Local
LGBTQ Youth Prom on tap
Baltimore event for 14-19 year olds


(Image courtesy GoFundMe)
The third annual LGBTQ Youth Prom is set for May 5 from 7-11 p.m. at The Grand, 225 North Charles St. in Baltimore. The event, which is themed “Enchanted Forest 2017,” is solely for LGBTQ youth and supportive youth allies between the ages of 14 and 19 who want to experience prom within a welcoming and safe space without fear of prejudice.
There will be food, entertainment, and an interactive community resource fair. Though there is no cost for this event, online registration is required and all attendees must present a valid picture ID for entry. Youth can register at lgbtqprombmore.eventbrite.com. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited at this event. Security will be on-site, and all volunteers are background checked.
Contributions to this event can be made at gofundme.com/enchantedforestprom.
“It is beautiful to see these amazing youth celebrate in the space,” said prom planning committee member Anastasia Pierron in a statement. “We recognize that spaces such as the LGBTQ Prom are few and far between, and we as a community need to continue creating and supporting spaces where LGBTQ youth feel accepted, loved, and validated.”
The LGBTQ Youth Prom planning committee is comprised of community members and youth- serving organizations, such as STAR TRACK Adolescent Health Program at the University of Maryland, GLSEN-Baltimore, and the PrEP Program of the Moore Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
For more information about the LGBTQ Prom email [email protected].

The Washington Blade’s second day of Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC ended with a fireworks show on Saturday, June 7. The fireworks show was presented by the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) will face John Reid in the race to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor.
Hashmi won the Democratic primary with 27.49 percent of the vote. She defeated former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, state Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), Babur Lateef, Victor Salgado and Alexander Bastani.
“Tonight, Virginians made history,” said Hashmi in a statement. “We didn’t just win a primary, we sent a clear message that we won’t be bullied, broken, or dragged backward by the chaos in Washington.”
Reid, a gay conservative talk show host, in April won the Republican nomination to succeed Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The incumbent governor days after Reid secured the nomination called for him to withdraw his candidacy amid reports that a social media account with his username included “pornographic content.” Reid, who would become the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in Virginia if he wins in November, has strongly denied the reports.
Former state Del. Jay Jones defeated Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in Democratic attorney general primary. Jones will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in November.
Youngkin cannot run for a second, consecutive term.
Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger will face off against Earle-Sears in November. The winner will make history as the first woman elected governor in the state’s history.
Baltimore
More than 15K people attend Baltimore Trans Pride
Baltimore Safe Haven organized annual event

More than 15,000 people attended Baltimore Safe Haven’s annual Trans Pride on Saturday.
“Last year we had maybe 2,500, and the year before that, we had 5,000,” Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said. “In today’s political climate, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Lau said allies and other groups “went into hiding” for about a month or two after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but then all at once, different organizations started to reach out.
“The community has really come together to support us,” Lau said. “It was a fun, exciting day.”
Baltimore Safe Haven Executive Director Iya Dammons in a press release said the “historic turnout” showed the transgender community’s strength, as well as their unity to fight for justice and equality for all LGBTQ people.
At the event, attendees were seen waving flags and shouting “Trans Lives Matter,” showing their support for the community.
On Friday, before Trans Pride, Baltimore Safe Haven opened their new building to the public, gathering notable attendees like the Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohan, Council Member Antonio Glover, and representatives from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
“(It) was historic in itself because … we’re the only direct service providers for people in the LGBT community,” Lau said.
Providing housing for 18- to 24-year-olds, Lau said the new building also serves as a community hub and has office spaces for workers.
With only a few hiccups of arguments between attendees and fixing street blockades during Trans Pride, Lau said the event showed what the community can do.
“It was amazing that so many people came out and had that much fun. We were all giddy by Sunday morning,” Lau said. “(It gave) Safe Haven exposure and continuity. We are not just an LGBT organization, we are an organization that supports the entire community.”
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