The Nation's First Out Governor?

After overseeing an impressive city makeover, Providence mayor David Cicilline has his sights set on the statehouse.

By Matt Link

David cicilline wove his way through a skybox, mixing with prominent politicos at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last August. As president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors, he played host to notables like San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, congressman Barney Frank, and Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Everyone greeted him as a longtime friend, laughed at whispered jokes, and lounged as if paying a family visit to his living room.

Cicilline’s star has risen rapidly since he became mayor of Providence, R.I., six years ago. When the 47-year-old Rhode Island native, son of a Jewish mother and Italian-American father, assumed the post in 2003 after winning a landslide 84% of the vote, he became the first openly gay mayor of a state capital. Providence in turn became the largest U.S. city with an out mayor -- until Sam Adams took office in Portland, Ore., this January. Cicilline then proceeded to draw over $3 billion worth of investments to the city, erasing a $59 million debt and reducing the crime rate to its lowest level in 30 years. He launched cultural programs, invested in education, and employed incentives to help revamp the once-downtrodden downtown.

Cicilline’s audacity has made him a very popular mayor and raised the city’s national profile. In 2007, The Wall Street Journal named Providence one of the world’s top 10 up-and-coming travel destinations; it was the only U.S. city to make the list. He succeeded a notoriously corrupt mayor, Vincent “Buddy” Cianci Jr., who ran the city like a godfather of sorts for more than 20 years before going to prison in 2001 on racketeering and corruption convictions.

“We have to demonstrate that Rhode Island is an honest place to do business, that it has a state government that works and is transparent, with competitive tax policies,” Cicilline says, “you know, good, old-fashioned salesmanship.”

READ COMMENTS (6) EMAIL PRINT RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Shirley Drouin
Date posted: 1/11/2009 2:05:00 PM
Hometown: Paducah Ky

Comment:
All people want is honest and decent leaders. You can be Gay and still be honest and decent. Most Gay people are and I count myself as one of them. He sounds like a good man.
Back to top
Name: Brian
Date posted: 1/10/2009 11:18:00 PM
Hometown: Anaheim, H8

Comment:
I miss New England.
Back to top
Name: Ian
Date posted: 1/10/2009 10:36:00 PM
Hometown: Washington, DC

Comment:
Hmmm, it sounds like the mayor is single. Not that often that you hear of a prominent, ambitious politician in his late forties who's not partnered. Not that it really matters, but I wonder if folks in RI would be ignoring his marital status if he were straight.
Back to top
Name: Randall
Date posted: 1/10/2009 5:13:00 PM
Hometown: West Hollywood

Comment:
This is an encouraging situation that demonstrates the person over their sexuality. That appears to be exactly how he sees it as most of us do. It’s true that the more affective we are, often subjects such as our sexuality or gender become a mute point. Senator Feinstein recently said she felt she overcame the gender challenge because she proved how affective she is. The same can go for us. If Mr. Cicillini’s personal life can remain standard, somewhat ordinary, solid in principles, and an everyday guy he has a chance. We know the other side will use it against him. Instead of saying I’m gay and I do this, he’s saying I do this and I happen to be gay. Straight politicians don’t say I’m straight and I do this. Straight people immediately resist and are tired of hearing about gay issues. We have to change the approach. This is an example of somewhere to start from.
Back to top
Name: Keith Flaherty
Date posted: 1/9/2009 4:53:00 PM
Hometown: Providence

Comment:
I can assure your national readers that Chris does not represent the majority view in Providence. The bad economy has hit Rhode Island hard, but Mayor Cicilline has been one of the few bright lights in the darkness. He's incredibly smart and has taken up every tough political fight you can imagine. He's taken on the old union bosses. He's taken on the immigrant scapegoaters. He's taken on our Republican governor. And he's taken on the old boys in his own party. The guy is tireless and Providence is still on the rise despite being in a state with almost 10% unemployment.
Back to top
Name: Chris
Date posted: 1/8/2009 5:40:00 PM
Hometown: Providence

Comment:
I work in Providence, and even helped out candidate Cilline campaign when he first ran as mayor. I like him alot; however, he is no Buddy Cianci! In fact, the crime rate around where my office was in downtown got so bad under Cilline's watch, that my company moved up state. RI's current goverenor is against gay marriage and civil unions. So I do hope David gets it for that reason, but I don't think the state thinks that highly of his affectiveness as mayor. Not to mention that Hillary did kick him out of a campaign fundraiser when she was in New England during the primaries because he refuses to sign the PVD firefighters contract.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Art Artist Spotlight: Que Duong

A fortune-teller told Que Duong's mother he would amount to nothing — which is why he gives everything he has to each photo he takes.

News Features What Gays Need to Know About the Census
This year’s 10-question census sheet still present some gray areas as far as answering properly. We tell you some key facts on how to most accurately fill out your form.

Music Thicke and Juicy

Sexy soul singer Robin Thicke opens up about his Precious wife, homophobia in the music industry, and the gay men who’ve shaped his life and love since childhood.

Internet Herman on Why He Wants to Stop H8

Fitness trainer, Real World alum, and marriage equality advocate Scott Herman took some time between crunches to tell The Advocate that his concern for gay rights isn't manufactured, and he doesn't mind men checking him out.

Theater In Rehearsals for La Cage With Nick Adams

Broadway performer Nick Adams heads into rehearsals for the Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles and brings The Advocate along for the ride.

People Life on the G List: Gyms of L.A.

For an actor in L.A., which gym you go to is almost as important as who represents you. Which is why out actor David Moretti goes to almost all of them.

News Celebration of Courage Not So Courageous

Advocate contributor Michael Lucas says the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission needs to be doing more to stop violence against gays and lesbians in countries "oppressed by Islam."

Entertainment News The Trouble With Johnny

Johnny Weir will always be an attention-seeking brat who loves to wear fur. But he’s also the best thing to ever happen to men’s figure skating.

Commentary A Prom Canceled, A Preschooler Expelled

Columnist Kim Stolz wonders if banning a lesbian high-schooler from prom — and a preschooler with lesbian moms from kindergarten — is just a sign the Catholic church is gasping for air.

Television Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?

Millionaire Douglas Donahoo is looking for the perfect man (who is also eco-friendly). Will matchmaker Patti Stanger deliver?

Commentary The Truth Behind Her Name Was Steven

Advocate contributor Eden Lane says CNN's Her Name Was Steven will help raise the visibility of trans people on TV, but the most compelling part of Susan Stanton's journey was left to a title card at the end of the film.

Television Laverne, Surely
I Want to Work for Diddy alum Laverne Cox leads a trio of transgender ladies in VH1’s Transform Me, a new makeover show that flatters her hooker-heavy résumé.

Music Cherie’s Jubilee
With The Runaways, the new film about her life with Joan Jett, pioneering rock star Cherie Currie is enjoying a renaissance ... with a little help from Dakota Fanning.

Washington D C View From Washington: Universal Stagnation

As Democrats struggle to push through health care reform and LGBT legislation, some gay activists are suggesting the administration's failings are a product of incompetence.

Activism Sex-Ed Student Turns Teen Activist

When sex education classes at Danny Sparks's high school failed to address the issues important to him, he took matters into his own hands ... and became an activist in the process.

Photography Artist Spotlight: Ryan Colford

From his "candy shoppe" line — sweet treats made oh-so sexy — to his black and white studies of the male form, photographer Ryan Colford exposes the beauty of the male body.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Matt Damon, Alicia, Almodóvar
This week Matt Damon finds himself in Iraq, Alicia plays MGM, and Almodóvar's genius finds its way to your DVD player.

Commentary What Massa Could Learn From Ashburn

COMMENTARY: Matthew S. Bajko says Republican California state senator Roy Ashburn deserves praise for coming out of the closet despite his antigay voting record. Now, if only former congressman Eric Massa would follow his lead.

Music The Truth About Tracy and Kim

Don’t be tardy for this party! DJ Tracy Young comes clean — mostly — about her rumored lesbian relationship with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak.

News Kids Say the Darndest Things

Micah Schraft and his boyfriend, John, were filming Micah's family at Thanksgiving when the 5-year-old son of a family friend wanted to know if the two were husbands. The result is a video you have to see.

Commentary The Importance of Being Counted

With benefits from boosting hate-crimes and marriage equality laws to simply letting legislators know gay Americans indeed exist, the 2010 Census is a chance to stand up and be counted.