"Communities are strongest when they come together"

URI celebrates Pride Month in South County 

Dawn Bergantino 

Communities are strongest when they come together. While equality should be celebrated all year long, Pride Month offers an important opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate love, respect, joy and progress toward LGBTQ+ equal rights as well as to recognize where there is still progress to be made.

As cities and towns across Rhode Island celebrate Pride Month in June, the University of Rhode Island Gender and Sexuality Center is playing a major role in the celebration of Pride in South County. For more than a decade, the Center has prided itself on providing education, engagement, and support for those who are queer or questioning, as well as the greater URI campus community. 

Now in its fourth year as one of South County Pride’s most significant sponsors, Center Director Annie Russell, who is also co-president of the South County Pride Foundation, notes that the concept for the event began in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic when many Pride celebrations throughout the state were cancelled.

“I think everyone thought it was really important­—especially coming off of COVID—to be visible, to bring people together, show support and celebrate the queer community and its history here in Rhode Island,” said Russell. “That is still true. It’s a truly organic, grassroots festival right here in our own backyard.”

South County Pride is Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Wakefield. The free event will feature a car parade, food trucks, drag entertainers, story tellers, music and much more.

In addition, on Monday, June 24 from noon to 2 p.m., the Gender and Sexuality Center will host its own Pride celebration on campus. 

The Center’s annual Barbequeer will feature food, crafts, games, and a fun, relaxing atmosphere for all to gather. Held at the Gender and Sexuality Center at 19 Upper College Road, the event is open to all members of the URI community.

“We certainly hope all members of the community will come out to celebrate Pride—whether in downtown Wakefield, on campus or at another event in Rhode Island,” said Russell. “But more importantly, we hope that each of us will take the opportunity to celebrate and support one another whenever that opportunity presents itself.”

URI’s Gender and Sexuality Center is open to all members of the URI community. Its education programs allow all community members to explore concepts related to LGBTQ+ people and issues. 

Engagement programs provide an opportunity for people to meet and create meaningful relationships with each other and support programs give students, faculty, and staff a place and time to receive and offer the benefit of community support for whatever issues they encounter.