Meet Rhode Island Pride's Best-Kept Secret

If you're an LGBTQ person or ally in Rhode Island, you know Alexis Gorriaran -- or you've at least benefited from his contributions to the Ocean State. Now, you will now him as one of The Advocate's Champions of Pride.

An activist of over 20 years, the 45-year-old Providence resident served as president of Rhode Island Pride for nearly a decade. In this capacity, he cofounded the state's famous night Pride parade, which raised the visibility of the Rhode Island's LGBTQ community, illuminated Providence as a queer capital, and brought a windfall of tourism to the Divine City.

In addition to Pride, Gorriaran has worked with the National LGBTQ Task Force and serves as chair and commissioner of the Providence Tourism Council. He is also the former LGBTQ liaison to the city of Providence and directed the mayoral inaugurations in 2011, 2015, and 2019.

A certified special event professional, he also works as the senior director of marketing for (add)ventures, produces events for governments, nonprofits, and companies alike. As a gay man of Cuban descent who is bilingual, Gorriaran is proud to be an ambassador of Providence and its diversity.

"As the creative capital, Providence has developed a culture of inclusivity, social justice, equality and advocacy for the LGBTQ community," he says. "Celebrating the pride and diversity of our community has become a fabric of our city and the state of Rhode Island. We have made some great strides to create a welcoming and incredibly diverse city that allows individuals to live their truth."