Rhode Island
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Rhode Island officially the State of Rhode Island, is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area and the seventh-least populous, with slightly fewer than 1.1 million residents as of 2020, but it is the second-most densely populated after New Jersey. It takes its name from the eponymous island, though most of its land area is on the mainland. Rhode Island borders Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound; it also shares a small maritime border with New York.[10] Providence is its capital and most populous city.
Native Americans lived around Narragansett Bay for thousands of years before English settlers began arriving in the early 17th century. Rhode Island was unique among the Thirteen British Colonies for being founded by a refugee, Roger Williams, who fled religious persecution from the Massachusetts Bay Colony to establish a haven for religious liberty. He founded Providence in 1636 on land purchased from local tribes, creating the first settlement in North America with an explicitly secular government. The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations subsequently became a destination for religious and political dissenters and social outcasts, earning it the moniker "Rogue's Island".
Reflecting its status as a hub of relative tolerance and free thought, Rhode Island was the first colony to call for a Continental Congress in 1774 and the first to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown on May 4, 1776. After the American Revolution, during which it was heavily occupied and contested, Rhode Island became the fourth state to ratify the Articles of Confederation on February 9, 1778. Favoring a weaker central government, it boycotted the 1787 convention that drafted the United States Constitution, which it initially refused to ratify; it was the last of the original 13 states to do so, on May 29, 1790.
It was officially named the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations since the colonial era, but commonly became known as simply "Rhode Island". In November 2020 the state's voters approved an amendment to the state constitution formally dropping "and Providence Plantations" from its full name. Its official nickname is the "Ocean State", a reference to its 400 miles (640 km) of coastline and the large bays and inlets that comprise about 14% of its total area.
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is widely recognized as one of the most LGBTQ+-affirming states in the U.S., characterized by strong legal protections, progressive public opinion, and active community support.
- Legal Protections and Policies
Rhode Island has enacted comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that protect individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations. These protections have been in place since 1995 for sexual orientation and were expanded in 2001 to include gender identity or expression.
The state legalized same-sex marriage in 2013 and permits same-sex couples to adopt children. In 2017, Rhode Island banned conversion therapy for minors, further solidifying its commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
In 2024, Governor Daniel McKee signed a "shield law" designating Rhode Island as a sanctuary state for gender-affirming care and abortion providers, ensuring legal protections for both providers and recipients of such care.
- Public Opinion
Public support for LGBTQ+ rights in Rhode Island is notably high. A 2022 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 80% of Rhode Islanders supported same-sex marriage, and 84% favored laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.
This widespread support is reflected across political affiliations. Nationally, overwhelming numbers of Democrats (90%), Independents (82%), and Republicans (66%) favor nondiscrimination provisions for LGBTQ+ people.
- Community and Culture
Providence, the state capital, is known for its vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ+ community. Residents describe it as "VERY friendly," with numerous clubs, bars, and support organizations.
The Rhode Island Foundation has been a steadfast ally, providing uninterrupted grant support to LGBTQ+ organizations for over 20 years, focusing on advocacy, youth services, health, and more.
- Challenges and Considerations
Despite the state's progressive stance, challenges persist. A 2022 report indicated that 15% of transgender employees in Rhode Island experienced workplace harassment, and 24% of LGBTQ+ individuals reported food insecurity, nearly double the rate of non-LGBTQ+ residents.
Additionally, while urban areas like Providence are notably inclusive, some rural regions may be less welcoming, with individuals expressing caution about being openly transgender in certain areas.
- Legislative Support
In May 2025, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a resolution affirming the state's commitment to protecting the civil rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, emphasizing the right of every individual to live openly and authentically.
Overall, Rhode Island's legal framework, public opinion, and community initiatives collectively foster a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, while ongoing efforts continue to address existing challenges and disparities.
History of the Rhode Island Flag
The Rhode Island State Flag features a white background with a golden and blue emblem emblazoned at the center. The emblem consists of a golden ship anchor surrounded by thirteen golden five-pointed stars. Beneath the anchor, within the circle of stars, is a blue banner with golden text that reads, "Hope." The thirteen stars signify the original thirteen colonies as well as Rhode Island's position as the thirteenth state to ratify the constitution. The anchor is an early Christian symbol of hope, which has been used in Rhode Island on various military regiment flags since the 1600s. The symbol references the following biblical quotation: "hope we have as an anchor of the soul," and pays homage to the founders of the state who were devout Christians.
The current flag of Rhode Island was adopted by the state's General Assembly in 1897; however, the current design is based on a design by its founders, Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams. They were English Puritan ministers who left England to find religious freedom in what became New England in the 17th century. Williams received a Royal Charter to use the anchor design as his own seal in 1644. He added "Hope" to the anchor seal he had used as the flag of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which he established in 1636. This is still the state's official name. Williams had fled religious persecution in neighboring Massachusetts. The white and blue colors of the flag pay homage to flags hoisted by various military regiments from Rhode Island dating back to the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States, yet it is only the 7th least populated state due to the fact that it is the 2nd most densely populated state in the country. Covering an area of just 1,214 square miles, it has a population of more than a million people. Situated in the far northeast of the USA, much of the state is dominated by the Atlantic Ocean and Rhode Island's many waterways that feed into it. The most prominent topographical feature of Rhode Island is Narragansett Bay, which is located off the east coast of the state and is home to more than 30 islands within the bay. Narragansett Bay also forms part of a lowland region of the state, while the west of the state rises into the New England Upland. Rhode Island's largest city and capital is Providence, located in the northeast of the state.
By the time of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Rhode Island was a well-established colony. Providence particularly played a significant role in achieving the USA's independence from the British Empire. As the state's flag illustrates, Rhode Island was one of the 13 founding states of the Union. It is known as the Ocean State due to its extensive coastline, especially for such a small state. Rhode Island is also part of the Northeastern Coastal Forests Ecoregion.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Rhode Island
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