Options Magazine hosted the Options Awards Party at Mirabar on October 18. Nearly 200 people came out to Mirabar that night to see who won and celebrate the winners. Viza D. Klein MC’d while Options Editor-in-Chief Alex Morash announced the winners and Options Board Chair Mike Marrapodi handed out the awards. Grayson Rose served as the event’s official photographer.
The winners were first announced live at the event, followed by the winners being reported on by Providence Vibes an Options Podcast soon after. The episode was a deep dive into the awards. Now, the full list of winners is available to the public online.
Options thanks Thundermist, and Mirabar for being sponsors of the event. Options also thanks the hard work of Options Development and Advertising Director Gil Pontes and the board of directors who all played an important part in making the night a success.
The Options winners were selected after a two-month nominating and voting process. Over 80 nominations were submitted and narrowed down the finalists in 29 categories. Options received over 2,500 votes from readers to give us the first annual Options Award winners!
The night was filled with fun and festivity for all, with the audience even enjoying the dramatic news that the runner-up for best drag performer was a tie! Below is a video compilation from Jen Bonin followed by the full list of winners.
The Options Award Winners of 2022
Activism
Rhode Island’s LGBTQ Hero Of The Year
Winner: The community as a whole
Runner Up: Tiara Mack
Top Local Activist
Winner: Bret Jacob
Runner Up: Dr. Jodi Glass
Editor’s Choice: Jackie Goldman
Top Local Activist For Trans Rights
Winner: Lauren Nocera
Runner Up: Donnie Anderson
Best Local Ally
Winner: Jen Bonin
Runner Up: Steve Ahlquist
The Arts
Best Local Actor
Winner: Joe Wilson Jr.
Runner Up: Graham Stokes
Best Local Artist
Winner: Ninny Nothin
Runner Up: Grayson Rose
Best Local Poet
Winner: Justice Gaines
Runner Up: AJ Delsignor
Food & Dining
Best Take Out
Winner: Frisky Fries
Runner Up: Providence Coal Fire Pizza
Best Chef
Winner: Evan Matthew
Runner Up: Jennifer Backman
Top Restaurant
Winner: Res American Bistro, Providence, RI
Runner Up: Julians, Providence, RI
Media
Best Local Reporter, Writer, Or Columnist
Winner: Mario Hilario, NBC 10 News
Runner Up: Steve Ahlquist, UpRise RI
Best News Outlet
Winner: Options Magazine
Runner Up: UpRise RI
Non Profits, Social, and Athletic Clubs
Best Local LGBTQ Sports Athlete
Winner: Ryan Kinnehan
Runner Up: Dante Tavolaro
Best Local LGBTQ Sports League or Club
Winner: Providence Gay Flag Football League
Runner Up: Providence Roller Derby
Best LGBTQ Social Club Or Support Group
Winner: Haus of Codec
Runner Up: PFLAG RI
Best Rhode Island Non Profit
Winner: AIDS Care Ocean State
Runner Up: Youth Pride Inc.
Editor’s Choice: Haus of Codec
Nightlife
Best Late Night Eats
Winner: Mirabar
Runner Up: Insomnia Cookies
Best Pride Block Party Of 2022
Winner: The Dark Lady
Runner Up: Ego
Best LGBTQ Event of 2022
Winner: RI Pride’s Illuminated Night Parade & Festival
Runner Up: Open Door Health’s The Gala PVD
Best Bartender
Winner: Cathy O, The Alley Cat and Dark Lady
Runner Up: Michael Correra, The Stable
Editor’s Choice: Kyle Silva, Free Play
Best Lesbian-Friendly Bar or Dance Club
Winner: The Dark Lady
Runner Up: Askew
Best Drag Show
Winner: Trailer Park Girls, Sunday Drag Brunch
Runner Up: Free Play Mondays GaymeR Night
Top Drag Performer
Winner: Jacqueline DiMera
Runner Up: A tie between Kira Stone and Ninny Nothin
Best Gay Bar In Rhode Island
Winner: The Dark Lady and Alley Cat
Runner Up: The Stable
Small Businesses
Best Hair Salon or Barbershop
Winner: Urban Fellow, Providence, RI
Runner Up: Flipp Salon, Providence, RI
Best Hair Stylist or Barber
Winner: Vinn Hartman, The G. Salon & Spa
Runner Up: Eddie Curi, Urban Fellow
Best Real Estate Agent
Winner: Ray Sirico
Runner Up: Michael Sweeney
Best Doctor’s Office or Health Care Provider
Winner: Open Door Health
Runner Up & Sponsor of the Options Awards Show: Thundermist Health Center
Best LGBTQ-Owned Business
Winner: Mister Sister
Runner Up: FreePlay Bar and Arcade
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