Local
A successful Baltimore ‘Pride Unleashed’
Politicians join throngs for annual celebration
Baltimore celebrated Pride last weekend. (Washington Blade photo by Chris Jennings)
Thousands enjoyed Pride Unleashed, Baltimore’s LGBTQ celebration in Station North last Saturday and the customary festival in Druid Hill Park on Sunday. Pride is run by the GLBT Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB).
The parade and block party took place under cloudy skies. The parade traveled a longer distance than in the past starting from Mount Vernon and ending up in Station North for the first time.
All told, 113 units participated including six drum-beating bands, according to Pride Parade Chair Donald Young. It took three hours to complete the route and was done so without any incidents or demonstrations.
Mindful of recent terrorist attacks, extra police and private security were evident during the events, and city government provided dump trucks to block specific cross streets along the parade route and block party areas to prevent vehicles from deliberately slamming into pedestrians.
Among the elected officials marching were Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, State Sen. Rich Madaleno, and Council member Eric Costello.
Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, who suspended leave for officers on Saturday for added security, also joined in the parade. U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Maryland Del. Mary Washington served as parade grand marshals.
“I enjoy seeing politicians supporting us,” said Gianna, a queer graduate student who lives in Baltimore.
Reagan, a transgender man and a law student at University of Maryland, said observing the parade, “This Pride is a lot better organized than last year’s. I like that Pride has expanded to Station North because the community is expanding in that direction.”
The parade judges awarded the following: Best Float – First Royal Drag Family of Maryland; Best Walking Unit – Faith Communities of Baltimore; Best Car – Pride @ T. Rowe Price; Best Marching Band – The Band Marching Unit; and the Mayor’s Award – New Edition Legacy Marching Band.
Popular drag entertainer Shawnna Alexander was presented a lifetime achievement award for her work in Pride.
Prior to the parade, Neal Naff and Don Davis co-hosted a reception for the two grand marshals at Grand Central. About 80 attended the event, including prospective Maryland gubernatorial candidates Rich Madaleno and Kevin Kamenetz, State Delegates Luke Clippinger and Brooke Lierman and Howard County Register of Wills Byron MacFarlane.
“This is an opportunity for Baltimoreans and Marylanders to get together and celebrate,” Van Hollen told the Blade. “But we also must be vigilant of those who want to turn back progress.”
The Sunday festival in Druid Hill Park saw fewer food vendor trucks than previous years, which was a common complaint. Otherwise, good crowds enjoyed the multitude of vendor booths and entertainment.
“We are very proud of the work done at the Center to put out an amazing Pride,” Mimi Demissew, the GLCCB’s co-executive director told the Blade. “We are very thankful to the volunteers who helped make Pride possible.”
District of Columbia
Billy Porter, Keke Palmer, Ava Max to perform at Capital Pride
Concert to be held at annual festival on June 9
The Capital Pride Alliance, the group that organizes D.C.’s annual LGBTQ Pride events, announced this week the lineup of performers for the Sunday, June 9, Capital Pride Concert to be held during the Capital Pride Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. near the U.S. Capitol.
Among the performers will be nationally acclaimed singers and recording artists Billy Porter and Keke Palmer, who will also serve as grand marshals for the Capital Pride Parade set to take place one day earlier on Saturday, June 8.
The Capital Price announcement says the other lead performers will be Ava Max, Sapphira Cristal, and the pop female trio Exposé.
“The beloved pop icons will captivate audiences with upbeat performances coupled with their fierce advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, echoing the vibrant spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Totally Radical,’” according to a statement released by Capital Pride Alliance.
“With Billy Porter and Keke Palmer leading the parade as Grand Marshals, we’re not only honoring their incredible contributions to the LGBTQ+ community but also amplifying their voices as fierce advocates for equality and acceptance,” Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos said in the statement.
“The concert and festival serve as a platform to showcase the diverse array of LGBTQ+ talent, from the chart-topping hits of Ava Max to the iconic sounds of Exposé and the electrifying performances of Sapphira Cristal,” Bos said in the statement. “Capital Pride 2024 promises to be a celebration like no other.”
The concert will take place from 12-10 p.m. on the main stage and other stages across the four-block long festival site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
The annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 5th annual Pride on the Pier and fireworks show during D.C. Pride weekend on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. Local DJ’s Heat, Eletrox and Honey will perform throughout the event.
3 p.m. – Capital Pride Parade on the Big Screen
3:30 p.m. – Drag Show hosted by Cake Pop!
9 p.m. – Fireworks Show Presented by Leonard-Litz Foundation
The event is free and open to the public. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience. To learn more and to purchase tickets go to www.prideonthepier.com/vip. VIP tickets are limited.
Event sponsors include Absolut, Buying Time, Capital Pride, DC Brau, DC Fray, Burney Wealth Management, Infinate Legacy, Leonard-Litz Foundation, Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, MISTR, NBC4, The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePier.com
Maryland
Trone discusses transgender niece
Blade interviewed Md. congressman, Angela Alsobrooks last week
Editor’s note: The Washington Blade last week interviewed both U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. The full interviews with both Democratic candidates for retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.)’s seat will be on the Blade’s website later this week.
Maryland Congressman David Trone last week discussed his transgender niece during an interview with the Washington Blade about his U.S. Senate campaign.
Trone, who is running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), on May 1 told the Blade during a telephone interview that his niece transitioned when she was in her early 20s. Trone also noted she attended Furman University, a small, liberal arts university in Greenville, S.C.
“I was concerned about how she would be able to transition there,” said Trone.
Trone, who founded Total Wine & More, attended Furman University as an undergrad and is on the school’s board of trustees. Trone told the Blade he donated $10 million to the university to “build out their mental health capacity, which I felt was a way that she could have the best mental health care possible when she worked her way through (her) transition.”
Trone’s niece graduated from the university after she spent five years there.
“She had a great relationship with Furman,” said Trone.
Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks are the leading Democrats running to succeed Cardin. The winner of the May 14 Democratic primary will face former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in November.
Tel Aviv authorities cancel Pride parade
EXCLUSIVE: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on speaking out and showing up
Vladimir Putin takes office for fifth term as Russia’s president
Billy Porter, Keke Palmer, Ava Max to perform at Capital Pride
Center for Black Equity announces leadership change
PHOTOS: Gay Day at the Zoo
Trone discusses transgender niece
Tel Aviv authorities cancel Pride parade
200 turn out for ’Love Fest’ Drag Story Hour at Freddie’s
