Pride Month is a month-long observance in celebration of LGBTQI+ people—and the history, culture, and contributions of these people and their communities. Pride Month is celebrated in June as a memorial to the first Pride March that took place on June 28, 1970, a year after the historic 1969 Stonewall Inn uprising. For over 50 years, people have celebrated Pride Month with Parades, Gatherings, Events, and Education. Check out the roundup below for Pride events taking place all around Maryland this June.
Queering the Collection: Gender Fluidity and Buddhist Deities
June 9 | Gender fluidity can be traced back several centuries and across cultures. In Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara (Chinese: Guanyin) is a gender-fluid bodhisattva, or divine being, who has put off enlightenment in order to first help humanity. In this program, multidisciplinary artist and community activist Abdu Ali will be in dialogue with Dany Chan, Associate Curator of Asian Art at the Walters, in a unique event that combines art historical and artistic perspectives of this deity. This conversation between curator and artist will expand understanding of images of Avalokiteshvara on display in the Walters collection and will connect to contemporary viewpoints about gender fluidity and representation. Free. 6-7 p.m. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. thewalters.org
Capital Pride Parade
June 11 | Join the LGBTQ+ community for the return of the historic Capital Pride Parade, proudly presented by Marriott International. In 2022, a modified route will honor our history and acknowledge the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in our fight for equality. Be prepared to experience one of the largest Pride Parades to ever take place in the United States Capital. 3:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Logan & Dupont Circle Neighborhoods, Washington, DC. capitalpride.org/event/parade/
Nick and Charlie Forever!!! Heartstopper Fan Party
June 11| Heartstopper (based on the best selling graphic novel series by Alice Oseman) is the smash hit TV series of the season! Come fall in love with Nick, Charlie and the whole gang all over again. Free. 1:30-3 p.m. Busch Annapolis Library, Annapolis. aacpl.net.
Capital Pride Festival
June 12 | Join the LGBTQ+ community on America’s Mainstreet, historic Pennsylvania Avenue, for the return of the Capital Pride Festival. Enjoy a full day of entertainment on three stages, food, drink, and advocacy with over 300 exhibitors. The Festival is the largest annual event in the national capital region and continues to be free to the public. 12:00 noon – 10:00 pm. America’s Mainstreet, Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC. capitalpride.org/event/festival/
PridePalooza at Annapolis Town Center
June 18 | Join us for Family Friendly PridePalooza! Celebrate pride month with us during Annapolis Town Center’s PridePalooza. Enjoy food trucks, games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, henna, tie-dye and more! A portion of the ticket sales will go to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for our young LGBTQIA+ community. Shirts to tie-dye will be provided while supplies last! One ticket per person includes tie-dye (while supplies last), crafts and games. 12pm-3pm. General Admission: $10/person. annapolistowncenter.com/event-detail/pridepalooza
DC Pride Bar Crawl
June 18 | The 5th Annual Pride Crawl. * A Portion Of Proceeds Will Be Donated To The Trevor Project * What You Get: 2+ Drinks or Shots, Crawl With US Stadium Cup, Exclusive Drink Specials, Amazing Local Food, Waived Cover At All Venues, Awesome After Party, and more! Starts at 4:00 PM. A League Of Her Own, 2319 18th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009. eventbrite.com/e/pride-bar-crawl-washington-dc
Rainbow Campfire
June 24 | We invite families in the LGBTQ+ community to join Robinson Nature Center as we partner with HoCo Pride to celebrate pride month! Enjoy a guided night hike, meet some of the Nature Center’s resident live animals and socialize with other families around a campfire while enjoying s’mores. HoCo Pride will be onsite with resources for families. Please preregister by June 22nd to attend by calling 410-313-0400. No online registration. Free. 7-9 p.m. Robinson Nature Center, Columbia. howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/rainbow-campfire-5-yrs
Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza Festival
June 26 | Come out and show your pride in Veterans Plaza for a fun, all-day festival celebrating LGBTQ+ community, health, well-being and joy! The festival is free for everyone. 12-8 p.m. Veteran’s Place, Silver Spring. prideintheplaza.com
