The memory I would like to share is from the first Providence Gay Pride Parades I walked in with my partner, Richard Davia and our dog B. It was the first of many Providence Gay Pride Parades that I would march. My company TEN31 often participates in the parade, however this first time was for me the sweetest and most dear to my heart. It was shortly after the Mall opened and the Parade was staged around the State house and made it was way passed the Mall. We went down to watch but just decided to join in and march with our first dog, a rescued golden cocker spaniel. When we walked past the Mall, the crowds were multiple people deep and the love and applause from everyone still brings tears to my eyes. It was so fulfilling for us – having just started our lives together. Over 20 years later, we continue to make Providence our home and treasure our Pride Parade and Fest, this year due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Parade is cancelled. It has always been a treasured tradition for us – it will be difficult not to be able to join, meet and celebrate with our community in this way. We look forward to the day that once again we can march together. Joe Pari Providence Resident Photos included show Joe Pari and his partner Richard Davia having fun in their beloved city, Providence, RI

What are your pronouns?
he him his

How do you identify within the LGBTQIA+ community?
G

What is your association with the City of Providence or State of RI?
Providence

I wrote this article about the queer RI-area community a few years ago – it’s a collage of perspectives from local queers I love and admire. Perhaps it can find a place in the archive:

http://groundupjournal.org/myqueernessmycommunity

What are your pronouns?
she/her

How do you identify within the LGBTQIA+ community?
I am a queer woman.

What is your association with the City of Providence or State of RI?
I was born in Coventry, went to La Salle Academy for high school, and moved back to RI a few years after college (to Providence). I’ve lived here for the past 4 years.

The first person I came out to was a friend of mine in 2008 when I was in 8th grade. I had a crush on a mutual friend of ours and I had to let someone know it. Her response of “if you don’t tell her, I will” was my first lesson in knowing my sexuality wasn’t just about who I had a crush on, it was a means for gossip and a way to be differentiated from others. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like that I couldn’t control my own narrative. I went to great lengths in high school to make sure everyone was comfortable — facing the wall in the locker room before and after PE so my classmates wouldn’t worry that I was staring at them, assuring my friends that they weren’t my “type” so they wouldn’t fear I was crushing on them, and even applying the “bisexual” tag to my name so others wouldn’t think I’m all that different, just 50% different. In the twelve years since then, my tune has completely changed. I’m open about my sexuality and treat that part of me as though it’s not different from anyone else, because, in my mind, it’s not. I like a person, you like a person, it doesn’t matter if we’re female, male, or gender non-binary — let’s celebrate the fact that someone excites us and makes us want to write corny love poems and little pun-filled cards. Love and attraction are beautiful and it doesn’t get to be gatekept in a heterosexual partnership.

What are your pronouns?
she/her/hers

How do you identify within the LGBTQIA+ community?
Queer

What is your association with the City of Providence or State of Rhode Island?
I live in Providence and work for the City of Providence​