Little Compton Pride rises above legislative bigotry
“So many of our community, including our allies, have reached out to us support us in flying their own flags… The United Congregational Church literally – I watched them install a flagpole this morning to fly it for us. And if you go just down south of the commons, just past the Art Cafe, a private citizen also got so mad that they bought a flag pole and will be flying the flag that’s supposed to be on the town hall for the entire month of June. That is the Little Compton that I know and love.”
June 6, 2022, 12:00 pm
By Steve Ahlquist
The second annual Little Compton Pride celebration quickly emerged from the shadow of discrimination and lit up Saturday afternoon. Over 200 people attended the event.
Last year the Little Compton Town Council voted 4-0 to fly the Pride Flag at the town hall, but this year, under the leadership of Town Council President Robert Mushen, who was absent for last year’s vote, flying the flag was rejected by the town council on a 3-2 vote.
This didn’t squash the spirit of pride in the town. Instead, said Little Compton Pride co-organizer Jenna Magnuski, “So many of our community, including our allies, have reached out to us support us in flying their own flags… The United Congregational Church literally – I watched them install a flagpole this morning to fly it for us. And if you go just down south of the commons, just past the Art Cafe, a private citizen also got so mad that they bought a flag pole and will be flying the flag that’s supposed to be on the town hall for the entire month of June. That is the Little Compton that I know and love.”
Megan Gonzalez is the other co-organizer.
This being an election year, there was no shortage of elected officials and candidates wanting to make their pitch. Representative Deborah Ruggiero (Democrat, District 74, Jamestown) is running for Lieutenant Governor. If elected she would be the first LGBTQ person elected to statewide office.
Current Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos:
Senator Cynthia Mendes (Democrat, District 18, East Providence) is also running for Lieutenant Governor:
Councilmember Andrew Iriarte-Moore is one of the two members of the Little Compton Town Council to vote in favor of flying the Pride flag:
Little Compton Schools Superintendent Dr. Laurie Dias-Mitchell read some poetry. Dr. Dias-Mitchell lead the Little Compton School Committee is flying the Pride flag outside the pre-K through 8th grade school.
The final speaker was Matt Brown, candidate for governor. Also in attendance at the event was Representative Gregg Amore (Democrat, District 65, East Providence), who is running for Secretary of State, [former] Central Falls Mayor James Diossa who is running for Treasurer, and Dr. Luis Daniel Muñoz, who is running for governor. Senator Louis DiPalma (Democrat, District 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton) and Representative Michelle McGaw (Democrat, District 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) were also present.
