Local
LGBT Latino support group formed
Community meeting set for Jan. 11
Highlandtown in Baltimore (Photo by Smallbones; courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
Recognizing that there is a lack of focused support for Latino members of the LGBT community in Baltimore, Lilian Amaya, 27, and four others decided to do something about it. They formed a group that they hope will help address this underserved portion of the community.
Most of the Latino LGBT population lives in or near the Highlandtown area of Baltimore yet the majority of the LGBT services are located in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. Amaya believes that aside from the location barriers to services, the Latino LGBT community faces many other intersectional barriers, such as not being able to speak English, immigration status, acceptance in culture and isolation.
“A few of the group members have lived in Baltimore for quite some time and have seen programs focused around the Latino LGBTQ community come and go,” Amaya told the Blade. “During our initial planning meeting, it was clear that the Latino LGBTQ community of Baltimore is in need of support that is consistent and will not go away here in Highlandtown.”
To begin to fill that void, a community meeting for Latino LGBT individuals has been scheduled for Jan. 11 from 5-8 p.m. in the Southeast Enoch Pratt Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., in Baltimore. Topics to be discussed include: What are the problems our community faces? What resources do we have? How can we support ourselves?
“We are hoping that this initial community meeting will be a good introduction to group meetings held monthly in Highlandtown for the Latino LGBTQ community as well as an opportunity for the community to have voice,” said Amaya, who is Bilingual Service Coordinator at House of Ruth Maryland.
A colleague introduced Amaya to Alfredo Santiago, who is working with Amaya to organize the Latino LGBTQ group. A social worker who has lived in the community for more than 15 years, Santiago works for RISE, which is a retreat for gay and bisexual men.
“It is time to acknowledge and recognize the Latino LGBTQ community presence in Baltimore,” Santiago told the Blade. “In unity, there is space for personal and community development.”
For more information, call 410-241-9824 or email [email protected].
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Congratulations to Jaime Christopher Pierce on their appointment to serve as a member of the Virginia Governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Pierce was sworn in on Sept. 3 by Greg Parks, clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Pierce currently serves as vice chair of the Alexandria City LGBTQIA+ Task Force and as a member of the Alexandria Pride planning committee. They previously served on the board of directors of Equality Virginia.
Upon being sworn in, Pierce said, “Public service has been a central part of my life for more than 30 years, and this appointment gives me an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth in a different and very personal way. My career has allowed me to work with people and communities throughout Virginia, and I hope to bring that experience, along with my own lived experience and my involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, to the work of the Board.” They added, “Having Greg administer the oath makes the occasion even more meaningful because of his own historic role as Virginia’s first openly gay elected circuit court clerk.”
Pierce also serves as Circuit Court Services Manager for the Department of Judicial Services, at the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. They began their career in Virginia’s judiciary in 1994 as a deputy clerk with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and have since held several professional and leadership positions within the court system. Pierce is a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management. At the national level, Pierce participated in the workgroup that developed the National Association for Court Management’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guide, a resource designed to help court professionals advance inclusive practices and strengthen access, fairness and belonging within the justice system.
Pierce earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University, and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Norfolk State University.
Maryland
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Pride Center of Maryland among recipients
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.
The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
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Comings & Goings
LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15
Calendar: September 11-17
Multi-billion-dollar 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to continue until 2090
Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes
Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards
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