The Winners Of The Options Awards!

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.

The Options Awards saw nearly 200 people in attendance.

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

Image from the stage of Dark Lady during Pride.

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