Text and photos by Lin Collette, Progressive Charlestown contributor
Well, it’s hard to say
for sure since we can neither read nor change the past. The disgraced former
Mayor of Central Falls, who pled guilty to corruption charges in 2012, and one
of the key factors in Central Falls declaring bankruptcy in 2011, might be in
favor of having the rainbow flag fly over city hall.
But few residents
really care what he thinks these days. The same is true for former Mayor
Lazieh, who also “helped” the city along on its path to bankruptcy back in the
1990s, and who has tried to return to the post only to be defeated by James
Diossa in 2012, and to the City Council in 2014 – again, defeated by voters
presumably unwilling to make the same mistakes made in the past.
What does matter is
that three years into his administration Diossa is continuing to bring his home
town into the 21st century by celebrating Central Falls' diversity across the
board. And that includes recognizing the place that Central Falls' gay
residents have in this city that still defiantly calls itself “the city with a
bright future.”
The group that gathered
at this flag raising ceremony was small but inclusive – Hispanic, Anglo,
African American, current and former residents – and all were openly delighted.
There were also representatives from Senator Whitehouse’s office, as well as
city officials and employees, and a representative from Governor Raimondo’s
office.
This ceremony seemed
particularly significant, held on the day before the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in
favor of marriage equality across the United States. In his remarks, Diossa
talked about the importance of recognizing ALL residents of the city.
“Our LGBTQ community deserves to be recognized
with a symbol that is known and flown proudly all over the world,” he said. In speaking to me after the ceremony, he said
“I really don’t understand what the big deal is.” For him, the “big deal” is
the importance of people loving each other and that it be recognized socially and legally.
There are no statistics on how large the Central Falls gay
population is. Doesn't matter.
What's important is that, in an age where marriage equality is law across the United States, and more and more Americans now support it, the small city of Central Falls is striking a solid blow that firmly asserts that diversity comes in all forms.
This is almost revolutionary in a city that was once a densely Catholic bastion of conservative social values and dominated by Anglo ethnic groups (French Canadian, Middle Eastern, Polish, and the like) that didn’t even welcome the “invasion” of Hispanics into “their” town.
What's important is that, in an age where marriage equality is law across the United States, and more and more Americans now support it, the small city of Central Falls is striking a solid blow that firmly asserts that diversity comes in all forms.
This is almost revolutionary in a city that was once a densely Catholic bastion of conservative social values and dominated by Anglo ethnic groups (French Canadian, Middle Eastern, Polish, and the like) that didn’t even welcome the “invasion” of Hispanics into “their” town.
Mayor Diossa is no
stranger to embracing gay rights. In 2013 he joined several other Rhode Island
mayors in supporting the legalization of gay marriage here. That support
undoubtedly helped the bill pass and become law. Quoted in an article posted on
the gay rights organization Human Rights
Campaign website , he said “Marriage tells our communities that two
people are uniquely committed to one another – that they are a family.”
What is interesting is
that Central Falls is now predominantly
Hispanic at 65.7%, an ethnic group not historically noted for its support
of gay rights. That appears to be changing. A recent Pew Center study found that Hispanics have joined the ranks
of supporters of marriage equality at 56%.
This is possibly the
result of millennials (age 18-34) now being counted as a force to be reckoned
with, likely undercutting traditional social conservative values of their
elders. Or it’s possible that Hispanics, who are experiencing ethnic backlash in
several states such as Arizona and Texas, even as their political clout has
grown, realize it's time to join with other minorities and support their
battles.
An article on the Pew Center website discusses how Hispanic values are
changing, thanks to fluctuating religious identities and
experiences.
However, that doesn’t
mean that Central Falls Hispanics would look kindly upon gay rights. Well aware
that raising the flag might offend this predominantly Hispanic city, Diossa,
who is of Colombian heritage, cares only that the city recognizes diversity,
saying that Central Falls has always been a “gateway city,” where immigrants
and minorities can create new lives, and that celebrating gay rights is simply
one more way to celebrate the city’s residents.
He made a point of
referencing opponents – “Despite the open and loving
arms of Central Falls residents, there are still some who whose acceptance of
our neighbors is limited.”
Some former and current
residents are delighted. Central Falls native and current Riverside resident
Ricky Gagnon was glad to hear about the flag raising, saying in a Facebook post
“Very cool that my old hood is catching up to being trendy like me.” Central
Falls resident Kelly F, declining to give her full name, was at the ceremony
and thrilled to see it happen. She said, “This means that maybe my wife and I
will finally be fully accepted in my hometown.”
Others of an older,
predominantly Anglo, generation mourn the loss of morals in a city slipping out
of their control. A woman who lives in one of the two public senior and
disabled housing complexes was heard to say that this definitely would not have
happened if Moreau or the former City Council was still around. Or any of the
other perennial Central Falls politicos. Another called the whole affair
“sick.”
It can't be easy to be
on the losing side of social progress, of course, or the wrong side of history.
The sky is certainly falling for those who dig in their heels and cry for 'the
good old days' when men were men, women knew their place, and gays were
considered morally corrupt.
Those days are
disappearing in the rear view mirror, and rainbows are the order of the day in
Central Falls. And as a resident of this small but fierce urban survivor, I
couldn't be more proud.