Last month, ACLU of Maryland staff members attended Pride events throughout the state – from Charles County to Annapolis, and of course in Baltimore! Everyone agrees that Pride, no matter where it is, continues to grow each year. However, because we are all unique individuals, everyone came out of the events with different reflections about LGBTQ+ Pride. Read some unique and inspiring quotes from a few of our staff below.
Photos provided by Lorena Diaz, Shaqué Ingram, Dana Vickers Shelley, Sydney Moore, Carlos Childs, and Amy Cruice.
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Gina Elleby
Gina Elleby, legal advocacy manager, went to Baltimore Pride in Druid Hill Park on June 17.
Shaqué Ingram
Shaqué Ingram, legal program administrative assistant, went to Baltimore Pride in Druid Hill Park on June 17.
"It was a total vibe. Everyone just came together and was so friendly. People were dancing and having a good time. So many people came up to our table and gave us love. They loved the games and stickers we had. One lady, a fan of the ACLU, talked with us and thanked us for helping in her son’s case. It was just so awesome to come together in one space, no stress, and everyone was so happy. This was my first Pride event, and it was amazing. I would definitely go again. I have to plan my outfit for next year though. Some people had on beautiful makeup, fishnets and bras, their hair dyed. Everybody had a different style. It was so cool. I loved it."
Dana Vickers Shelley
Dana Vickers Shelley, executive director, went to Baltimore Trans Pride on June 29.
"As a cisgender heterosexual woman, I need to listen, learn, and commit to being led by the experiences of LGBTQ+ folks, especially Black trans women. Years ago, Montgomery County Delegate Gabriel Acevero said something along the lines of, ‘The Queer community doesn’t need more allies, we need more co-conspirators.’ From him I learned that allyship is friendly, and more passive. Allies attend Pride events, and they may even donate to causes, but they aren’t usually willing to take some type of risk – to their own comfort or reputation. A co-conspirator is willing to go the extra mile to speak out and support the safety and wellbeing of people in the LGBTQ+ community – and sometimes just be quiet so that Black trans women, in particular, can be heard, respected, and remain safe. This year, Pride was even bigger than the years before. I hope that means trans folks are getting more support and acknowledgment from the community. I know there are still trans women, especially Black and Latina trans women, who are still being victimized and we can each do more to make a difference."
Sydney Moore
Sydney Moore, engagement program associate, went to Baltimore Pride in Druid Hill Park on June 17.
"It was awesome. Pride was in the park this year. It was a smaller event than the one I went to last year because I went to the Pride parade in Baltimore. There was still tons of people there. The mood was amazing. The vendors were local and nonprofits. We had super loyal supporters of the ACLU walk up to our table. The whole event was just such a fun, inclusive, and inviting space."
Carlos Childs
Carlos Childs, regional community organizer in Southern Maryland, went to Charles County Pride on May 18.
Sergio España
Sergio España, director of engagement and mobilization, went to Annapolis Pride on June 1 and Baltimore Trans Pride on June 29.
"Annapolis Pride was substantially larger than last year’s. They had an awesome space at a local school. What stood out to me the most were the families. At the core of Pride events is the celebration of true family and different family dynamics, that there is no one supportive way to be a family, especially not when it is based on constricting people’s true selves. It was amazing to talk with folks and young parents who respect the advocacy work, while also making sure their kids had a great Saturday. That was just a good vibe. I would say the same about Baltimore Trans Pride. I want to give a particular shoutout to Baltimore Safe Haven. They are an absolutely essential part of our city. They are focused on making sure trans people have supportive networks at the ready, have the help they need, and can be in spaces where they know how awesome they are. Last year’s Baltimore Trans Pride, my 6-year-old and I didn’t have a table, but we had stickers and materials to pass out. We had a conversation with a city official whose child is trans. I could tell how proud he was to have a job where he could advocate for trans issues while also knowing that his kid knew he was doing his part to validate and value their life. It was just good energy and I believe the more Pride the better. I do have concerns about police presence at these events. Pride is about being safe from state violence. We need less police presence. Besides that, Pride events are a great way to spend your weekends in the community."
Nicole McCann
Nicole McCann, senior communications strategist, went to Annapolis Pride on June 1.
"I went to the Pride event in Annapolis. I was surprised by how huge the turnout was. There was an area with lots of activities for kids, and we handed out Know Your Rights protesting material. I also got to meet an amazing person there named Chris Hailey. Chris is a historian, speaker and a Board Member for Annapolis Pride. He’s also the nephew of Alex Hailey, who wrote ‘Roots.’ There are always amazing Marylanders to meet and interesting conversations to be had at these events. I love that each year, the turnout keeps growing."
Lorena M. Diaz
Lorena M. Diaz, campaign strategist, went to Baltimore Trans Pride on June 29.
"June is filled with so much love and beautiful pride events across the state. My favorite is Trans Pride in Baltimore. This event was close by to Safe Haven, the organization that hosts it. Baltimore Safe Haven was founded in 2018 by Iya Dammons who is a Black trans woman. Trans Pride has gotten bigger every year since it began in 2022. This event gives specific recognition of trans people in the LGBTQ+ community. As soon as you step into Charles and 21st Street, you feel that you belong. The day itself was so much fun. The food and environment were great. They had a band with dancers! But what I really love about Trans Pride is that you feel part of the community and there is something for everyone there. At the event, we had several folks come up to us. There were many trans children. Their faces lit up when they saw our ACLU stickers. Some stickers said, 'Protect Trans Kids' and “'Protect Black Trans Women.' Seeing their smiles was beautiful. It’s so important to have stickers that highlight people’s existence and identity, especially Black trans community members. During the event, they made a special announcement and revealed a street, between 21st Street and North Charles Street, called 'Iya Dammons Way,' named after Iya for all the work she has done for the trans community. In 2022, the event was small compared to the event this year. I can’t wait to see what it’ll be like next year."
June is a Month to Celebrate People Across the LGBTQ+ Spectrum
We celebrate with music, through learning LGBTQ+ history, reading stories from queer people, or going out to events and get togethers. The root of Pride is love, but so much more grows out of this month. LGBTQ+ Pride events strive to give everyone a sense of acceptance, acknowledgment, and belonging, which all are expressions of love.
Protection is an essential expression of love. One of the many stickers we have for LGBTQ+ month says, 'Protect Trans Black Women.' Trans people within the LGBTQ+ community, in particular Black trans women, often are the most vulnerable and biggest targets of civil rights violations and abuses. Moving forward after the summer, let’s keep in mind the ways that oppressive systems harm our most vulnerable community members and take active measures to end cruelty and violence against Black trans women and trans Women of Color.
We should all strive for a world where everyone can live fully, not just survive. A world where trans lives are respected, and their humanity truly valued and loved exactly as it is.
