Ocean State marks LGBT pride at annual Providence celebration
PROVIDENCE – Newport resident Daniel Cano moved from Colombia to the United States to marry his husband. On Saturday, he saw the pride that Rhode Island has for its LGBT community at the 43rd annual Rhode Island Pride Celebration.
“Oh my god, it was amazing,” Cano said of his initial impressions of Saturday’s festival, which was centered on South Water Street in Providence. “Seeing all the people, it’s not about being LGBT, it’s about being human.”
Cano was on hand at Saturday’s celebration to witness the pride within Rhode Island and also to help promote “Newport Out,” a festival this weekend that he said he hopes will make Newport “as open and inviting to the LGBT community as possible.”
The upcoming Newport celebration, in addition to Saturday’s festivities in Providence, are helping to make people in the LGBT community feel more comfortable being who they are. This year’s theme for the annual Rhode Island Pride Celebration was “Louder and Prouder.”
“‘Louder and Prouder’ means having this, where people get loud and proud and they can be proud of who they are. They aren’t just words,” Cano said.
Thousands turned out to Saturday’s street festival, with more than 150 vendors, live entertainment, a Ferris wheel, and plenty of activities. The centerpiece to the party came later at night,
with the “Illuminated Night” parade in downtown Providence.
Scott Lewis of Barrington has been attending Rhode Island Pride in Providence on a yearly basis, saying the Ocean State’s fete was among the best he’s attended.
“It’s about being more proud, feeling proud of myself...” Lewis said. “People can be more expressive, it’ll move people to come to this.”
Lewis’ friend, Katie Farrell, came all the way from Long Island in New York to support her best friend at the party. It was her first time attending Rhode Island Pride.
“It’s so fun, I love it,” Farrell said. “I’m having a great time … Everyone’s so excited, they’re being proud of who they are.”
Warwick resident Daniel Pierce, who was also attending Rhode Island Pride for the first time, said the day was “fantastic.” In his hometown, he said, there are “small pockets” of the LGBT community, but he said an event like Saturday’s daylong celebration helped to provide an opportunity for people to feel comfortable and celebrate their individuality.
As for the day’s theme, Pierce said: “It’s not about being quiet.”
“You don’t just need to be there, you can yell if you want to,” he said. “You see no hesitation. What people are wearing, people are just having fun. You don’t see this if they’re not having fun.”