Pride Now and Then: A History of RI Pride

Rhode Island Pride celebrated its 50th year during this Pride Month. As one of the largest events of the summer, the event draws thousands of people to celebrate, sometimes even traveling from other states. With approximately 200 vendors, many amazing performances, and a variety of delicious food, the festival has something for everyone. Festival goers then get to enjoy the illuminated night parade through the streets of downtown Providence. It’s an amazing night for everyone to come out and be themselves. Pride Fest has amazing performances, including Adore Delano, Juicy Love Dion, Paris Bennett, and more. This year’s Pride theme was, “We Are The People.” It sends a positive message of resilience to those who wish to silence the community. 

When we think of pride, we think of the fun we have; however, it wasn’t always this way. Pride wasn’t always a party. It started as a protest. As we know, Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera started the original Pride in New York with a single brick.  Demonstrations also hit Rhode Island when a small group was denied permission to march in the 1976 Bicentennial parade. Instead of backing down, they marched through the streets in protest. (RI Foundation) This led to the first Pride parade in Rhode Island. 

What started as 75 people grew into a crowd of thousands who have continued to show up for the last 48 years (Advocate). As we celebrate 50 years of RI Pride, let’s not forget what it took to get here. Providence officials, including Buddy Cianci, initially opposed the idea of an LGBT event and denied the permits. The ACLU of Rhode Island got involved and filed a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction prohibiting the withholding of a permit. This turned out successfully, and the parade went on without a hitch. We can now celebrate freely and as openly as we want. 

Without the courage of those original 76ers, we may not have the parties we do today. It’s imperative to remember the blood, sweat, and tears that went into Pride eventually turning into a party that thousands now attend. Even as Pride Month comes to an end, let’s not forget the fight and what it took to get here. 

Pride is one of the most memorable moments, but not the only one. For such a small state, we have a large archive of historical events relating to the LGBTQ+ community. Mirabar, originally opened in Woonsocket and now in Providence, has been around since 1974, just two years before the first Pride parade. Our very own Options Magazine has been around since 1982. Despite many obstacles, we’re still going strong! In 2002, David Cicilline became the first openly gay mayor of Providence, and in 2013, Rhode Island legalized same sex marriage. This is just a brief history of victories won, but there are so many more that have come and gone. 

The LGBTQ+ history is a story of resilience. We’re still resisting and fighting today, but we've already come so far. As Pride Month comes to an end, let’s not forget what it took to get here.