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Options Magazine has announced the finalists for the second annual Options Awards, voting is now under way until September 16.
The second annual Options Awards is an event that honors Rhode Island’s LGBTQ communities and allies. Nominations for the Options Awards were open for the entire month of July -- longer and sooner than last year's Options Awards nomination process. This led to a larger number of nominations, more categories having nominees, and many new faces this year. In fact, nearly every category has new members of the community up as finalists this year.
Given the competitive nature of the nominations process, nearly every category this year was narrowed down to five finalists. The one exception that has more finalists was best drag performer with ten finalists. The decision was made to have a larger pool of drag nominees than other categories because the editor did not wish for an angry mob of drag queens to appear outside his house.
The biggest changes this year are the inclusion of more categories, including photography, stand up comic, podcast, and local coffee shop. Altogether there are over 100 individuals and organizations nominated in 34 categories.
The full list of finalists is below:
People, Artists, and Activists
Rhode Island’s LGBTQ Hero Of The Year
Ladiva Jonz
Tiara Mack
Rodney Davis
Giona Picheco
Top Local Activist
Alex Kithes
Wendy Becker
Stephen Hogan Jr.
Kate Montero
Rodney Davis
Top Local Activist For Trans Rights
Donnie Anderson
Jaye Watts
Antonio Reisopoulos
Best Local Ally
Jen Bonin
Andrew Sharp
Enrique Sanchez
Steve Ahlquist
Kat Murray
Best Local Actor
Graham Stokes in Disorienting Dick and other performances
Rachel Warren of Trinity Rep
Mike Joseph in Saint Drogo and other performances
Olivia Sahlin in The Naughty List and other performance
Payton St James in Death Drop Gorgeous and other performances
Best Local Artist
Annie Tuthill
Claire Annette
Yung Onyx
Steven Kp
Ken Tasho
Best Local Photographer
Ryan Welch
Jen Bonin
Brooke Seminick
Derrick Woods-Morrow
Grayson Rose
Best Local Poet
AJ Delsignor
Aimee Nicole
Felicia Nimue Ackerman
Justice Gaines
John-Francis Quiñonez
Nightlife
Best Gay Bar In Rhode Island
The Eagle
Alley Cat
The Stable
Dark Lady
Mirabar
Best Lesbian-Friendly Bar or Dance Club
The Dark Lady
Free Play
Askew
Ego
Rewind
Best Local Stand-Up Comic
Karen O'Donnell
John Kelley
Jordan Valois
Best Local DJ
Coleslaw - Stable/Askew
DJ Jake Gerifano - Eagle
Jakey Poo - Eagle
DJ Patrick Graham Jr
Zoila Rosa
Best Bartender
Kyle Silva - Free Play
Mike Rigney - Stable
Kyle Prunk - Mirabar
Cathy O - Alley Cat and Dark Lady
Zack Provost - Ego
Top Drag Performer
Claire Annette
Complete Destruction
Viza D. Klein
Calypso Phoenix Brown
Yung Onyx
Ninny Nothin
LaDiva Jonz
Lexi Prozac
Haley Star
Rage Ramzee-Brown
Best Drag Show
A-List - Stable
Drag Brunch - Black Sheep
Lip Sync Assassins - Dark Lady
Gauntlet - Mirabar
The Trailer Park Girls Brunch
Best Pride Block Party Of 2023
Mirabar
The Dark Lady
Ego
The Eagle
The Stable
Food and Dining
Best Local Coffee Shop
Bolt
Borealis
Nitro Bar
White Electric
Seven Stars
Top Restaurant
Gracie's, Providence, RI
Res American Bistro, Providence, RI
Apsara, Providence, RI
The George, Providence, RI
Red Stripe, Providence, RI
Best Chef
Evan Matthew
Heber A. Aguilar
Jennifer Backman
Max Hodge
Paul Murphy
Best Take Out
Al-Shami
Apsara
Chinatown on Thayer
Frisky Fries
Gourmet House
Best Late Night Eats
Mirabar
Baja Tex Mex
Sakis Pizzeria
Ma’s Donuts
Courtland Club
Media
Best Local News Outlet
UpRise RI
Options Magazine
NBC 10 News
GoLocalProv
WPRI 12
Best Local Journalist
Steve Ahlquist, Stubstack Newsletter
Dan McGowen - The Boston Globe
Shiina Losciuto - WPRI
Alex Morash, Options Magazine
Mario Hilario, NBC 10 News
Best Local Podcast
Tea with Taylor
Providence Vibes
The Nurse and The Worst
Non-Profits, Resources, And Social Clubs
Best Rhode Island Non-Profit
AIDS Care Ocean State
Haus of Codec
Thundermist
Youth Pride Inc.
Rhode Island Pride
Best LGBTQ Social Club Or Support Group
Haus of Codec
Pride In Aging - Formerly Sage RI
Youth Pride, INC
Queers and Beers
PFLAG Providence
Best Local LGBTQ Sports League or Club
Providence Gay Flag Football League
Frontrunners Rhode Island
Outloud Sports
Chiltern Mountain Club
OutRyders SKIING
Best Local LGBTQ Sports Athlete
Brian Patrick Mulligan -- Fronterrunners
Chris Almonte - PVDGFFL
Michael Petracca - PVDGFFL
Ostin Linnehan - PVDGFFL
Rob Rannin Jr. - PVDGFFL
Best LGBTQ Event of 2023
Illuminated Night Parade and Festival -- RI Pride
Newport Pride
Market Days -- Haus of Codec
Sunset Drag Cruise -- Newport Out
Woonsocket Pride
Local Businesses
Best Hair Salon or Barbershop
Urban Fellow, Providence, RI
Strands, Providence, RI
Flipp Apothecary, Providence, RI
The G Salon, Providence, RI
Aruverde for Rosebud Salon, Providence, RI
Best Hair Stylist or Barber
Simony Resende, Aruverde for Rosebud Salon
Lisa Pasquale, Strands
Vinn Hartman, The G. Salon & Spa
Normand G. Couture, Strands
Shane Szrom, Strands
Best Real Estate Agent
Cassia Foster
Don Batten
Ray Sirico
Gary Jacques
Marcus Randolph
Best Doctor’s Office or Health Care Provider
Thundermist Health Center
Anchor Medical
Tri-County Health Center
Open Door Health
Planned Parenthood Providence
Best LGBTQ-Owned Business
Mister Sister
FreePlay Bar and Arcade
The Stable
Res American Bistro
Mirabar
Voting is now open on the Options Awards finalists until September 16.