1 RIVER FURTADO , ARTIST “ I first started questioning my sexuality around the time same-sex marriage was legalized , and I think it would have taken me much longer to accept otherwise . So for a long time , Pride to me was about coming out . But now , it ’ s about having a safe space where you may not necessarily need labels , and you can have the freedom , safety and education to explore and become who you want to be . I ’ m only twenty-four and I know that I can be different ten years or even a year from now . I don ’ t think there is another community where I would feel as comfortable .”
56 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JUNE 2024