The Inside Scoop
July 2021
|
|
Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s July edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read about our scholarship recipients, YPI's very own Pride Hero, our Pride Celebration, news on our July closing, all of our Pride Month fundraisers, and various legislation being passed in RI that effect LGBTQ individuals.
|
|
 |
Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship |
Youth Pride's Lipsky/Whitaker Scholarship is granted annually to Rhode Island students who are involved in activism within the LGBTQ+ community.
The 2021 applicant pool was strong and diverse. We are honored to award seven students the scholarship, totaling $10,000.
Some of the post-secondary institutions our scholarship recipients will be attending include: Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Molloy College, School of Art Institute Chicago, and University of Rhode Island.
Congratulations to all of the recipients!
|
YPI's Pride Celebration, held in early June, was the perfect way to reconnect with the YPI community after more than a year of virtual programming and working from home.
More than 100 people joined us on the greenspace behind Classical High School. YPI youth along with old and new families enjoyed meeting once another, creating a banner at the art table, listening to music, and grabbing some food!
We look forward to hosting more in-person events with our community. Keep an eye out on our website and social media pages for updates on future events and our return to in-person programing planned for later this summer!
|
|
|
|
Over the weekend, Congressmen David Cicililne and the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus honored YPI's Executive Director, Elana Rosenberg, in a tweet. In reflecting upon the closing of Pride Month, Cicilline calls Elana a "Local Pride Hero" and "an incredible advocate for LGBTQ+ people".
YPI is incredibly lucky to be lead by a such a conscientious and compassionate director. Staff, YPI youth, and the community are all grateful of Elana's influence in our lives!
|
We can't believe Pride Month is over! With so many fundraisers, speaking opportunities, and events going on throughout the month of June, we've been incredibly busy. As a thank you to our staff who have worked endlessly, not just throughout Pride Month, but over the past year of during the pandemic, we will be closed for vacation from July 3 through July 11.
During this time emails and voicemails will not be checked throughout the break. Our Basic Needs Pantry will be closed it's request form will not be checked until our return.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Racial Equality Resources
|
|
|
YPI stands with youth of color and are committed to deepening racial equality within our organization and our work. We will provide resources in our newsletter to continually educate, mobilize, and engage our readers in racial justice matters.
The first link below is a compilation of resources for white parents to utilize when talking to their child(ren) about race. Articles, podcasts, book recommendations and more are listed.
The second link will take you to the National Black Caucus' live stream from June 24, 2021. This segment featured the National Black Caucus (NBC) and invited guests including trans activists, trans men and trans women to have an open and honest dialogue about issues facing Black Trans people in relation to issues facing the wider Black community.
|
|
Are you really missing drop-in hours? Need someone to talk to? Are you experiencing crisis? Have concerns, fears or mental health needs that you need to express to someone? Here are a couple of resources for you that were compiled by YPI staff. |
|
Essential Resources During COVID-19
Other Resources from YPI
|
|
Monthly Spotlight
Our Pride Fundraisers!
|
|
Thank you to all the organizations, businesses, and individuals that found creative ways to support YPI during Pride Month! We're thrilled so many different groups though of us, so we wanted to give them a huge shout out here! We hope you consider checking out their services in the future. |
|
Chelcuterie by Chelsea in Woonsocket - $5 from each of their Rainbow Fruit and Cheese platter orders were donated. Pictured right.
D. Simpkin in Newport - Proceeds from pride apparel were donated.
Flatbread in Providence - A percentage of each pizza sold on 6/15/21 was donated.
The Flower Shoppe in Pawtucket - 15% from each Blooming with Pride bouquet sold was donated.
Garden Grille in Pawtucket - 5% of ALL Monday sales throughout the month of June are donated.
|
|
The Grange in Providence - 5% of ALL Wednesday sales throughout the month of June are donated.
Jen Thum and her Running Group - Runrasier for the Trevor Project was matched 100% by Jen for YPI!
Luna Belle Candles - Part of the proceeds from the sale of their Love is Love candle were donated. Pictured right.
Michael Kors in Providence Place Mall - 10% of all sales on 6/19/21 were donated.
|
|
Nook Coffee House in East Greenwich - A portion of the sales from the weekend leading up to the Stonewall Anniversary were donated.
OutLash Artistry in Providence - 100% of the proceeds from their gift card raffle were donated.
The Savory Grape in East Greenwich - $2 from the sale of each bottle of Cherries & Rainbows red wine was donated.
Trek Bikes in East Providence - Hosted Newport's Pride Ride and donated a portion of the proceeds.
Tricycle Ice Cream in Providence - A portion of the proceeds from their Birthday/Pride ice cream sandwich was donated. Pictured right.
|
|
Wildflour in Pawtucket - 10% from the sales of their Rainbow Pride Whoopie Pies are donated back to YPI. Pictured right. Also, 5% of ALL Monday sales throughout the month of June are donated.
Wormtown Brewery in Worchester MA - $1 from each pint of Be Hoppy Double India Pale Ale sold was donated.
The following organizations held drives to, or donated directly to, stock our Basic Needs Pantry with food, toiletries, and school supplies!
Thank you all so much!
|
|
RI House Passes Two 5741 and 6215 |
|
Two bills previously discussed in The Inside Scoop have developments as of late June.
As mentioned in the April 2021 edition of The Inside Scoop bill H5741, the Gender Inclusive Restroom Act, would require all single-stall restrooms in public buildings/place of public accommodations to be gender neutral (accessible to anyone). On 6/29/21 the Senate passed the bill! H5741 has now been sent to Governor McKee who is expected to sign it.
The May 2021 edition of our newsletter talked about bill H6215, The RI Fair Housing Practice Act, which seeks to reduce RI housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity by landlords in owner owned properties. The current RI law has two exemptions that make discriminating again LGBTQ renters easy. The exemptions are:
- "Discrimination based on sexual orientation -- Exemption: Nothing in this title shall prohibit an owner of a housing accommodation from refusing to rent to a person based on his or her sexual orientation if the housing accommodation is three (3)units or less, one (1) of which is occupied by the owner."
-
"Discrimination based on gender identity or expression -- Exemption: Nothing in this title shall prohibit an owner of a housing accommodation from refusing to rent to a person based on his or her gender identity or expression if the housing accommodation is three (3) units or less, one of which is occupied by the owner."
Bill H6215 seeks to remove those exemptions and was passed by the Senate on 6/29/21! The bill now moves to Governor McKee where it is unsure to be signed.
|
|
|
|
Officiating Same-Sex Marriages In RI Just Got Easier |
|
In the February 2019 edition of this newsletter we discussed the process of officiating a same sex marriage in RI and the difficulties in the process.
In the state of Rhode Island unordained individuals can officiate weddings if approved as a Temporary Officiant by the General Assembly. This is an appealing option to those who wish to have a friend or parent officiate their special day. The option is less appealing once the possible drawbacks are outlined. The General Assembly is only in session six months of the year. This means that all requests must be made strategically or else the window of opportunity to apply will be missed. Another problem with the current system is the need for full General Assembly approval. Currently, pending bills to solemnize same sex marriages are passed separately from other solemnization of marriage bills in both the House and the Senate. This leads to more conservative denial or abstaining votes for couples of the same sex.
On 2/6/19 the committee recommended "the measure (bill) be held for future study" and has been dead ever since...until now! On 6/22/21 RI lawmakers gave final approval to a new proposal that would end the General Assembly’s role in deciding who gets to officiate a wedding in Rhode Island. Bills S0014B and H5034 (which were passed and signed by the Governor on 6/25/21) replaces the appeal and vote process in the General Assembly to a new system where requests to officiate are automated through the Rhode Island Secretary of State‘s office. These bills allow the governor to designate any adult to solemnize a marriage within the state on a particular day and within a particular city or town for a $25 fee.
|
|
|
|
Mission:
Youth Pride, Inc. is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of youth and young adults impacted by sexual orientation and gender identity/expression while working to end the homophobic and transphobic environments in which they live, work and play.
Values:
LEADERSHIP: YPI is committed to creating the leaders of today. Youth voices drive our process, and we seek to develop the leadership skills necessary both within the organization and outside of it.
AFFIRMATION: YPI believes all youth must be affirmed for who they are and how they express themselves. We are committed to making that a reality in all of the environments in which young people live.
COMMUNITY: YPI believes building strong connections is essential to youth success and empowerment. We strive to create a caring, respectful and diverse community of young people and adults.
|
Your tax-deductible donation helps YPI continue to do the important work we do in accordance to our mission. Your gift would be directly investing in our state's LGBTQ+ youth so that they may have a chance to share their gifts and light with the world. |
|
Our Programs and Services |
Youth Pride, Inc. serves over 700 Rhode Island LGBTQ+ youth and their straight allies a year through a variety of programs and services.
Our Center, located on Westminster Street in Providence, primarily serve as a drop-in and programming space, and is currently open to youth ages 13 to 23 on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-8pm and Thursday from 3 to 5. Youth ages 9 to thirteen are welcome at our exclusive 13 and under drop-in time on Thursdays from 5-8 pm. All YPI Center services and activities are free to youth. YPI youth get to attend events, workshops, cultural, educational, social, and wellness activities at YPI and around the state.
Our center is home to a Basic Needs Pantry, open to youth in need of food, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies. We offer one on one counseling with in-house clinicians. Our clinicians facilitate and supervise three peer-support groups.
YPI also offers support to those who work with youth through policy and advocacy, and by providing professional development workshops and technical assistance to service providers and educators.
For more information on getting involved with YPI as a volunteer or if you or someone you know is in need of our services, contact info@youthprideri.org
|
|
|
|
If you have a story you feel should be included in an upcoming newsletter, email Info@youthprideri.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
