35th Annual R.I. Pride Draws Thousands to Providence

The 35th annual Rhode Island Pride on Saturday, June 18, featured sunny skies, lots of heat and passionate performances from several local entertainers.

This year's theme, "I am, you are, we are a revolution", was meant to convey the revolutionary changes that have occurred in the fight for LGBT equality over the last four decades.

Thousands of people flooded the streets of Providence to cheer on the marchers and floats featured in the Nighttime Illuminated Parade. It began at the corner of Empire and Weybosset Streets and proceeded to City Hall, where the reviewing stand was set up.

Governor Lincoln Chafee, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and former WPRI news anchor Karen Adams were the parade's grand marshals. Chafee is the first governor who has endorsed a gay Pride celebration in the state.

One of the floats featured a tribute to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". Another featured a Lady Gaga impersonator popping out of a giant egg.

PFLAG, the Providence Gay Men's Chorus, Marriage Equality Rhode Island, Youth Pride, Inc., and SeaQuel (Southeast Asian Queers United for Empowerment and Leadership), a program of the Providence Youth Student Movement, were among the organizations that participated in the parade.

This year's festival was held for a second year in a row on South Water Street alongside the Providence River. In past years the event was held at Station Park, across from the State House.

Belle Pellegrino, a veteran of the first Rhode Island Pride celebration in 1976, reflected on the 35th anniversary: "It's just amazing to see how it's grown through all the years," she said.

The organizers of that event had to go to court to fight for the right to have Pride events in the city of Providence. The small group of participants were taunted and harassed by onlookers. It was not an easy time to be openly gay or lesbian.

Another one of the "76ers", Billy Mencer-Ackerly, said he felt "fantastic" about being at Pride this year. Mencer-Ackerly was 25 at the first parade in 1976 and has been to every one since.

"Every year I've been able to see it change and grow," he said.

Pellegrino and Mencer-Ackerly were also delighted to see a sitting governor lend his support to Pride, noting Chafee has been a loyal supporter of Rhode Island's LGBT community for many years, including his time in the U.S. Senate.

This year's headliner was Thelma Houston, who sang "Don't Leave Me This Way" and other hits.

Pride also featured special performances from the King and Queen of Pride, Miss Gay RI Victoria Star, Mr. Gay RI Jesse Ciolfi, Miss Lesbian RI Lisa DeCesare, Kid Akimbo, Ariel Aparicio, Mary Day Band, B-Hive, Baby Oil, Jackie Collins, Sister Funk, Candace Brooks Band, Young Kaii, Tiptons Sax Quartet, the Imperial Court of Rhode Island and Sabrina Blaze. Emcees included Miss Kitty Litter, Jacqueline DiMera, Vi'Let, Haley Star and Genesis.

Vendors manned booths all along South Water Street, selling Pride merchandise, including clothing, jewelry and other trinkets. AIDS Care Ocean State, AIDS Project Rhode Island and the Human Rights Campaign all also on hand to gather support for their organizations.

"The one thing that I love so much about the Rhode Island Pride festival is that we have the best and possibly the only Illuminated Pride parade and I love how it is the highlight and grand finale for the event," said Joe Gasco of Burrillville.

Gasco preferred the festival to be held at Station Park as it had been in past years; but Kim Stowell, editor of the monthly LGBT newspaper Options described it "as another great festival."

"The nighttime parade is such a spectacle, and so unique," she said. "I was at the corner of Empire and Washington and had no safety concerns. The crowd was very friendly and cooperative, moving back when a truck or float needed to round the corner, and keeping the view clear for the guy in our midst who was using a wheelchair. I heard good things from about the police presence; that they were helpful and courteous."

Smithfield resident Jerry White agreed, and he praised Chafee for his participation.

"It's nice to have a governor respect diversity for a change," he said.