression of Islam?

This political blame is based on fear and hatred. These are not Christian motives. As stated in I John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out all fear.” Also, Jesus insisted Christians must love, not hate, their enemies. He modeled this love throughout his life and even during his crucifixion.

We must contend with our fears: our fears of blacks; our fears of gays; our fears of Muslims; our fears of immigrants. Unchallenged fears result in misplaced rage and scapegoating of ‘the other.’ This leads to verbal attacks and violence against hated groups.

Racism and homophobia are repulsive. Islamophobia and xenophobia are abhorrent.

Insisting all Americans oppose Muslim immigration or be castigated as purveyors of politically correctness is obscene. Yes, we must seek to be correct—politically and morally—but we can only do so, as the Apostle Paul states, by “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).

What is the truth? Muslims are our neighbors. Muslims are soldiers serving our country. Muslims are patriotic citizens. And Muslims are no more deserving of prejudice than Christians.

What does love require? We must treat the vast majority of Muslims as neighbors, not enemies. We must respond with compassion to the extraordinary hardships of refugees, including Muslims. We must see Muslims as human beings—people who have far more in common with us than differences.

Love also requires those of us judging others must first judge ourselves. Jesus was explicit: Before taking the speck out of our neighbor’s eye, we must remove the log from our own eye.

Those using a broad brush to paint all Muslims with the taint of terrorism imagine falsehoods. Let’s reject our biases and diligently seek truth.

Moreover, let’s ask to what degree our Christian community is responsible for historic acts of terrorism which executed and enslaved millions. Orlando, San Bernardino, Paris and even 9-11 are horrific singular acts of terror. Contrast these with the multitudes of ‘Christian’ atrocities spanning centuries.

Does evil and apathy prevail among American Christians? Could it be that we Christians really do need to account for the log in our eye?

We can choose to scapegoat those having nothing to do with perpetrating terror attacks. Or we can conscientiously oppose such evil massacres, come together, foster unity, and overcome our fears and hatred by speaking the truth in love.

June 14, 2016June 14, 2016

At Pulse vigil, RI LGBTQ community confronts intersectionality

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On the steps of the State House, while coming together in solidarity around the terrible tragedy in Orlando at the Pulse nightclub, the LGBTQ community in Providence found itself challenged from within to strive for greater inclusion and a widening of concern for all people, not just the privileged few.

When Joe Wilson, a Trinity Rep actor, took the microphone, he was well received and applauded for his words.

“I am reminded that this movement is composed of many different kinds of people,” said Wilson, “And I am moved by the fact that what happened in Orlando happened on a ‘Latin night.’ Many of the young people in the bar were being outed as a result of being shot at. Being outed as a result of their parents searching for them in both morgues and hospitals. And we have to stop allowing [that] the only way that people of color are being allowed to come out of the closet is after they’re being shot and maimed and abused.”

Wilson also said, “We have to remind ourselves that this movement, this gay equality movement, can’t be a movement exclusively for the privileged… and for my white brethren, I’m going to go there for a moment – It has to be a movement that includes black [and] Latino…

“This movement is about money. This movement is about economic equality. This movement is about jailing folks that don’t need to have these sentences for having a bag of weed.

“Our issues go far beyond marriage… The gay rights movement needs an autopsy… How do we include black? How do we include Latin folks? How do we include the transgendered community? How do we speak intelligently about people using bathrooms?”

It was towards the end of the speaking program that Vanessa Flores-Maldonado spoke. She politely interrupted the proceedings and asked permission to speak. Flores-Maldonado talked about her discomfort at the idea of a greater police presence at the Pride event this Saturday, police added due to heightened concerns after the Pulse shooting in Orlando.

“How am I, a queer person of color, a queer woman of color, supposed to feel safe?” Flores-Maldonado asked, “We need to remember that Stonewall happened because trans-women of color had enough of police riots.”

Flores-Maldonado was not as well received as Wilson. Had she somehow made a point different from Wilson’s? Some in the crowd yelled that Flores-Maldonado should shut up. The organizers of the speaking program seemed concerned about losing control of the crowd. Calling for inclusion was one thing, talking about police violence against LGBTQ persons of color was too much somehow. Mayor Elorza, after all, was standing right there.

Flores-Maldonado’s microphone was cut off. Tensions rose. Flores-Maldonado continued to talk to the crowd without a microphone. Her voice, her lived experience was literally being silenced. Organizers attempted to get the speaking program back on track. It was suggested that she bring her concerns to the mayor’s office. “The mayor doesn’t like me,” said Flores-Maldonado.

The crowd began chanting, “Let her speak! Let her speak!”

Eventually, Flores-Maldonado was given back the microphone. She said, “For those of you who were telling me to shut up, and to have the mic taken away from me, you’re not listening to what I’m saying. What I am saying is that I do not feel safe in my skin color when there are police around.”

Flores-Maldonado was the only woman to speak at the event. Had she not spoken up, no women would have spoken. Her message was no different than Joe Wilson’s. But Flores-Maldonado was challenging privilege in the moment, demanding immediate consideration of her concerns.

“Along with marking where we’ve come we need to mark where we yet need to go,” said Wilson towards the end of his speech.

Flores-Maldonado was talking about the now.

June 14, 2016

Providence holds massive vigil for Orlando shooting victims

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The Vigil for Orlando drew a crowd of anywhere from 600 to 900 people, marching through the streets of Providence from The Dark Lady on Snow Street to the steps of the State House. Holding candles and signs, members of the LGBTQ community, with family friends and allies, sang songs and chatted. The mood was both somber and joyous in turn. As the sun set, the sight of hundreds of candles moving through the city streets was hauntingly beautiful.

On the steps of the State House, speakers, including Mayor Jorge Elorza, spoke of the history of violence against LGBTQ people their long struggle for civil rights, and what needs to be done in the future to prevent these kinds of terrorist hate crimes from taking place.

You can view the entirety of the march here in the video below, as well as listen to all the speakers in the videos that follow the photos.

June 13, 2016August 2, 2016

Rhode Island responds to the Pulse tragedy

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The Dark Lady/Alley Cat are holding a vigil tonight (Monday 8pm). Folks will gather at 17 Snow St. Providence and as of this writing march to the State House.

“Please join us for a candellight vigil Monday in honor of those lost, injured, families, friends, and community. We will meet between 8:00-8:30pm and walk to the State House. More details will follow please share and feel free to post here. xoxo, The Dark Lady & Alleycat and Stable Family”

A Memorial Service for Pulse Massacre is being planned for Tuesday, June 14, from 6-8pm at the Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 North Main Street, Providence. Directions: https://www.nps.gov/rowi/planyourvisit/directions.htm

The service is being co-planned by RI Pride, the Religious Coalition for a Violence-Free Rhode Island and others.

Governor Raimondo is scheduled to be at the vigil on Tuesday.

Members of the LGBTQ community, and allies from throughout the state will gather to mourn the dead, remember the wounded in body and spirit, and proclaim our strength, our hope, and our love.

Please join your brothers and sisters, in this important moment.

We are Pulse; we are Orlando; we are Rhode Island.

RI Pride statement on Rhode Island PrideFest and Night Parade Safety Concerns
“In the wake of the tragic killings in Orlando, Rhode Island Pride has reviewed its Safety Plan for this weekend’s PrideFest and Parade. Prior to this past weekend’s tragedy, Rhode Island Pride had already recognized that growing attendance numbers required significant improvements and took steps to supplement our all-volunteer Safety Team with a trained, private security firm, and worked more closely with the Providence Police Department to ensure their police detail were better positioned throughout the event. Our First Aid Station is provided by the RI Disaster Medical Assistance Team and they are fully prepared and trained for any incidents. We are confident that we already had coverage in place that to make our attendees feel safe and secure.”Today, Rhode Island Pride representatives met with Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police, the Providence Emergency Management Association, other public safety officials, and our local business owners, to review our safety plan and coordinate our efforts and communication. There will be a significantly increased law enforcement presence at this year’s PrideFest and Parade with the RI State Police supplementing the Providence Police, and we have every reason to believe this will be a safe and enjoyable 40th anniversary celebration.”For those attending PrideFest and the Parade, we ask that if you see something suspicious, say something immediately to a law enforcement officer or a RI Pride volunteer. Be aware of your surroundings, limit the size of your bags and do not leave them unattended. Most importantly, remember that this is a celebration of our community and the progress that we have made in the past 40 years – we will not let hate and fear send us back to the closet. Be proud!”

The Rhode Island State Council of Churches issued the following statement:

“Our nation is reeling in the wake of yet another horrific mass shooting, this time our nation’s deadliest. In response to this heinous event that ended at least fifty lives, left many more wounded, and broke hearts worldwide, we, the religious leaders of Rhode Island, call on our communities to pray for healing and wholeness amidst our brokenness. Empowered by our relationship to the Divine, we endeavor to stand up and speak out against all acts of violence.”As people of faith, we voice our loving support for the people of Orlando, the LGBTQ community and our Muslim neighbors. The terror that ensued has affected us all and we will not rest until we assure that such terror will not happen again.”We are inherently concerned about the increasing violence in our society and we commit to bringing it to an end. Working in solidarity we will move our nation from darkness to light. Together we will bring our communities from despair to hope. We will not give in to fear!”In the face of such hatred and anger, we are called to elevate love. We are called to pursue justice, and we are called to bring about an enduring peace for all people in all places, regardless of faith tradition, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.”

RI celebrates Pride this weekend. Pride will be reviewing security for the event with city and state officials today.

There is also an effort underway to remember the victims of the Pulse shooting by wearing black armbands at Pride this weekend. The following note has been making the rounds on Facebook.

“In response to the hate crime at Pulse Orlando, Rhode Island community members have entered a group in the Pride Parade this Saturday, to remember the victims of hate crimes and celebrate Queer and Trans resilience.

You will recognize us at the staging area by our signs. All are welcome to join. All are also encouraged to make signs.
“This is an apolitical contingent, so please let your signage reflect the theme of remembrance and resilience.

Please note that the night of the attack was Latinx night, and largely attended by People of Color, who are not only disproportionately victims of this attack but of anti-Queer/Trans hate crimes in general. So let your signage reflect themes of intersectionality in addition to remembrance and resilience.

“There will be black arm bands available for everyone, including those who are already committed to other groups but wish to observe in that way.”

Representative James Langevin issued the following statement:

“We awoke today to another headline about senseless violence, and yet we are astonished and heartbroken once again with news of the worst mass shooting in United States history. We can never understand or explain the hate that drives someone to commit an atrocity such as this. What we need right now is to reach out to those affected and show our support, because while we mourn as a nation, we cannot allow hate to invade our own hearts or minds. America is better than that.

“This is a tragedy beyond comprehension, and I join the chorus of prayers for both the families of the victims and also the injured who continue to suffer. I pray that no more lives are lost in the wake of this attack.

“My heart breaks for Orlando, and for the LGBT community nationwide. We recognize Pride Month in June, and last night’s shooting was an attack on the very values for which Pride Month stands. The victims were gathered in what should have been a safe space for them to be true to themselves and celebrate our shared belief that all people should be treated equally, and no one should be subjected to violence or discrimination.

“The details of the case continue to unfold, but I have every confidence that local law enforcement, in conjunction with the FBI, will fully investigate what is believed to be an act of terrorism. As a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I will monitor the investigation closely and in the coming weeks and months I hope my colleagues will come together and take action to ensure we no longer have to wake to headlines of violence. For now, we pray for Orlando, but prayers alone are not enough.”

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV) has issued the following statement:

“The tragedy in Orlando, Florida is just the latest reminder that access to deadly weapons of war like the AR-15 has irreversible consequences. The families and friends of the 103 victims will be forever affected and forever wondering why. Our lax gun laws turned hatred into horrific violence in Orlando last night.

“Once again, our Senators and Congressmen send out their tweets, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this horrendous act in ______________________(fill in the blank).

“The RI Coalition Against Gun Violence is demanding that instead of offering “thoughts and prayers” to the 103 victims of the recent Florida shooting, the general assembly starts voting bills out of committee to make all Rhode Islanders safer.

“Many States including Massachusetts and Connecticut have laws to prevent domestic violence abusers from access to guns. Many States including Massachusetts and Connecticut have banned High capacity magazines. Almost every State including Massachusetts and Connecticut do not allow concealed carry of firearms on K-12 School property.

“Yet, for 3 years in a row, these bills are being “held for further study” here in Rhode Island. You can study your way through law school in three years.

“How much more study do we need to pass common sense legislation to keep guns away from domestic violence abusers (HB 7283, SB2730)? Do we need to wait any longer to ban high capacity magazines over 10 rounds (HB 7199/SB 2835)? Do we need to wait for a tragedy at our K-12 School grounds before we pass HB 7243/ SB 2761)?

“We are urging the Governor, the Speaker and the Senate President to do everything necessary to have these bills voted out of committee. It is time for the Judiciary Committees to stop hiding behind a pretext of study. In a recent poll, the vast majority of Rhode Islanders said they want a vote. It is time to respect not only their wishes but their health and safety as well. We want a vote.

“The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence is an organization that was created by concerned citizens of Rhode Island. The organization came to be in 2013 after the Rhode Island General Assembly failed to pass common sense gun legislation. We recognize gun violence as a public health issue. Using common sense means and methods, we seek to reduce injuries and deaths from gun violence.”

Representative David Cicilline‘s statement on the Pulse Tragedy:

“Like all Rhode Islanders, I am keeping the people of Orlando, the victims, their families and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers today.”

“It’s outrageous that LGBT Americans continue to be the targets of such horrific hatred and violence in 2016. Don’t let anyone tell you that we have full equality in this country. LGBT people are not political wedge issues – we are human beings and we are entitled to full equality under the law. I hope that, in the aftermath of this horrific shooting, our country will move towards greater love and acceptance of all Americans.”

“Lastly, it is absolutely infuriating to read reports that this shooter used an assault weapon to murder 50 innocent people and wound 53 more. It just should not be this easy for someone to walk into a gun store and walk out armed with a weapon of war that is designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible.”

“As we saw in Charleston last year, lone wolf terrorists are a threat to all of us. We simply cannot continue to live in a country where it’s easier to buy an AR-15 than it is to buy cold medicine.

“Access to these weapons is a threat to our public safety, and it’s time for Republicans in Congress to come to the table and restore some sanity to our nation’s gun laws.”

Full video and statement from President Barrack Obama on the tragedy here.

Senator Jack Reed writes, “This was a horrific attack. Our condolences go out to the victims and their families, and our thanks to the brave first responders and fellow citizens who did everything they could to help. While investigators are still gathering all the facts, the shooter was clearly a hate-filled individual. His bigotry has no place in our society. We are a resilient nation and we stand in solidarity with the LGBT community. Right now there are more questions than answers, but law enforcement will get to the bottom of this and every federal resource will be made available to ensure they do.”

Speaker Nicholas Mattiello wrote his first ever tweet about the tragedy, but some took issue with the Speaker, asking him to pass some common sense gun bills out of committee and bring them to the floor for a vote.

GPSJenn wrote, “@RISpeaker thoughts & prayers? That’s all you got? U r a lawmaker. Make some laws. Shooter was a wife beater. Pass H7575 to make #RI safer.”

His A+ rating from the NRA was noted as well.

Governor Gina Raimondo has ordered that all flags be lowered to half-mast “until sunset on June 16, 2016 in honor of the victims of the shooting in Orlando.” This is in accordance with President Barrack Obama‘s national proclamation.

Her full statement:

“In accordance with a Presidential Proclamation, Governor Gina M. Raimondo has ordered U.S. and Rhode Island flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and buildings. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on June 16, 2016 in honor of the victims of the shooting in Orlando.

“‘We woke up this morning to horrific news – a senseless, cowardly mass shooting in Orlando. It’s an act of terror. It’s an act of hatred. And it has no place in our communities. Like so many, I feel incredible sadness and outrage,’ Raimondo said.

“‘Our prayers are with the victims and their loved ones, but we must do more than pray. It is time to take greater action to keep America safe,’ Raimondo continued. ‘I also want our LGBT brothers and sisters in Rhode Island to know that our hearts are with you – we will redouble our efforts to keep you safe and free from fear, and commit to building a more peaceful, more tolerant society.’

“There are no specific threats in Rhode Island at this time, but the Governor remains in close touch with Colonel O’Donnell of the State Police, and security efforts will be increased around Pride festivities.

“Raimondo also asks Rhode Islanders to lower their flags as a mark of respect.”

RI Pride‘s statement on the tragedy in Orlando can be read here.

In the wake of the terrible incident at the Orlando nightclub, AIDS Project RI and the Family Services of RI shared some tips:

S.A.F.E.T.Y. tips in a Rhode Island Parent Magazine article written by Family Service of RI’s Dr. Susan Erstling. Read the article by clicking here.

To see a range of tips on related subjects, visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network page in response to terrorist acts by clicking here. See a tips page from Family Service of RI by clicking here.

June 13, 2016June 13, 2016

Memorial services for Pulse tragedy tonight, tomorrow in Providence

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The Dark Lady/Alley Cat are holding a vigil tonight (Monday 8pm). Folks will gather at 17 Snow St. Providence and, as of this writing, march to the State House.

A Memorial Service for Pulse Massacre is planned for Tuesday, June 14, from 6-8pm at the Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 North Main Street, Providence. Directions: https://www.nps.gov/rowi/planyourvisit/directions.htm

The service is being co-planned by RI Pride, the Religious Coalition for a Violence-Free Rhode Island and others.

Governor Gina Raimondo is scheduled to be there.

Members of the LGBTQ community, and allies from throughout the state will gather to mourn the dead, remember the wounded in body and spirit, and proclaim our strength, our hope, and our love.

Please join your brothers and sisters, in this important moment.

We are Pulse; we are Orlando; we are Rhode Island.

June 12, 2016June 12, 2016

RI Pride on the tragedy in Orlando

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Rhode Island Pride and the RI LGBTQ Center stand together in solidarity with those touched by the recent mass shooting at Orlando’s Pulse LGBT club.

Our hearts are with our Florida brothers and sisters, their families and all those affected by this senseless act. We lament the agonizing loss of life, and we are renewed in our commitment to create a safer world.

The vibrant light of our LGBTQ community will not be extinguished by violence or terror.

[From a press release]

June 10, 2016

Speaker explains reasoning behind Youth Pride RI funding cuts

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Many worthwhile organizations doing important work found out that they had lost their grants when the budget was unveiled. Among those is Youth Pride Inc. (YPI). Having lost their Community Service Grant, the group now faces a $50 thousand shortfall. YPI is the only group in Rhode Island that specifically serves the needs of LGBTQ youth in the state.

YPI has sent an email to supporters, asking them to contact their legislators in the hope of having these funds restored.

We are asking our supporters to let the state know how valuable and important Youth Pride Inc.’s work with LGBTQQ youth is to our state and community. Let them know we are the only organization providing support and advocacy for LGBTQ youth in the state! Let them know that these youth need our organization!

“Please reach out to the Speaker of the House and Senate President immediately in support of YPI and the vital work that we do for LGBTQQ youth in Rhode Island TODAY. The Senate President can be contacted at: 401-222-6655 and the Speaker of the House can be reached at: 401-222-2466. Please reach out to your Representative as well.”

At yesterday’s House Budget briefing, I asked Speaker Nicholas Mattiello about the cuts to the program. He said that YPI serves a “very worthwhile purpose” but added, “Those services, needs, potentially are being serviced elsewhere.”

In the case of YPI, the Speaker said that he had heard the suggestion that, “guidance counselors in the school are in fact providing [these services]. Not specifically [for LGBTQ youth] but it’s something that is being addressed through other means.”

Given the range of services and programs YPI provides that specifically cater to the needs of LGBTQ youth in Rhode Island, it’s unlikely that guidance counselors are filling that need or have the time and ability to do so. That said, Mattiello, added towards the end of his statements, “We’ll take a look at [YPI] and we’ll see if it’s unique enough to fund.”

Representative Joseph Almeida entered the Budget Briefing late and asked about other worthwhile groups that have been denied funding, including the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) which has provided employment training and placement opportunities since 2010 and the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence which works to reduce homicides and support victims of violence.

“It’s like all the poor people got cut, cut, cut,” said Almeida, who said afterwards that he was speaking from his heart, “Can’t you take money from Crossroads and give to people who really need it teaching peace in the streets and teaching people how to get jobs? I mean Crossraods? What? What do they do?”

Crossroads RI received $300,000 in the budget.

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016

ProJo’s coverage of stabbing ‘disrespectful and dangerous’

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When the Providence Journal first reported the story about a transgender woman stabbed early Saturday in South Providence, it not only reported her name, it reported her birth name. This is, in the words of Ethan Huckel, board president of TGI Network of RI, “disrespectful and dangerous, because it has the potential to out her as transgender.”

Huckel explained, “This is not only a violation of her privacy, but, depending on her personal circumstances, could jeopardize her safety.”

The ProJo corrected this lapse of judgement and the story no longer contains the victim’s birth name, but the click-bait titling of the story, which refers to the woman as a “transgender prostitute” is also problematic.

The ProJo provides no corroboration that the woman was a prostitute. The headline reports that “police say” the woman is a prostitute, but such a claim is both unsubstantiated and irrelevant. As Ethan Huckel again explains, referring to the victim as a prostitute “shifts the focus of the report away from the attack and insinuates that [the victim] is somehow responsible. TGI Network of RI urges the media to use restraint and critical thought when reporting on this assault.”

As a reporter I know how tempting it is to go for the easy, click bait headline, but the victim of this crime deserves our compassion and respect. She should not be reduced to an object, gratifying our salacious curiosity.

As of Tuesday the police were still working to determine if the attack was a hate crime. In deference to the victim’s privacy we have chosen not to link to the original story.

April 18, 2016

Sanders’ Wall Street plan is ‘incoherent’ says Barney Frank

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Former Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank was in Providence Monday morning campaigning for Hillary Clinton in the form of an interview with RI Treasurer Seth Magaziner. The Congressperson was the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee from 2007-2011 and the Frank half of the Dodd-Frank Act, a major reform of the financial industry signed into law under Obama.

Frank says that the United States is trapped in a vicious cycle: People have lost confidence in a government that responds to their needs, so they elect anti-government candidates who produce a government that is even worse than before. Frank believes that the only way out of this is to elect Hillary Clinton as president.

Bernie Sanders, says Frank, is being too critical of anything that falls short of his own lofty ideals. Frank thinks this is a mistake and strongly disagrees with this way of thinking.

“Almost every representative committed to progressive change is for Hillary Clinton,” says Frank, including the entire congressional LGBT caucus and every member of the Black caucus, save one. This isn’t because they are part of the “establishment” says Frank, but because they are committed to progressive change.

2016-04-18 Barney Frank 02 — Seth Magaziner and Barney Frank

“If you tell people it’s either revolution or nothing worth fighting for,” says Frank, “you open up the not-voting behavior.”

As for taking money from Wall Street, Franks says that Sander’s idea that politicians taking money from businesses they want to change cannot be counted on “goes against every person I’ve ever served with.”

Frank then went into his experiences passing Dodd-Frank, which reversed 12 years of a Republican-controlled Congress loosening the regulations that controlled Wall Street. He noted Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed’s contributions to that process.

Sander’s promise to break up the big banks makes no sense to Frank. The problem “isn’t that institutions are too big, it’s that they had more debt than they could handle.”

Frank says that he helped pass legislation to prevent too much indebtedness. “AIG couldn’t happen today,” he says. He helped to outlaw sub-prime loans and increased the companies on-hand capitol.

“General Electric got out of the financial business because of these laws,” says Frank.

Under Frank’s legislation, regulators can look at a company’s holdings and in the event that it looks dangerous, can order divestment. Clinton’s plan to regulate Wall St would lower the bar for divestment, giving her enhanced authority to order divestment.

In contrast, says Frank, Sanders isn’t coherent on this issue. “How can you say something is too big if you don’t know what size it should be?” asks Frank.

“Hillary,” says Frank, “understands how it all works.”

Clinton’s tax policy was also touched upon. As President she wants to tax high frequency stock trades and tax hedge funds as income. Frank objects to Sander’s “McCarthy-ite suggestion that she’s soft on these issues because of the money she accepts.”

Clinton will increase taxes on people making more than $1 million and especially those who make more than $5 million, says Frank.

When asked about health care, Frank was not in favor of introducing single-payer system, at least not quickly. “People need to be shown how this can be done,” said Frank. “I think Sanders will be a disaster [on health care],” says Frank, “People are not ready to have a tax increase to pay for universal health care.”

Clinton will crack down on big pharma pricing, prevent tax dodging of companies incorporating overseas and expand health care, says Frank.

Frank, who was among the first openly gay members of Congress, ended with some words on LGBT rights. “Though Sanders has always voted the right way on LGBT issues there is near unanimous support in the LGBT community for Hillary,” he said.

Clinton’s Supreme Court picks, Frank said, will help reverse the Hobby Lobby decision and uphold legislation, like the kind being worked on by RI Representative David Cicilline, to prevent private action discrimination against LGBT people.

One final note: Frank did say that if Sanders wins the nomination, “Of course I’ll campaign for him.”

April 7, 2016April 7, 2016

Raimondo will tell PayPal RI is ‘progressive place’ for business

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After I tweeted about it, Republican state Rep. Bobby Nardolillo wrote the governor about it, and the Providence Journal asked her about it, Gina Raimondo said she will invite to Rhode Island PayPal and other companies uncomfortable doing business in North Carolina because of a new law that legalizes discrimination against LGBTQ people.

“I am calling all of them” Raimondo said, according to a Providence Journal story. “I am saying to them we are a place of openness and tolerance in Rhode Island and it is a progressive place to start a business.”

PayPal is on the list, Raimondo spokeswoman Marie Aberger told RI Future. “The Governor is constantly reaching out to pitch businesses looking to move or expand, and is reaching out to PayPal to urge them to take a look at Rhode Island now that they have cancelled plans in NC,” she said in an email.

PayPal planned to move 400 jobs to Charlotte, North Carolina but rescinded after North Carolina passed a highly controversial law that strips discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and requires people to use public bathrooms that correspond to their birth gender. Other states, such as Montana, have already contacted PayPal.

While Raimondo touted Rhode Island’s progressive values, she has yet to issue a public sector travel ban to North Carolina, according to the Providence Journal. “I don’t oppose [a travel ban] per se, it’s just that there are many ways to show your support for [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] issues and we are taking other steps,” Raimondo said according to the Providence Journal. “Other states are doing it as a gesture, a symbol to take a stand against that intolerance. We in Rhode Island are going to take a stand against it by showing that this is a place that embraces all people and is a place of freedom and tolerance.”

Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Washington and Minnesota have all banned state sponsored travel to North Carolina, citing their inability to ensure the civil liberties of its employees and citizens in the Tar Heel state.

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