However, we can do what we do best, which is create Pride and the programs associated with it and support those amazing organizations that are also taking the lead in our communities. Pride does not have the capacity and resources to execute many of the great ideas and needs of the community. I would always remark to others that one of my jobs with Pride is to raise money, but more importantly, my job is to raise people. One of the best ways to do this is by listening and engaging with the community and also being aware of the intersectionality of other communities.Īs Rhode Island Pride is working on the plan for the PrideFest and Parade, we are looking at ways that we can help educate, engage our community and collaborate with other organizations both in and outside of the LGBTQIA+ community. To be mindful means to be aware, and sometimes that requires us to stop, look around, plan next steps and then implement. It is taking all that energy and converting it into something that builds up instead of tearing down. I am proud to serve my community as an openly gay black male who has had the experience of growing up in a housing project, experienced time in a foster home, been the recipient of racism at work, and seen the damaging effects of religious prejudice and bigotry. Even though we have made great strides towards equality, we still have much work to do towards equity, inclusion and belonging.
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There were no civil rights protections for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the HIV/AIDS epidemic was devastating our community and public support wasn’t that strong. The world was a lot different than it is today. The first annual Woonsocket Pride event was initially going to be a small celebration at River Island Park. The total resident population of Portugal is estimated at 10,560,000.Q: What inspires you to do what you’re doing? What are some things, you would consider mindful, that Rhode Island Pride is doing for the community right now?Ī: I first began volunteering for Rhode Island Pride in 1991. It is estimated that over 5 million Portuguese nationals live abroad. Officially designated ‘ Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities’, the date also celebrates the life of Luiz Vaz de Camões, Portugal’s national poet.įor the Portuguese people living abroad, Portugal Day is the time to display their heritage and ethnic pride. Portugal Day is a national holiday celebrated by the Portuguese nation every year on June 10. The annual ethnic pride parade, organized by the Portuguese community of Rhode Island for the past 40 years, involves the participation of brass bands, folklore dance groups with the participation of many Portuguese organizations and associations. On Sunday, June 11, the final day of the visit, Secretary Bettencourt participates in Providence, Rhode Island, in the Portugal Day Parade, celebrating Portuguese heritage, language and culture. On Saturday, June 10, Secretary Bettencourt meets with the board of directors of Casa dos Açores da Nova Inglaterra and participates in the Waterfire Providence, taking place in Kennedy Plaza in Providence (RI). Rui Bettencourt, who is accompanied in this visit by the Director for the Azorean Communities, Paulo Teves, will also meet with the International Network of Social Intervention, in New Bedford, and organization which supports the community in the areas of legal counselling, citizenship, health rights and social inclusion. This event includes a lecture on Azorean writer, Vitorino Nemésio, delivered by his granddaughter, Luísa Nemésio, and a video screening featuring testimonials from Azoreans on the Autonomy regime of the Azores. Later, Secretary Bettencourt will deliver a message to the Azorean community at an event honoring the Azores Day, promoted by Casa dos Açores da Nova Inglaterra (CANI), Fall River, (MA) in collaboration with the Consulate of Portugal in New Bedford. Come Out With Pride 2021 returns to Lake Eola Park on Saturday, October 9 with Pride Week events taking place between Friday. The event includes a flag raising ceremony at the Providence City Hall. The second-largest Pride parade in the nation will now be centered in Hollywood, a historic shift away from West Hollywood in the 50+ years since the parade became a regular occurrence. On Friday, June 9, Secretary Bettencourt will address the Rhode Island State House during the official ceremonies of the celebration of Portugal Day. The Assistant Secretary for External Relations of the Government of the Azores starts Friday, June 9, a three-day visit to the United States to participate in the celebrations of Portugal Day in Providence, Rhode Island, and meet with the Azorean community and institutions.