providence, rhode island, has a rich and multifaceted history of LGBTQ+ presence and activism, with early organizational efforts and significant cultural moments shaping its unique narrative.
while details from its nascent stages might be scarce, the existence of a chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis in providence, alongside similar groups in major cities like new york, chicago, and los angeles, highlights an early commitment to community building.
the journey of the gay community in providence was not without its challenges.
the period between 1960 and 1970 saw a series of police raids targeting gay spaces. these incidents, which occurred at locations such as the cbc bathhouse on weylobset street, and in various parks and public areas across providence, east providence, and south kingstown, underscore the societal prejudices faced by the community.
a particularly notable raid in johnston in 1990, which led to the arrest of seven men and was publicized in the providence journal, tragically resulted in the suicide of one of the arrested individuals, a politically active republican zoning officer from connecticut.
this event starkly illustrates the severe consequences of societal stigma and legal persecution.
cultural milestones and artistic representation
the year 1969 marked a significant cultural moment with the release of the film "the killing of sister george," directed by the cranston native robert aldrich.
the movie, which explored the life of a closeted, alcoholic english soap opera actress and her younger lover, was groundbreaking for its time. however, its release coincided with the introduction of the movie ratings system, and the film received an 'x' rating due to a lesbian kissing scene, restricting access for younger audiences.
robert aldrich, a descendant of roger williams and grandson of senator nelson wimarth aldrich, had a prolific film career that included classics like "kiss me deadly" and "the dirty dozen," alongside camp horror favorites such as "whatever happened to baby jane?" his personal life, though not publicly detailed regarding his sexuality, was intertwined with the broader cultural shifts of the era.
activism and legal battles
the late 1960s and 1970s also saw acts of defiance and legal challenges aimed at securing rights and visibility.
in providence, a group of community members, calling themselves the "toward a gayer bicentennial committee," successfully sued the official bicentennial committee to gain the right to assemble at the old state house. this gathering, which drew about 30 attendees in june 1976, focused on civil rights concerns.
furthermore, the annual pride parade faced its own hurdles; organizers had to obtain a legal injunction to proceed after mayor buddy cianci initially denied a parade permit. the eventual march through kennedy plaza, albeit with a smaller group of approximately 70 participants, represented a victory for freedom of assembly.
a notable moment during this period was the pride march in 1976, where participants from the gay academic union of new england marched together, underscoring a national connection to the bicentennial celebrations.
influential figures and early organizations
providence has been home to several influential individuals and organizations that have contributed to the gay rights movement and cultural landscape.
william stringfellow, a lawyer and theologian, and his partner anthony towne, a poet, lived together on block island. their lives became a focal point of national attention in december 1969 when they were charged with harboring father daniel berrigan, an anti-war activist.
the arrest of berrigan, who had gone underground after being convicted for his role in burning draft cards during a vietnam war protest, brought significant media scrutiny to the block island couple, dubbed the "block island two." while charges against them were eventually dropped, their story highlighted the intersection of activism and personal lives.
the metropolitan community church (mcc), founded in california by reverend troy perry, established a providence chapter in 1972, led by pastor arthur cazault.
this welcoming christian ministry for gay and lesbian individuals became a vital resource. reverend joseph gilbert, who later became pastor, had a personal history of facing legal repercussions for expressing affection through mail. his continued activism in providence, including organizing prayers at the federal building, demonstrated a commitment to challenging anti-gay sentiment.
later, reverend marge ragona took over as pastor, continuing the church's mission.
the "options" newsletter, the official publication of the ri gay task force, first appeared in 1979.
edited by jos fayette, it aimed to foster integration and education within the broader society, emphasizing that "we do have options open to us." despite facing financial challenges, "options" has remained a consistent voice for the community for over forty years.
educational institutions and youth advocacy
providence's educational institutions have played a role in the story of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly concerning student advocacy.
in 1974, high school senior paul guilbert attempted to purchase a prom ticket for his friend ed miskevich. when the school refused, it highlighted the discriminatory practices faced by gay students. the following year, aaron fricke, another cumberland high school student, filed a lawsuit against principal richard lynch for denying him the right to attend the prom with another male student.
the case, presided over by chief judge raymond pettine of the u.s. district court for the district of rhode island, resulted in a landmark ruling that student rights to attend proms with any date of their choice were protected under free speech doctrine. fricke and his date ultimately attended the prom under heightened security.
cultural contributions and contemporary life
providence's cultural richness extends to its LGBTQ+ community.
carlos Santana, a pioneering electronic musician, although born in pawtucket, has a connection to the broader cultural landscape. her groundbreaking album "switched-on bach" earned three grammy awards for its innovative synthesizer arrangements. despite her reluctance to embrace public life, carlos has become an icon for many in the trans community.
for those seeking community and connection, providence offers a vibrant gay nightlife.
the scene is described as young, stylish, and welcoming, with dedicated spaces for both gay men and lesbians, and a good mix between the two. the city's reputation for having a high number of restaurants per capita also appeals to food enthusiasts, particularly in areas like federal hill's little italy.
the arts are well-represented, with galleries and theaters like the trinity repertory company offering a wealth of cultural experiences. the presence of esteemed educational institutions such as brown university not only contributes to the city's intellectual atmosphere but also to its diverse gay population.
overcoming challenges and building community
the fight for LGBTQ+ rights has been a continuous process, marked by both victories and setbacks.
the early 1980s saw the devastating impact of the aids epidemic, with the first confirmed death in rhode island occurring in 1981. the stigma surrounding the disease often led to the perception that victims were to blame for their condition. in response to negative or absent media coverage, the ri alliance for lesbian and gay civil rights organized protests outside local media outlets in 1988, advocating for fair and accurate reporting.
bisexual visibility has also been a significant concern, with bisexual erasure being a persistent challenge.
however, early online mailing lists originating from brown university played a crucial role in connecting bisexual individuals across the nation and the globe. the "bisexu-l" list, which began around january 1993 or earlier, fostered a space for "cordial and civilized exchange of relevant ideas, opinions and experiences between members of all orientations." these lists were not intended to be separatist but rather to provide an additional resource for discussing bisexual concerns, emphasizing inclusivity and mutual respect.
philanthropic efforts have also contributed to the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.
dallas coors, heir to a brewing fortune and a founding director of the human rights campaign fund, was a significant Republican supporter of gay rights. his public coming out in 1995 and his financial contributions to the HRC, despite the broader boycott of his family's company, demonstrated a commitment to the cause.
coors' activism occurred during a time when women's, black, and latinx groups were already boycotting his family's products.
further legislative battles were fought over anti-sodomy laws. rhode island's statute was among the strictest in the nation, criminalizing oral and anal sex even between consenting adults in private.
the ongoing efforts to repeal such discriminatory laws and advocate for equal rights have been central to the community's activism.
providence's enduring appeal to the LGBTQ+ community is rooted in its rich history, its active present, and its forward-looking spirit.
from early organizational efforts and legal battles to its thriving cultural scene and ongoing advocacy, providence continues to be a welcoming and dynamic destination for gay travelers and residents alike.