12 LGBTQ Nonprofits In Rhode Island Get $77,500 In Grants

RHODE ISLAND — The Rhode Island Foundation gave $77,500 in grants to 12 nonprofits providing services for the state's LGBTQ community.

Specifically, the money will support organizations offering services ranging from empowerment activities for LGBTQ youth to improving health care for those in the community.

"These organizations strive to ensure the health, safety and fair treatment of every LGBTQ Rhode Islander," said Adrian Bonéy, who oversees the Equity Action Fund grant program at the Rhode Island Foundation. "As we begin recovering from the impact of COVID-19 on programs and services, the work of these organizations is more crucial than ever."

The following LGBTQ nonprofits received grant funding:

GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)

GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) received $10,000 to support its ongoing youth and civil rights advocacy in Rhode Island. The work includes holding semiannual roundtables of LGBTQ advocates, providing legal support to families of LGBTQ students, and strengthening the state’s protective legal framework for the LGBTQ community.

Haus of Codec

Haus of Codec received $10,000 to support its LGBTQQIA+ Youth Shelter, which serves youth 18 to 24, particularly those exposed to the juvenile justice system, aging out of foster care or who cannot return home because of their sexuality or gender.

Project Weber/RENEW in Providence

Project Weber/RENEW in Providence received $10,000 to support its Transgender Outreach Project (TOP), which connects transgender and genderqueer/non-binary people at risk for overdose and living with or at risk for HIV and HCV with comprehensive case management, harm reduction services and material supports. In addition, the funding will support gender-affirming services for clients like name-change application fees and gender-affirming items like chest binders.

Providence Public Library

The Providence Public Library received $3,300 to support strategic planning and capacity building for its Queer Stories Project. Part of the RI LGBTQ+ Community Archives, the project's goal is to create a collaborative and sustainable framework and funding strategy in order to grow the program through partnerships with historians and community activists and hold programs and events beginning in July 2023.

Queer Archive Work

Queer Archive Work received $2,500 to support 10 exhibitor stipends and a zine-making workshop for 30 participants at the Queer/Trans Zinefest (QTZ) 2022, which includes open studio days every other weekend for total access to the library, the studio’s publishing tools, equipment and support. Visitors will be invited to participate in zine making, writing, poetry, comics and book-arts workshops as well as open studio time for personal projects.

RIOT RI

RIOT RI received $3,700 to provide 10 scholarships to Youth Rock Camp 2022, an intensive one-week day camp that offers LGBTQ youth ages 10 to 18 the opportunity to learn guitar, bass, drums, keyboards or vocals. Campers form a band, write an original song, and perform it live at a Final Showcase for friends, family, and fans. Campers also participate in gender-centric life skills workshops, such as: Media Literacy, Body Image & Autonomy, and Gender and Sexuality.

The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre

The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre received $2,500 to support its free classes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other sexual- and gender-minority youth.

Sojourner House

Sojourner House received $8,000 to provide shelter, housing and supportive services to LGBTQ victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. The supportive services will include provides crisis intervention, LGBTQ+ support groups, case management services, criminal justice information and advocacy, police statement and court accompaniment, safety planning, assistance with researching and applying for housing, benefits and employment; free HIV testing and referrals to other programs and services.

Stages of Freedom

Stages of Freedom received $5,000 to support “RI BGM: The Legacy of Black Gay Men in Rhode Island.” Housed in Stages of Freedom’s new African American Museum in downtown Providence, the exhibit will consist of multiple portable panels with text and images, and augmented by books, art, photographs, documents, ephemera, costumes and writings illuminating the contributions Black gay men have made to the Ocean State.

The Steel Yard

The Steel Yard received $2,500 to support Camp Sparkle, a 2-week-long day camp that provides training in the industrial arts for LBGTQ+ youth ages 14 to 18. Participants spend the first week in small scale metals, learning jewelry and metalsmithing techniques. In week two, they learn techniques in welding and large-scale fabrication.

Thundermist Health Center

Thundermist Health Center received $10,000 to support its Trans Health and Wellness Program, which targets adults ages 18 to 25. The goal is to improve physical and mental health, increase community contentedness and reduce social isolation. The organization reports having more than 1,500 active patients.

Youth Pride in Providence

Youth Pride in Providence received $10,000 to increase clinical services for at-risk, vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth, including connecting them with resources and services like applying for SNAP and housing and attaining gender-affirming care or other LGBTQ+ care in medical settings where young adults may not feel comfortable advocating for themselves.