Raising the Pride flag at the Providence City Hall on Friday evening was not a small event with a few politicians waxing eloquently about the importance of the LGBTQIA+ community but a massive two-hour event with activists, advocates, politicians and performers. The rally started in the park across the street from the Biltmore Hotel and then marched to the city hall where Mayor Jorge Elorza and Council President John Igliozzi were waiting. Just over 100 people attended the event, despite the sometimes thundering rain.
The event began with a poem by local artist, poet and activist AJ Delsignor, who then introduced the event's emcee, Dion Sage, who hosts the Progress Report, an online talk show focused on LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC Folx.
Dion Sage:
Jayden Vieira:
Dion Sage explained the color guard, each holding one the various flags symbolizing the various LGBTQIA+ identities, including the Progress Pride Flag, Philly Pride Flag, Black Lives Matter flag, Trans Pride flag, Lesbian Pride flag, Pansexual Pride Flag, Rainbow Pride flag, Bisexual Pride flag, Non Binary Pride flag, and the Leather Pride flag.
A performance by Zoey Rose:
Political activist Jennifer Rourke:
Jay Potter is an openly trans Veteran, foster father and activist:
Taylor Neptune:
Bobby Fre$h is a "king groomed and raised in the House of Randy, right here in Providence.
Due to YouTube restrictions on copyrighted material, this video can only be watched on YouTube.
Robert Martin Allison:
Dr Daniel Luis Muñoz:
Long-time and returning Rhode Island Pride President Rodney Davis:
Randy Andy is "Rhode Island's own coffee-milk swilling prodigal son. Performer, producer, mentor, teacher and House of Randy founder, he is here this Pride season to profess his reluctantly acknowledged admiration for th Calimari Comeback state!" You can see Randy Andy and his kings performing at Askew PVD's Saturday Evening, June 19th Pride Party.
The march from the park to the Providence City Hall:
Alijah, "Baroness of the Imperial Court of Rhode Island" is an actor and vocal performer who "tries to use her voice the way she knows how to evoke emotions and change."
Due to YouTube restrictions on copyrighted material, this video can only be watched on YouTube.
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza:
Dion Sage reads the proclamation from Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos:
An original poem from Grayson Rose, a "photographer before all else but also a poet and activist."
Providence City Council President John Igliozzi:
Senator Tiara Mack (Democrat, District 6, Providence):
A performance by Zoey Rose:
Harrison Tuttle, executive director of the Black Lives Matter RI PAC:
Senator Samuel Bell (Democrat, District 5, Providence)
Former Woonsocket City Councilmember Alex Kithes:
Representative Rebecca Kislak (Democrat, District 4, Providence):
Vocal performance by Taylor Neptune and Alijah:
Dion Sage closes out the event:
