‘We’re not going anywhere’: LGBTQ+ leaders respond to national controversy on day 1 of Pride month

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Gov. Dan McKee and other state legislators kicked off Pride month Thursday at the State House.

McKee, as in years past, signed a proclamation alongside LGBTQ+ leaders in the state kickstart the month of celebration.

“The community that we are recognizing today knows Rhode Island is all in,” said McKee. “We stand with the LGBTQ+ community and we will continue to do that.”

Rodney Davis, president of Rhode Island Pride, told ABC 6 News the themes for this month are: “Remember, resist, and rejoice.”

National contention continues to grow over campaign advertisements and marketing highlighting the LGBTQ+ community. Bud Light and Target are just two companies at the forefront.

Responding to the recent polarization, Rodney added, “This vibe and type of contention has always existed. At times, it is incredibly scary when you have legislators, businesses, and organizations trying to take away the dignity and the identity of my community.”

Rodney hopes their fight for justice will take a step forward this Pride month.

“We see the fact that our existence isn’t oversexualizing anything because oftentimes when we stand there people oppose because we are different,” he concluded.

The State House will be lit in Pride colors starting Thursday night.