Citizens of Baltimore celebrate Pride Month in June of 2019.
When Mimi Demissew joined the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore, now known as the Pride Center of Baltimore, in 2017, she immediately felt that something needed to be changed.
She saw a fractured organization that had little attendance, and had the urge to help and change some aspects in the program.
The biggest aspect was representation, especially of women, Demissew told the Baltimore Sun in an interview. She also said the cultural celebration had drifted away from its original mission, and the celebration didn’t include everyone.
“Having queer women of color is very important, it is very vital to the community,” said Anjelika, an animation student at NSLC.
In Demissew’s interview with the Baltimore Sun, she states that women have not always been in the spotlight when it was men in charge. But when the AIDS epidemic hit in the 1980’s, women tended to be put in charge more often, according to the Baltimore Sun.
According to the Baltimore Sun, this was a result of the deaths of the gay men that worked in those positions. Women had gained leadership from the tragedy and the men that had not been affected did not necessarily want them in the leadership position.
To Demissew, it was a very refreshing thing to see women now at the table with men and both have equal power.
In 2015, Maryland education officials issued guidelines that suggested how school districts can create safer places for students who often face harassment, which targets transgender and gender non-conforming students.
Howard County sent educators a document explaining on understanding gender identity, explaining terms, and instructions for educators on allowing students to use their preferred pronouns and bathrooms.
“These protections have to be stronger than a suggestion,” Jabari Lyles, Baltimore’s LGBTQ affairs liaison, told the Baltimore Sun. “They have to be mandated.”
Across the nation, this has been a widespread topic of conversation.
“In Toronto, there have been gender-neutral bathrooms and talking about more awareness,” said Jasmine, an intern in Washington, D.C.
The Pride Center of Maryland has been looking to build and create their new home for the LGBTQ+ population in Baltimore. Mimi Demmissew, the director of the Pride Center, said the new building will be able to give the organization a permanent space to own while developing revenue as well.
The $7.4 million center will be located in Baltimore but will be able to serve all of central Maryland according to the Baltimore Business Journal.
They will offer services for case management, connections to medical care, housing, employment, education, and more. They also will be providing services and programs for families, youth, and adults.
The non-profit Baltimore Improv Group hosts a series of shows that feature many stories told by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Those that host the event are wanting to let those who want to share their stories and have a little fun while doing so.
The stories can be set in their everyday lives so not just LGBTQ+ topics will be brought up. “It could have a negative or positive effect and it depends on who is telling the story,” said Anjelika, a student at NSLC.