Local
Baltimore shows its Pride despite heat
Record crowd for annual parade
Thousands braved extreme heat for last weekend’s Baltimore Pride. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
As Baltimore Pride’s rainbow-hued parade meandered along Charles Street in the Mount Vernon neighborhood under a blazing cloudless sky, Reginald Morris remarked, “More people should come, it’s a fun day.” The Baltimore resident received his wish as an estimated 10,000 sweat-drenched souls braved blistering heat to view more than 100 units marching in the parade — a new Baltimore Pride record, according to parade coordinator Donald Young.
The 41st Baltimore Pride that encompassed several events throughout the week culminating with the grand two-day celebration in Mount Vernon on July 23 and Druid Hill Park on July 24 was themed “One Baltimore.” Pride is a program and principal fundraiser for the GLBT Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB).
An eclectic mix of service organizations, entertainers, drum-beating bands and corporations participated by marching on foot or on rainbow-decorated motor vehicles. Johns Hopkins Medicine’s contingent alone had 300 members.
Elected officials, such as Democratic candidate for Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh, senatorial candidate Chris Van Hollen, Rep. John Sarbanes and Del. Mary Washington marched as well as Police Commissioner Kevin Davis and other local officials.
Longtime activist and one of the community center’s founders Jim Becker and popular Baltimore DJ Rosie Hicks served as the parade’s grand marshals.
Julia, a 14-year-old from Baltimore who identifies as bisexual was attending her first Pride event and was gleefully snatching beads and snacks tossed into the crowd by parade participants. Her mother Ann told the Blade, “She really wanted to be here today. Who was I to deny her?”
There were some references in the parade to the massacre in Orlando that occurred six weeks ago, and more police and security presence was noted. Colin Riley of Ellicott City, Md., said that he was “glad to see such a diverse crowd come out especially because of what happened in Orlando.”
A small group of anti-gay born-again Christians protested prior to and during the parade but were largely ignored and drowned out by the drumbeats from a band.
Following the parade, the high-energy block party ensued with dancing and a long list of entertainers and headliners performing well into the evening.
On Sunday, the festival in Druid Hill Park attracted thousands to browse a variety of vendor booths and enjoy the entertainment.
Maryland
Evan Glass is leaning on his record. Is that enough for Montgomery County’s top job?
Gay county executive candidate pushing for equitable pay, safer streets, and cleaner environment
By TALIA RICHMAN | During a meet-and-greet at Poolesville Memorial United Methodist Church, Evan Glass got his loudest applause of the night with a plan he acknowledged was decidedly unsexy.
“Day one, I’ll hire a director of permitting services,” the county executive candidate said.
Doing so, he added, is a step toward easing the regulatory burdens that can stifle small businesses in Montgomery County.
The only problem? At least one of his fiercest competitors is making a similar pledge.
The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
District of Columbia
D.C. bar, LGBTQ+ Community Center to mark Lesbian Visibility Week
‘Ahead of the Curve’ documentary screening, ‘Queeroke’ among events
2026 Lesbian Visibility Week North America will take place from April 20-26.
This year marks the third annual Lesbian Visibility Week, run by the Curve Foundation. A host of events take place from April 20-26.
This year’s theme is Health and Wellness. For the Curve Foundation, the term “lesbian” serves as an umbrella term for a host of identities, including lesbians, bisexual and transgender women, and anyone else connected to the lesbian community.
The week kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony on April 19. It will take place in New York, but will be livestreamed for the public.
“Queeroke” is one of the events being held around the country. It will take place at various participating bars on April 23.
As You Are, an LGBTQ bar in Capitol Hill, is one of eight locations across the U.S. participating. Their event is free and 21+.
On April 24, the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center will hold a screening of “Ahead of the Curve,” a documentary about the founder of Curve, Franco Stevens. The event is free with an RSVP.
April 25, is Queer Women in Sports Day. And on April 26, several monuments in New York will be illuminated.
Virtual events ranging from health to sports will be made available to the public. Details will be released closer to the start of Lesbian Visibility Week. Featured events can be found on the official website.
Some ways for individuals to get involved are to use #LVW26 and tag the official Lesbian Visibility Week account on social media posts. People are encouraged to display their lesbian flags, and businesses can hand out pins and decorate. They can also reach out to local lawmakers to encourage them to issue an official Lesbian Visibility Week.
District of Columbia
Whitman-Walker Health to present ‘Pro Bono Excellence’ award to law firm
Health center set to celebrate 40th anniversary of legal services program
Whitman-Walker Health, the D.C.-based community healthcare center that specializes in HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ-related health services, announced it will present its annual Dale Edwin Sanders Award for Pro Bono Excellence to the international law firm McDermott Will & Schulte at a May 6 ceremony.
“This year’s award is especially significant as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of Whitman-Walker Health’s Legal Services Program, marking it as the nation’s longest running medical-legal partnership,” a statement released by Whitman-Walker says.
“As a national leader in public health, Whitman-Walker celebrates our partnership with McDermott to strengthen the health center and to enable Whitman-Walker to reach more medical and legal clients,” the statement adds.
“McDermott’s firm-wide commitment to Whitman-Walker’s medical-legal partnership demonstrates a shared vision to serve those most in need,” Amy Nelson, Whitman-Walker’s director of Legal Services, says in the statement. “Our work protects individuals and families who face discrimination and hostility as they navigate increasingly complex administrative systems,” Nelson said.
“Pro bono legal services – like that of McDermott Will & Schulte – find solutions for people who have no place else to turn in the face of financial and health threats,” she added.
“Our partnership with Whitman-Walker Health is a treasured commitment to serving our neighbors and communities,” Steven Schnelle, one of the law firm’s partners said in the statement. “We are deeply moved by Whitman-Walker’s unwavering dedication to inclusion, respect, and equitable access to health care and social services,” he said.
The statement notes that the award for Pro Bono Excellence honors the legacy of the late gay attorney Dale Edwin Sanders. It says Sanders’s pro bono legal work for Whitman-Walker clients “shaped HIV/AIDS law for more than four decades by securing key victories on behalf of individuals whose employment and patient rights were violated.”
It says the Whitman-Walker Legal Services program began during the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s at a time when people with AIDS faced widespread discrimination and often needed legal assistance. According to the statement, the program evolved over the years and expanded to advocate for transgender people and immigrants.
Whitman-Walker spokesperson Lisa Amore said the presentation of the Dale Edwin Sanders Pro Bono Excellency Award will be held at the May 6 fundraising benefit for Whitman-Walker’s Legal Services Program. She said the event will take place at the offices of the DC law firm Baker McKenzie and ticket availability can be accessed here: https://www.whitman-walker.org/gtem-2026/
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