Meet Sean O’Connor | Tour Guide + Environmentalist + LGBTQ+ Community Builder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean O’Connor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risks are everything!! We took over Newport Out in 2018, which was certainly a leap. Newport Out is a small business dedicated to serving as a resource for LGBTQ+ visitors to Newport, Rhode Island. And we also work to make Newport more welcoming and inclusive for all folks, including the local community. We produce events, share resources and support, marketing, experience curation, and more. Although I am from the Newport area, I had lived away for a long time and was just freshly back with my life and business partner, Daniel. But it felt right on multiple levels – to do something meaningful, serve a need in our community, and engage in exciting and fulfilling work. The risk has certainly been worth it regarding how our community has responded, the people we’ve served, and our experiences in this work. Earlier this year, we also opened a sister non-profit, Newport Pride Inc. It’s also a risk of sorts to do this work – we strive to represent a super diverse LGBTQ+ community and you’re going to misstep, but always learning is the key part. And not everyone is always going to like what we do – sometimes unfortunately due to their own bigotry – but that just fuels us more.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Personally, a common thread through my diverse professional background is connecting people to places. I studied geography at university simply because I found it enthralling to be able to learn about all the interconnections and diversity in physical and human landscapes on our planet. But crafting our steps based on our passions can sometimes feel confusing. So it feels wonderfully full circle be in a place I love – coastal Rhode Island – connecting people to places but through the lens of inclusivity and LGBTQ+ identities. Everyone has the right to be themselves, and it takes work and community to make sure our location is truly welcoming to everyone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
You’ve asked the right person! Of course, it depends on the person, but I’ll give you my ideal week-long Rhode Island itinerary. We’ve do a few overnights in Providence and experienced all the food and culture there, including the RISD art museum. In Newport, our first stop would be the rainbow crosswalks we installed earlier this year and checking out the Broadway district. We’d get out on a boat for sure. I’d take you sailing myself. Newport also has so many facets to it – it’s not only Gilded Age mansions (which are fascinating). I would take you to my favorite park in the North End of the city for a hike and then maybe a sunset picnic on the water at Battery Park. We’d also find time for some iconic activities like cocktails in the Adirondack chairs at Castle Hill Inn on Ocean Drive. I’d give you an LGBTQ+ history walking tour and take us on a hike in Sachuest Wildlife Refuge. If we have time, we’d also take in some other amazing Rhode Island towns like Little Compton, and Bristol and pop out on the ferry to Block Island. We just returned from Queer Block Island’s second annual amazing Pride weekend!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my partner in life and business, Daniel Cano Restrepo. Dani and I met in Medellín, Colombia, in 2017, and life evolved quickly and wonderfully from there. I could not do what I do without him by my side. We nourish each other in so many ways. Without him, I wouldn’t be doing this work to build and support the LGBTQ+ community in Newport. He is an amazing asset to this organization for his creative experience, background, and lens as queer Latino he brings to the table.

Website: https://www.newportout.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nptout/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewportOut

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@newportout?lang=en

Image Credits
Sean/Daniel with Bridge: Lisette Rooney People on boat having fun: Sean O’Connor Step of City Hall with Flags: Bill Peresta Crosswalk photo: taken on Daniel’s phone, no credit needed