Providence Shines with a Rainbow of GLBT Activities for Gay Pride Month

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A dynamic city known for its eclectic art, music and culinary offerings, Providence was founded on the visionary principles of tolerance, liberty and free will. This foundation can be seen in the city's vibrant celebration of Gay Pride Month. This year's theme is "Pride - Like It, Share It, Live It!" Below is a sampling of festivities being offered in The Creative Capital throughout the month of June.

� The 36th annual RI PrideFest is scheduled for Saturday, June 16 at South Water Street along the Providence River. The weekend-long celebration will feature an eclectic mix of entertainment, a beer, wine and spirits garden, and much more. The Illuminated Night Parade, the culmination of PrideFest, begins at 8:30 p.m. Starting at Dorrance and Fountain Streets, the parade is a dazzling display of floats, performers and musicians winding through the streets of downtown Providence. A Hangover Drag Brunch is scheduled for Sunday, June 17 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.prideri.com.

� The Flickers: GLBT Film Festival Preview is a celebration of films made by, for, and about the GLBT community. This year's festival is scheduled for Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 10, and will feature cutting-edge short films as well as previews of new feature films. Each ticket is $10 per person and for every ticket sold Flickers will donate $1 to Marriage Equality RI. For more information, visit www.film-festival.org.

� Gallery Q, opened in 2009 as a space to facilitate itself in the form of a museum, art gallery, library and general facility. The gallery manages and produces exhibitions, conferences, lecture tours, seminars, and literary, musical, dramatic and artistic performances that are conducive to the advancement of the education and social improvement of relations between the GLBT community and general public. This year, Gallery Q will be located at Providence's funky, new green office complex called The Box Office. Office is located at 460 Harris Avenue, Providence. Some of June's highlights include:

� June 1 - Gallery Q opening reception at 7pm
� June 3 - Mary Capello and Peter Covino - "Voluptuous Spirits: A Reading in Dialogue"
� June 4 - Love in the Age of Grindr: Gay Male Sexuality in the 21st Century
� June 5 - "Queens of Heart" - Documentary & Panel on Drag in our communities
� June 6 - Bi the Way: A panel on Bisexuality, Coming Out, Staying Out and Speaking Out
� June 7 - GENDERSPEAK - A spoken word event on all things gender
� June 12 - "World's Worst Place to Be Gay" - Documentary & Discussion on Pride in Hostile Environments
� June 19 - "Outrage" -- Documentary & Panel on Outing and Conservative Politicians
� June 25 - What's so Queer about Andy Warhol - a discussion
� June 26 - "Black, White and Gray" - Documentary about Mapplethorp, Wagstaff and Patti Smith
� June 28 - Closing Celebration

� Gay Pride Bingo - It's not your grandmother's game. Hosted by the infamous Kitty Litter, Gay Pride Bingo is a fun and prize filled event that draws hundreds of players each year. It is scheduled for Thursday, June 14 at 7 p.m. at the The Riviera Bingo Palace; 1612 Elmwood Ave., Cranston, RI. For more information, visit www.prideri.com.

� The Providence Gay Men's Chorus will be performing a production of "Out on the Bay" at Beneficent Church from Thursday, June 7 until Sunday, June 10. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $20 per person. For more information, visit www.provgmc.org.

� For both singles and couples looking to experience the local nightlife, there are a variety of gay bars and clubs including The Stable, The Dark Lady, AlleyCat, Union, Providence Eagle, Mirabar, Luna's at Roots Caf�, Sofrito at Lot 401 and Hush RI. For more information, visit www.prideri.com.

RI Pride is also excited to offer a special rate for gay travelers during the month of June. Weekend accommodations at the Providence Courtyard Marriott will be a discounted at $115 per room; based on double occupancy. Deadline for all reservations is June 4, 2012.

Guests can register via phone by calling 1-888-887-7955 and mentioning "RIPS" or "Rhode Island Pride 2012 Room Block." Visitors can also register online at www.marriott.com/pvddt and use the following codes based on rooms selected:
� King Bed Guestrooms use promotional code - RIPRIPA
� Double Bed Guestrooms use promotional code - RIPRIPB

To book a vacation in Providence, please visit www.goprovidence.com. For more detailed information on pride month activities, please visit www.goprovidence.com/visitors/gay-providence/.

Providence is a vibrant and energetic destination boasting some of the country's finest educational institutions paired with a pulsating artistic landscape. The city's history of innovation, dating back to its founding father Roger Williams, drives a strong sense of place and encourages residents and visitors alike to view Providence as a leading arts and cultural destination.

Providence seamlessly blends the urban sophistication of a big city with the graceful charm of a small town replete with internationally-acclaimed restaurants and a thriving arts scene.

For more information visit, www.prideri.com