“It’s more important than ever that we recognize and support trans and queer people given the political climate today.”
PROVIDENCE — Since 1976, Rhode Islanders have celebrated June’s Pride Month with events that bring together diverse populations to promote queer visibility and cheer for all that the LGBTQ+ community represents.
During that first rally, a spirited group of 75 participants marched through Kennedy Plaza carrying signs and making noise by playing kazoos and shouting the slogan, “Gay, straight, black, white, same struggle, same fight.”
Back then, pride was a grassroots movement that promoted visibility at a time when gay people were not often seen in the media or other public spaces. Marriage equality was a long way off and most gay sexual activities were considered illegal.
For many, pride was the only time they could gather and learn about the resources available through organizations including AIDS service providers and advocacy groups like the Rhode Island Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.
Some annual pride festivities have had more cause for celebration than others. When Marriage Equality passed the state legislature in 2013, the LGBTQ+ community was filled with joy and a sense of freedom and acceptance. Today, as the federal government attacks trans and queer people while rescinding hard-won rights, the mood is one of concern.
Over nearly half a century, Rhode Island Pride has grown tremendously and expanded to include a wide variety of businesses and establishments. This year’s event, scheduled for June 21, offers an all-day festival followed by an illuminated night parade pulsing throughout downtown Providence.
Recently, however, smaller Pride events have been popping up in cities and towns across the state. This proliferation of pride makes it possible for more people to join in at the local level and it’s reminiscent of those earlier, simpler times. It’s a return to a more grassroots and perhaps more inclusive pride celebration.
This summer, there are pride events from Westerly to Woonsocket, all held to bring visibility and awareness for LGBTQ+ people back to their communities. By spreading pride around, diverse groups have the opportunity to participate and celebrate their unique queerness.
This grassroots engagement is particularly important given the anti-gay sentiment and legislation proposed across the country. It’s harder to hate someone when you know they live next door and lead lives similar to your own.
“It’s more important than ever that we recognize and support trans and queer people given the political climate today,” declared Carissa Koski, a member of the West Warwick Pride Planning Committee. “We wanted to host an event that opened a discourse in the community.”
Their pride event evolved after an incident involving opponents to Drag Queen Story Time protesting in front of the West Warwick Public Library in 2021. The story hour drew a small group of antagonists and attracted a larger group of supporters to demonstrate their appreciation.
“After the protest at the library, we realized that pride events were lacking in this town but that there were definitely people interested in participating,” Koski said.
West Warwick Pride is now in its third year, scheduled for Saturday. In 2024, nearly 200 people attended. Organizers hope to expand in the future to include all of Kent County.
A bit further up north, Woonsocket Pride held a successful event on June 8 at River Island Park.
Planning Committee Member Alex Kithes marveled at this year’s attendance, saying “last year, we had about 600 people come out but this year – and we don’t have all of the numbers yet – it was definitely over 1,000.”
Kithes attributes that increase in attendance as a direct response to the threats and restrictions that U.S. leadership is posing on trans and queer Americans.
“In this moment in time, with the federal administration threatening our civil rights, people are looking to find outlets for joyful resistance,” Kithes said. “They want to gather to celebrate and be together in solidarity.”
Much like West Warwick Pride, the purpose is to embrace all that the community has to offer while also providing resources and connection.
“Since 2021 when we started, we’ve grown while still keeping our sense of community,” Kithes said. “And we will always be that at our core.”
For some trans, bisexual, lesbian and gay people, Pride is one of the few occasions when they can show up as their authentic selves.
“Queer people may still go to Providence to join in Rhode Island Pride, but we have given them a sense of safety and security in their own community with our event,” Kithes said.
Woonsocket Pride also gives back to LGBTQ+ people in need through an assistance fund, offering direct aid through grants to members of the community who are struggling.
“We’re still figuring it out,” shared Kithes, “but we’ve always planned to help with that ongoing need, especially in an economically challenged area like ours.”
Both Koski and Kithes said that putting on a pride event requires a huge effort, almost exclusively led by volunteers and local business owners. That’s why some communities choose smaller scale activities while still striving to increase visibility and awareness for the LGBTQ+ members.
Pawtucket, for example, held a rainbow flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on June 2. Mayor Donald Grebien attended, presenting a declaration recognizing the celebration’s organizer, Jax Adele Ventura.
Telling the crowd that they are nonbinary, Ventura stated “we want to create a community where everyone, no matter their identity, can thrive. And that starts with us—all of us—coming together and taking action.”
Representatives from the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, the state legislature, Pride in Aging RI, and PFLAG watched the rainbow flag rise while the Extraordinary Rendition Band entertained the audience.
Ventura ended by announcing that a group is planning a Pawtucket Pride event for 2026 and that volunteers and supporters are needed. Anyone interested in participating can join the email list.
Creating more local pride events also increases opportunities for people who might not otherwise be able to attend. For many reasons from finances to mobility, not every LGBTQ+ person has the ability to travel to Providence to spend their Saturday.
“Older LGBTQ+ adults tend to be more localized,” explained Tim Anderson, Operations Manager with Pride in Aging RI, an organization committed to addressing issues impacting this community. “These local pride activities create more options during the season, making it more accessible.”
He adds that aging leads to seeming absent in our society which is even more severe for LGBTQ+ seniors. These events “amp up” their presence, allowing them to feel seen when they are often used to being disregarded.
Showing up as a sizable force is important for many reasons today, adds Anderson. “We need to be as visible as possible in our current state of affairs. The more visible we are, the harder it is to ignore us.”
Volunteers with Pride in Aging RI attend events throughout the season, sharing information and resources with elder LGBTQ+ folks. The experience is positive with many inquirers signing up for the organization’s email list so they can stay connected and perhaps get more involved. For some, it is a first step to becoming an active participant in a larger movement.
Anderson stresses that it’s up to each individual to decide how engaged they want to be.
“If you don’t want to be visible, that’s fine,” he said. “But if you’re willing to be visible, do it. Be out there.”
Pride events run through the month of June. Here are several upcoming celebrations.
Saturday, June 14, 12 PM
West Warwick Pride
West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory Street
Saturday, June 14, 11 AM
South County Pride Festival
327 Main Street, Wakefield
Saturday, June 21
Rhode Island Pride 2025
District Park, 120 Peck St, Providence, RI
Saturday, June 28, 11 AM
Newport Pride
Various locations
