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LGBTQIA+

Welcome to the LGBTQIA+ Community Access Page

Providence as an LGBTQIA+ affirming city

The City of Providence has a proud history of affirming the LGBTQIA+ community. Over the past seven years, Providence has consistently been the only city in Rhode Island to receive a perfect 100 rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index. This index takes into account policies and practices that indicate strong support for LGBTQIA+ communities.

We value our LGBTQIA+ residents and have taken numerous actions to affirm and protect them, including but not limited to:

  • Updating the City’s health insurance policy to include gender-affirming care
  • Testifying in support of a ban on conversion therapy for minors
  • Updated City’s health insurance policy to extend benefits to transgender city employees and retirees
  • Raised the transgender flag at City Hall to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • Designated all-gender restrooms in municipal buildings (currently at City Hall, Providence Public Safety Complex, Providence School Department, and the Joseph A. Dooley Municipal Building at 444 Westminster St.)
  • The City school board passed a wide-ranging policy to support transgender students, which includes provisions about bathrooms and other school facilities
  • City brought in TGI Network to train city staff, including our municipal court judges, on how to be more inclusive and welcoming to the transgender community
  • Encouraged City staff to include pronouns in their email signatures to foster an environment of gender equity

Key City Links

LGBTQIA+ Specific Policies

City non-discrimination policy

 

Workplace transition guidelines for City employees

Visiting City Buildings

All-gender restrooms are located in City Hall, the Public Safety Building, 444 Westminster, and the School Department.

 

Support for Transgender, Non-binary and Gender Non-Conforming Youth

Transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming youth are welcomed and supported by the City of Providence.

Please feel free to reach out to City staff for resources for topics including, but not limited to:

  • Getting your or your child’s gender marker or name changed on an ID.
  • Teachers or administrators using the wrong name or pronouns at school.
  • Having to use an incorrect or highly inconvenient bathroom or locker room at school.
  • Other forms of discrimination or harassment.

Please contact Andi Wheeler (they/them) at awheeler@providenceri.gov or Bret Jacob (he/him) at bjacob@providenceri.gov for further guidance.

 

Community Resource Links

Healthcare resources

  • Open Door Health
    Safe, confidential, and inclusive health care specifically tailored for LGBTQIA+ communities.
    Website: https://odhpvd.org/
    Address: 7 Central Street Providence, RI 02907
    Phone Number: (401) 648-4700
  • Project Weber/Renew – Beyond the Understanding of Gender
    Program services include a community support group, transition support, support changing documents, and individual case management.
    Website: http://www.weberrenew.org/beyond
    Address: Providence and Pawtucket locations
    Phone Number: (401) 383-4888
  • Thundermist Health Center – Trans Health Access
    The Trans Health Access Team is a group of medical, behavioral health, and allied service professionals working to improve access to culturally and clinically competent healthcare for the trans community.
    Website: https://www.thundermisthealth.org/services/trans-health-access/
    Address: Multiple locations
    Phone Number: (401) 467-4100

Voting Resources

Voting While Trans* in Rhode Island is a comprehensive voting guide for Transgender and Non-binary residents. This resource was compiled by Thundermist Health Center’s Trans* Health Access team.

LGBTQIA+ owned businesses

LGBTQIA+ local media

Disclaimer:
  • The City does not endorse nor favor any business or resource over another
  • For a comprehensive list of resources, please visit Options (https://www.optionsri.org/)
  • To submit an additional resource link or business, please contact LGBTQIA+ Liaison Bret Jacob at bjacob@providenceri.gov