This weekend, RI's GLBTQQI community celebrated it's 32nd PrideFest celebration. In 1976 (yep, the year I was born), individuals who believed it is essential that male and female sexual minorities have avenues to educate the larger community and opportunities to come together and openly celebrate who they are began to organize a first ever pride parade. State and City leaders attempted to block the parade, but those early organizers pursued litigation which eventually led to a court ruling allowing this “pride” event to take place. About 75 individuals marched through downtown Providence to celebrate their diversity and to highlight the contributions they had made to the wider community. Thus was born the group that would become the Rhode Island Pride. The numbers swelled to an estimated 24,000 participants this year, and I was one of them.

It was actually the first time I have ever attended Pride. I know, I should be ashamed. I have actually always worked when the party was going down so I never got to go. I was on vacation this week so I was free. I was a little nervous because I always get lost in Providence when left to my own navigational skills, but it all worked out.

The main portion of the festival was hosted in Burnside Park, which is named after Civil General Ambrose Burnside. For those of you interested, he is also where we get the term sideburns. Yep, you guessed it! He had mutton chops. This is a picture of his statue in the park:

The park is dominated by a beautiful fountain at it's center. I have included a nighttime picture of it here:


Throughout the park, all sorts of vendors had set up shop. Everything from artists showing off their wares (most of which was GLBTQQI themed) to political booths (think marriage equity, gay domestic violence, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU) to social groups of all sorts. The big surprise was the business. Most of the major banks in the state had tents. Cox Communications, our major cable company was there with stars from That Gay Comedy Show, a hit from our newly available Logo Network. You could even buy storm windows! I know, I have no idea about the last one.

I signed a few petitions and bought some wares, which I mentioned in my last post, the survey.

One of the cool things was meeting people and seeing everyone just being comfortable with holding hands and such. There was a huge section of the park dedicated to the kids in attendance. They had games and activities with accompanying prizes and performers. I did run into a few people that I knew. One was one of the kids from the library. I did not know that she was a lesbian. She screamed and ran over, almost tackling me to the ground when she saw me. That was kind of cool.

I also ran into another one of the kids from the library, though, he probably can't be considered a kid anymore since he graduated from college this year. I always suspected that he was gay and made some of the great teen novels with gay themes available for him whenever they came in. He also was thrilled to see me. I was glad because I had not seen him in sole long. He is one of the first young adults that I got to work with at the library.

There were a number of librarians that I know there. That wasn't really all that surprising. We seem to have a good representation in the profession.

I also met my good friend Doug. He is an e-pal. It is kind of funny because we had never really met. We only chat on line pretty regularly. He vlogs (video blogging) rather than blogs. It was kind of neat running into him. I am including his blog from today here so you can see some of the sites in motion:

He was there early in the day before a good chunk of the crowds got there.

Next to the park is the Bank of America City Center, which hosts an ice rink during the winter months. Yesterday it was transformed into the Beer Garden and Concert Arena. We had wonderful hosts, RI's popular drag queen Miss Kitty Litter and her often performance partner Sabrina Blaze.


The music and performances were kicked off with the national anthem sung by Jackie Collins. No, it was not the star of Dynasty, but an African American drag queen whow had a really amazing voice.

There is a list of the headliners in the graphic above if you want to know who sang. Probably the biggest excitement was hearing Tiffany. I was surprised at how many of the younger folks knew who she was. I liked her a lot, but most of her music came out when I was in the sixth grade. She, and the other performers were really great! She was joined by some African American girl from American Idol, but I didn't hear her name.

RI's PrideFest always concludes with a lighted parade with floats representing all sorts of alternative organizations, sports teams, religious groups. It is supposed to be the only one of its kind in the nation. At least that is what I heard. I am not sure about that, but it is still pretty fun and amazing to see!

For more professional, official pictures of pride check out this page from the EDGE Providence. I am supposed to be in there somewhere, but I was too lazy to search all of the pictures. They took it when I was watching one of the concert performers. I also want to thank the sponsors of the event. Without them, it would not be possible. You might be surprised by some in the list.

I really had a great time! I think I will make sure to be able to go again next year.