More info: Every Sunday, from 3pm-5pm, we are gathering at the Gano Park basketball courts (east side of providence) to hang out, shoot around, and play some games. All bball backgrounds welcome – you can join for social basketball time, shootaround, casual playing, and/or run some faster games as your queer heart desires!
Want to get involved? You can follow us on instagram for updates: https://www.instagram.com/queerhoops.pvd/
At Advanced Action Sports in West Warwick, Qayden Cole is creating a truly inclusive space where everyone can have fun and feel welcome. As the owner of Advanced Action, Qayden’s goal has always been about bringing people together through joy and creating community.
Qayden got started in the warehouse side of big box retail, but discovered a health condition requiring a career change. As a result, she found her true passions in gaming, action sports, and event planning. Qayden initially started out consulting for other companies in the industry, leading her to develop a strong relationship with the original owner of Advanced Action before coming on as Co-Owner.
At its core, Advanced Action Sports is a family entertainment facility offering memberships, corporate events, parties and more. Guests can enjoy virtual reality games, airsoft activities, indoor paintball, and laser tag battles, with a spacious area also dedicated to tabletop gaming. At AAS, inclusion is a top priority. Qayden explains, “We’re a safe outlet. We get cosplayers, gamers, and people who want to engage in creative activities with other people in their communities.”
Advanced Action Sports has truly thrived under Qayden’s caring leadership over the past five years in Rhode Island. She exudes thoughtfulness, compassion, and a dedication to bringing joy to others through quality entertainment and community-building.
Qayden’s piece of advice for any queer entrepreneur perfectly captures this community-focused entrepreneurial spirit: “Your customer database is your treasure. Keep in touch with your base, show them you care. Keep reaching out to provide value and build rapport.”
AAS is always ready to welcome more of the community, with Qayden explaining, “I’d love to use this as a gathering space for the community more. Right now the space is mostly used on weekends, and I’d love to have people getting together on other days of the week either using the space for its purpose or just using it as a gathering place.”
To learn more about Advanced Action Sports or connect with Qayden, visit advancedactionsports.com or reach out to contact@advancedactionsports.com.
As a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of QueerRI (QueerRI.com), Syd L, LICSW, is dedicated to improving healthcare access and awareness for the queer community in Rhode Island. QueerRI is a comprehensive online resource site and directory connecting people to accurate information and inclusive LGBTQ+ specific resources statewide. Whether community members are seeking a doctor, therapist, support group or small business – QueerRI has it covered.
Syd started QueerRI to make life simpler for both clients and professionals in the queer community. “The goal was to take workload off clients and providers looking for resources,” Syd shares.
This idea came from Syd working with other healthcare providers. “I teamed up with some folks providing similar services all over, and realized how handy it would be to have all our stuff in one place,” Syd explains, and from there QueerRI was born.
QueerRI launched two years ago and the response has far surpassed expectations. With the directory spanning healthcare, legal support, community groups and more, users love the ability to find culturally competent care in whatever area they need. Syd takes great pride in knowing QueerRI eases access during what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming search process.
As the smallest state, Rhode Island also presents a unique opportunity. As Syd notes, “In a small state like RI, it’s possible to include everything, unlike larger states where the scale makes it impossible.” While the scale of that opportunity is rewarding, Syd recognizes that it’s a massive undertaking and an ongoing effort to keep the database accurate and inclusive.
Outside of managing QueerRI, Syd is an organizer of the annual Rhode Island Trans Health Conference. This event for community members and professionals promotes education and connection around trans healthcare statewide. Syd sees the conference and QueerRI as intrinsically linked parts of their mission – elevating visibility and improving social determinants of health for all queer people. Donations and sponsorships to the Trans Health Conference are also appreciated to spread awareness.
For anyone considering entrepreneurship in Rhode Island, Syd advises talking directly with peers already serving local needs. “Find what communities really require by talking to them and the people already serving them,” they recommend.
For more info about QueerRI or to be added to the site, complete the form in the footer or drop Syd a line at queer.rhode.island@gmail.com. Syd also loves to hear from folx about their experiences with providers and businesses to keep QueerRI up to date and an accurate reflection of the community’s experience with each listing.
Queer RI 