Out & About
Baltimore Pride features parade, festival, High Heel Race
Festivities kick off June 20; headliners include Mya
The Pride Center of Maryland has moved into a new building that allows it to expand its services to better serve Baltimore’s LGBTQ community.
The 45-year-old organization, which hosts Baltimore Pride, will kick off its Pride celebrations on Monday, June 20 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new premises at 2418 Saint Paul Street. There will be tours of the new center, remarks from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and performances by Black Assets and Kenneth Something.
“This new building will give more freedom and opportunity to be a resource to our community,” said Kenneth Something, the center’s director of strategic partnerships and special events.
The new location, which the center owns, is four times larger than its current location and will allow it to unabashedly signal that it is a safe space for the Baltimore queer community to gather.
“At our old location, we were told we couldn’t hang Pride flags in our window,” said Something. “We weren’t able to display that we are a safe space for our community.”
In addition to its current roster of services, such as facilities that allow individuals to report discrimination against sexual and gender minorities, the center will welcome 40 small LGBTQ initiatives free-of-charge to use its premises to host meetings including book clubs, yoga classes, art clubs and identity support groups.
Baltimore Pride will be a mix of fun and serving the community, according to Something. This year’s Pride month events will be the biggest the city has witnessed, with a total of 26 events featuring local and national entertainers.
On Friday, June 24, there will be “Ecstatic Dance in the Park- Pride Edition” at 6 p.m. at Zen Garden Druid Hill Park; “Music at the Market – Pride Edition” at 7 p.m. at Broadway Market, and Bike Party Pride Ride at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park — the bike party will have an expected attendance of over 500 cyclists and will conclude with a dance party with DJ Deezy, resident DJ at The Baltimore Eagle.
The organization will also host “Baltimore Pride Slam” on Wednesday, June 22 at Busboys and Poets. The event time is to be determined, according to Baltimore Pride’s website. The poetry competition will be hosted by Radi, an award-winning Black queer poet. Ten poets will compete for a chance to win $1,500 in cash prizes and the title of Baltimore Pride Slam Champion.
“It is important to center and uplift the stories of our community,” said Something regarding the event, which will also feature open mic performances.
Of course, the usual parade and festival are on tap this year. The parade along Charles Street begins Saturday, June 25 at 1 p.m., and the adjacent Block Party runs 3-9 p.m. Visit baltimorepride.org for exact locations. The annual High Heel Race is Saturday, June 25 at 12:10 p.m. at Charles and 25th streets. Pride in the Park takes over Druid Hill Park on Sunday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. with more than 100 vendors, music, drag, and more. Headliners include Mya, Averie Wilson, and George Lovett.
One of the service events on the organization’s calendar is the Pride Job Fair on Tuesday, June 21 at 5 p.m. at the Pride Center’s new location. There will be 15 LGBTQ-friendly employers at the event that are geared to empowering sexually gendered minority community members by connecting them with companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion.
The job fair was one of the components of Pride month that the Pride Center wanted to grow by ensuring that people not only leave connected to their communities, but also with employment opportunities to better their livelihoods.
“We want to make sure we don’t forget the root of where Pride started— a movement to uplift and support our community,” said Something.
At its roots, Baltimore Pride —which also happens to be the third oldest Pride festival in the country— is a fundraiser for the Pride Center. So, the 14th edition of its famed annual “Twilight on the Terrace” fundraiser will be hosted on Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. at Gertrude’s at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
There will also be a new fundraiser “Queens Cruise” — on Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m. at City Cruises Baltimore— that Something describes as “one of the newest grand events of Baltimore Pride.” The event will be a drag brunch and buffet hosted by Emerald Star, featuring performances by Chanel Belladonna, Vee Vee Majesty, Angel Devero, and Lyric Bordeaux.
“I think organizations [sometimes] get swept away by current events,” Something said. “We listened deeply to the community and created a Pride relevant to Baltimore that is not necessarily shaped by national politics.”
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, May 3
Center Aging Friday Tea Time will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social” at 7 p.m. at The Commentary. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 4
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, May 5
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Dinner” at 7 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 6
Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email [email protected].
The Pride Center of Maryland will host “Transend: transgender & Nonbinary Support Group” at 4 p.m. at its offices. This is a safe place for hot topics, food, resources, information, image consulting and community. This event is free to attend and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, May 7
Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 8
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, May 9
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
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