RI Alliance Fourth of July Parade

Name/Title

RI Alliance Fourth of July Parade

Entry/Object ID

2025.2.7

Tags

Lesbian Visibility, LGBTQ Pride, Marches, Protest

Description

Two cream crew-neck t-shirts with a red, white, and blue star graphic surrounded by black text that says "Rhode Island Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, 207th Bristol Fourth of July Parade, 1992"

Use

Parade apparel.

Context

The Alliance submitted a proposal to enter a float in the storied "longest-running" Bristol 4th of July parade. Despite a lot of local opposition, their proposal was accepted. They engaged in several safety and peacekeeping trainings and decorated a float on which 15-25 people rode, uniformly attired in this t-shirt. The float celebrated the Bill of Rights and had the RI Alliance name on a banner. M'lyn recalls, "The stains on these t-shirts were well-earned: some people jeered, some threw eggs and other objects. But many applauded and the float was awarded 2nd place in the 'most-patriotic' category." The float and the Alliance' members participation in the parade were part of the larger strategy of public education undertaken by the Alliance.

Clothing/Dress/Costume Details

Article of Clothing/Dress/Costume

T-Shirt

Textile Details

Fabric

Cotton

Location

Box

T-Shirt Box - New England #1

Rack

Rack Storage

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Rhode Island Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights

Create Date

February 1, 2025

Update Date

February 18, 2025