2022 marked the 5th year of formally celebrating Pride Month in Newport. And we couldn't be happier with the number of attendees--2K over the weekend!--and how everything went. Read on for a recap of all the amazing events our sister org non-profit, Newport Pride 501(c)(3), organized.
(Oh...and in all the mix, we also managed to install RI's first permanent rainbow crosswalk...more on that here!) 🌈
Didn't get your official Newport Pride 2022 t-shirt? Get it here! All proceeds support our year-round work.
Flag Raising at Newport City Hall
We kicked off the month of June by having a flag-raising ceremony at our City Hall. We had a color guard of flags representing many identities in the LGBTQ+ community, and the awesome Rex (pride advisory committee member) took the time to introduce each flag and what it represents to the gathered crowd. Our city councilors Angela McCalla and Jamie Bova spoke, as did others. A poem by Newporter Dontain Carmon was read aloud (read an essay published by Dontai last year on Advocate.com).
Afterwards we headed to the nearby Tavern on Broadway for drinks and revelry. Beer specials were on tap from Provincetown Brewing and Gay Beer.
Beach Yoga
A Newport Pride tradition! Dear Pride friend Shelley Dungan ran one of her amazing beach yoga classes on Third Beach and donated ALL proceeds to Newport Pride. We moved our bodies, took in a sound bath, enjoyed the sea breeze, and raised $370 for our work!
Find out more about Shelley's yoga classes on the beach and at Norman Bird Sanctuary and her other offerings at her website https://www.sacred-center.org/.
Friday Night at Newport Harbor Hotel
We moved and grooved on Friday to kick off Pride weekend at the Newport Harbor Hotel, adjacent to Bowen's Wharf. Thanks to the hotel for hooking us up with the space and supporting our work. Provincetown Brewing also made their way down from Ptown and sponsored the event. All registrants were able to enjoy a beer from their brewery. Great vibes were provided by DJs Katie Marie & Matt Kenny, as well as Disco Dani!
Providence Diamond came through with two incredible Shinola watch donations we used in a raffle. Check out their new location in Garden City!
Saturday Pride Ride & Festival
Photo credit: Lissette Rooney
The big day! We put so much heart into pulling the festival and pride bike ride off, with massive thanks to our volunteers, Bike Newport, and the Newport Historical Society for sponsoring. We had 40+ vendors, mostly community non-profits and artists. (see the full list of participating orgs and performers here) Performances. Remarks by History Unerased and Lieutenant Governor candidate Deb Ruggiero. And, of course, our 2-mile loop through town on bikes and other two-wheeled contraptions (like roller blades!). Big thanks to the Newport Police for coordinating our passage through town safe from vehicle traffic.
Saturday Night w/ NPT Haus
Hail the queer gods above, as this was truly a heavenly Saturday night Pride party, thanks to the thoughtfulness of the NPT Haus team: The collective of DJs spinning the best house tunes. The design touches on the stage. The vibes. We were thrilled to GET DOWN Saturday night at the Parlor in Newport in a safe, welcoming, joyful queer space.
Sunday at Newport Craft Brewery & Distillery
Our friends at Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling created the space for us to throw a great Sunday party with live music from Future Phase, Mel, and Dragonfly Marie. We had good brews and frozen cocktails, food from Wally's Weiners and other trucks, and another raffle with additional prizes from our friend Katie at Gyrotonic Newport, Newport Craft, and Providence Diamond Company.
Almost $5,000 was donated from this event to the work of Newport Pride, and we will be able to pass on donations to fund the work of our LGBTQ+ support groups at our local schools in Newport as well as at our MLK Center. Woohoo!
Pin Deals
Our pin deals ran throughout June. Although the deals are over, hit us up if you still want to buy a pin! We love the pin design from Holly at Spence Creative. See the list of businesses that supported our work here and support them back!: https://www.newportout.com/pridepin
We do this work because creating a truly welcoming and inclusive city for ALL people, especially LGBTQ+ folks of all ages, is so important to us. Donate here to support our work.
And thanks to all of our Pride month sponsors:
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