There will be a Pride Family Day event on Saturday, June 11 from 11am-2pm at Glen Echo Park (7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo). The event is being held in collaboration with County Council Vice President Evan Glass, who tells us:

This is my fourth year organizing Pride events throughout Montgomery County and the LGBTQ+ Family Day at Glen Echo Park is one of my favorites. This free event is wonderful way to celebrate all our families and our beautiful diversity.

Per Glen Echo:
Glen Echo Park is proud to collaborate with the office of Montgomery County Council Vice President Evan Glass to provide the 2nd annual Pride Family Day!

Between 11 am and 2 pm on June 11, we invite families to enjoy:

• Interactive chalk maze designed by Chalk Riot, whose motto is, “We make ordinary surfaces extraordinary!”
• Carousel-themed craft activity bag for all ages (while supplies last!)
• FREE carousel tickets (while supplies last!)
• FREE Snacks & Specialty Glen Echo Park Root Beer (while supplies last!)
• Discounted tickets to a mainstage performance at the Puppet Co. Performances of Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs are scheduled for 11:30 am and 1:00 pm on Saturday June 11th. Recommended for ages 4+. Run time approximately 45 minutes. Use coupon code: PRIDE22 when purchasing your tickets online. Please purchase tickets in advance to use the discount and direct any questions to [email protected].

Families can also enjoy the playground, the picnic area, the Glen Echo Park Aquarium (tickets required; book in advance), and a variety of art galleries throughout the park.

Advance Registration Requested.

Register

Saturday is Pride family day at Glen Echo Park. Hope to see you there! pic.twitter.com/g7IfZh9iJ5

— Evan Glass (@EvanMGlass) June 10, 2022

Per Montgomery County:
“Crafting Queer Resistance: The Emergence of LGBTQIA+ Voices in Contemporary Craft” will be presented online by Montgomery History on at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 13. John-Duane Kingsley, an author and independent consultant on the intersection of design history and the queer experience, will lead the presentation.

Crafting Queer Resistance will explore the expanding world of queer makers within textiles, wood, ceramics and metal. The presentation will look at how queer makers’ unique experiences challenge the histories, techniques and materiality of their mediums.

To learn more about the work of Mr. Kingsley, go to www.dandycraft.org.

To view the presentation, register at https://montgomeryhistory.org/.

Questions about accessing Montgomery History programs can be addressed to Matt Gagle, director of programs, at [email protected].

Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Montgomery County officials kicked off Pride Month with the release of the first-ever survey of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ+) residents. Launched on June 1st,  the LGBTQ+ community survey will collect anonymous information about health and wellness, access to resources and services, experiences of discrimination and other aspects of residents’ life in the community.

The survey, which was drafted in collaboration with the County’s LGBTQ Advisory Board and launched by the Office of Community Partnerships, aims to gather data that will guide the future work of the County’s LGBTQ Liaison and LGBTQ Advisory Board.

“Montgomery County has made a commitment to ensuring that the LGBTQ+ community feels safe and welcome, said County Executive Marc Elrich.  “This survey will provide important data to help us keep that commitment.   Our LGBTQ+ community contributes to our history, economic vitality, and culture, building a brighter future for all.”

The survey’s findings will be shared with other County departments and presented back to the community for feedback and dialogue. “We are hopeful that the results from this survey will give us a clearer understanding of the experiences and needs of Montgomery County’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities,” said Dr. Amena Johnson, the County’s LGBTQ liaison.  “We designed the survey to elicit actionable responses. We don’t plan to sit on this data, we plan to use it to create a safer and more affirming Montgomery County for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Find the survey in multiple languages on the Office of Community Partnerships website.  Deadline to complete the survey is Friday, July 15.

The survey is being distributed electronically throughout the community, and residents and community organizations are invited to share the survey links with their networks. Respondents who complete the survey, which takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete,  will have a chance to win an incentive.

The County’s LGBTQ Advisory Group will attend the Pride in the Plaza festival on June 26th in downtown Silver Spring to promote and distribute the survey.  Members of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board are M Aragon, Lee Blinder, Julian Harris, Loraine Hutchins, Samantha Jones, and Vanessa Til. Find more information on the advisory group on the Office of Community Partnerships website.

For questions about the survey, please contact Dr.Amena Johnson at [email protected].

Montgomery County Pride in the Plaza will take place on Sunday, June 26 from 12 noon to 8 p.m.at  Veterans Plaza (1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring). More information on this and other County-sponsored Pride events can be found at PrideInthePlaza.com.

Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council Vice President Evan Glass, Councilmembers and members of the Montgomery Delegation to the General Assembly today joined LGBTQ+ community leaders to commemorate Pride Month by raising the Progress Pride Flag outside of the Executive Office Building in Rockville. This is the fourth year Montgomery County has formally recognized June as Pride Month, an effort spearheaded by Council Vice President Glass to promote inclusion and acceptance across the community. Council Vice President Glass is the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Montgomery County Council.

“As we celebrate Pride Month, it is an important time for us to celebrate the contributions of our LGBTQ residents,” said County Executive Elrich. “At the same time, we must recognize that many LGBTQ+ residents continue to deal with discrimination, isolation, threats of violence and assaults on their freedoms. One of our County’s greatest attributes is our commitment to inclusion, fostered by the belief that everyone, no matter their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identification, can live their lives without the bigotry and hatred they may face elsewhere. Our diversity makes us stronger as a County and as a community. I encourage all residents to participate in Pride Month events, gatherings and educational opportunities that the County government and our community partners will be hosting throughout the month.”

Council Vice President Glass said: “I’m so proud to host Montgomery County’s fourth annual LGBTQ+ Pride Month events. This is a time for celebration, reflection and unity. Pride Month is often the first time that some people are able to be their open and true selves in our community. This is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the beautiful diversity of Montgomery County and our commitment to inclusion and acceptance. As we continue our struggle for greater civil rights and liberties, this is the time to reflect on our progress and focus on the work ahead.”

Council President Gabe Albornoz said: “Our LGBTQ+ community is a pillar of strength. During Pride Month, we celebrate the numerous contributions of this resilient community and reaffirm our commitment to implement measures that will ensure that every LGBTQ+ resident is given support and treated with the dignity they deserve. Happy PRIDE!”

The Progress Pride Flag is an inclusive and powerful symbol that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color and pink, light blue, and white stripes, which make up the Transgender Pride Flag.

Montgomery County celebrates diversity and inclusion and supports community members of all identities. The flag raising recognizes the positive impact that LGBTQ+ residents have made in Montgomery County, the state of Maryland and worldwide.

Council Vice President Glass will host a series of community events celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month, as he has done for the last several years. A full list of upcoming Pride Month events can be found here.

Today’s flag raising ceremony can be viewed here.

My district staff was honored to join @MoCoCouncilMD VP @EvanMGlass and county and state leaders to commemorate Pride Month with a flag raising ceremony in Rockville. pic.twitter.com/a9ga1jj4nc

— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) June 7, 2022

Per Montgomery Parks:
In celebration of PRIDE Month, Improbable Comedy is getting a rainbow makeover and showcasing local queer comics! Some of the best LGBTQIA+ performers will make you laugh with their stand-up routines – touching on personal topics of relationships, family, love, and more.

This event will be held on the lawn of Fairview Urban Park and begins at 6:00 pm with food and beverage for purchase from Giacomo’s Brick Oven Pizza, Clayboys Shave Ice, and Astro Lab Brewing. The show kicks off at 7:00 pm and guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and picnic blankets for viewing.

This event is intended for mature audiences ages seventeen and up and is not recommended for viewers under seventeen. Viewer discretion is advised.

Event Information and Guidelines

• Address: 8900 Fairview Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Parking: Paid parking is available at the Spring Cameron Garage (2) across the street and the venue is accessible via public transportation. See details below.
• Outside alcohol is not permitted at the event.
• Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Restrooms available at the event.

Interested in more performances this summer? Montgomery Parks is hosting a series of events with Parks Playhouse. Click below to learn more.

For any questions about the event, please contact the Activation team at [email protected].

Transportation Opportunities

Bus # Q1, Q2, Q4, Y2, Y7, and Y8 to Georgia Avenue & Spring Street. Stop ID: 2000214

Bus # Q1, Q2, Q4, Y2, Y7, and Y8 to Georgia Avenue & Spring Street. Stop ID: 2000219

Bus # 28 to Fenton Street & Cameron Street. Stop ID: 28256. Exit the bus and walk Northwest on Fenton Street towards Cameron Street. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Cameron Street. In 0.1 miles, turn left onto Spring Street. The park will be on the right side of the street.

Bus # 8, 9, 13, 14, 21, 22, Z2, Z6, Z8 to Colesville Road & North Noyes Drive. Stop ID: 2000235. Exit the bus and walk north on Colesville Road towards North Noyes Drive. Turn left onto North Noyes Drive, and after 0.2 miles, turn left onto Fairview Road. The park will be on the right side of the street.

Red Line Metro to Silver Spring station: Exit the metro station onto Wayne Avenue. Turn right onto Colesville Road and walk for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Spring Street, and the park will be on the right side of the street.

Ages 17 & up

This event will be held at Fairview Road Urban Park

Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 2, 2022
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 2, 2022—Montgomery County Council Vice President Evan Glass will be joined by County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmembers and leaders of the LGBTQ+ community for a flag raising ceremony to commemorate the beginning of Pride Month on Tuesday, June 7 at 11 a.m.

What: Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony.

When: Tuesday, June 7 at 11 a.m.

Where: Outside of the Executive Office Building on Veterans Memorial Plaza, which is located at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville (on the Government Complex Center Terrace located between the Montgomery County Circuit Court annex and the Executive Office Building). Parking information can be found here.

Who: Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass, County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmembers and leaders of the County’s LGBTQ+ community.

Council Vice President Glass will host a series of community events celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month. A full list of upcoming Pride Month events can be found here.

For additional information contact Council Vice President Glass’ Chief of Staff Valeria Carranza at [email protected] or 240-777-7954.

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

This year marks the fourth year that I'm organizing events throughout Montgomery County to honor and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. From family day at Glen Echo Park to drag story hours, there’s something for everyone. pic.twitter.com/IdeF0ljjIQ

— Councilmember Evan Glass (@CMEvanGlass) June 1, 2022

The City of Rockville’s Human Rights Commission will celebrate the sixth annual Rockville Pride with a virtual event on Sunday, June 5, from 2-3:30pm. According to the event’s website, the virtual event will be interactive and will include LGBTQ+ resources and breakout room discussions of LGBTQ+ topics. There will be two breakout room sessions, with four topics to choose from. During each breakout session, participants can choose between these four rooms to join. There will be a prompt for each room and HRC members will moderate these open discussions.

Per the City of Rockville:
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer/Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. The commemorative month also recognizes the impact LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history—locally, nationally, and internationally. The City of Rockville has issued proclamations declaring LGBTQ+ Pride Month since June 2017.  The City will celebrate 2021 PRIDE month with a panel discussion titled “Coming Out to Your Community”.

Rockville celebrates Pride Month in June. This year, the City of Rockville’s Human Rights Commission will celebrate the sixth annual Rockville Pride with a virtual event on Sunday June 5, 2022 and a celebration in Rockville Town Square Park from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 2022. Interested in performing or becoming a sponsor? Contact Ali Hoy at 240-314-8304 or [email protected]. Find more information about Pride, as details become available, at www.rockvillemd.gov/pride.

Last year’s Rockville Pride events included a virtual panel discussion on Saturday, featuring community leaders and students, who will provide resources and share experiences, Instagram posts created by HRC student ambassadors, and a Pride virtual festival that included performances, art and special message.

Per Montgomery County:
County to Host Second Annual Pride in the Plaza Festival June 26; Events Planned June 21-26 throughout Silver Spring
In honor of Pride Month, Montgomery County will host its second annual Pride in the Plaza, a free, outdoor LGBTQ+ pride festival on Sunday, June 26 from noon to 8p.m. in Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.

Pride in the Plaza will feature food, music, an LGBTQ+ focused resource and vendor fair, bilingual Drag Queen Story Hour, and the championship finale of Live in Your Truth Program’s Drag Duels series. The day will conclude with the second annual Pride in the Plaza Mini-Ball, a free voguing competition with cash prizes, starting at 5 p.m., in partnership with Capitol Ballroom Council. Local businesses that want to support Pride in the Plaza can visit PrideInThePlaza.com/partners-in-pride.

Pride in the Plaza will showcase a diverse cross-section of local nonprofit organizations, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, artists, and networks tabling to share information about their services for Montgomery County’s LGBTQ+ communities. HIV and other health screenings will be provided free of charge, in honor of National HIV Testing Day (June 27).

In the week leading up to the festival, the County is partnering with LGBTQ+ led organizations on a slate of events for residents of all ages, including Pride in the Field, an LGBTQ+ focused field day, Pride in the Parks Movie Night, Pride in Sexual Health Symposium for healthcare providers, Pride on the Page Book Talk with local author Eric Nguyen, and a Pop-up of the Maryland Trans Resilience Conference, organized by Trans Maryland. A full list of events can be found at PrideInThePlaza.com/Events.

“We are thrilled to host Pride in the Plaza again in 2022,” said Melvin Cauthen, administrator for the County’s HIV/STI program and Pride in the Plaza steering committee member. “This year, we have expanded to a whole week of events, and more importantly, we are building partnerships that will continue to connect and support LGBTQ+ communities far beyond Pride Month.”

To encourage residents to attend multiple events, the County has created a “Passport to Pride.” Those who attend and get their passports stamped at three or more Pride in the Plaza events will be entered to win one of 10 grand prizes. The passport can be found online here or picked up at any Pride in the Plaza event. Veterans Plaza is located at 1 Veterans Place in downtown Silver Spring. Free parking is available in the Ellsworth Drive parking garage adjacent to the plaza.  Pride in the Plaza is hosted by Montgomery County’s HIV/STI program, which provides free HIV testing and treatment, PrEP for prevention, and STI testing and treatment at the Dennis Avenue Health Center. Call 240-777-1760 to make an appointment or visit DoItForYouMC.org for more information.

Per Montgomery County:
County to Host Second Annual Pride in the Plaza Festival June 26; Events Planned June 21-26 throughout Silver Spring
In honor of Pride Month, Montgomery County will host its second annual Pride in the Plaza, a free, outdoor LGBTQ+ pride festival on Sunday, June 26 from noon to 8p.m. in Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring.

Pride in the Plaza will feature food, music, an LGBTQ+ focused resource and vendor fair, bilingual Drag Queen Story Hour, and the championship finale of Live in Your Truth Program’s Drag Duels series. The day will conclude with the second annual Pride in the Plaza Mini-Ball, a free voguing competition with cash prizes, starting at 5 p.m., in partnership with Capitol Ballroom Council. Local businesses that want to support Pride in the Plaza can visit PrideInThePlaza.com/partners-in-pride.

Pride in the Plaza will showcase a diverse cross-section of local nonprofit organizations, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, artists, and networks tabling to share information about their services for Montgomery County’s LGBTQ+ communities. HIV and other health screenings will be provided free of charge, in honor of National HIV Testing Day (June 27).

In the week leading up to the festival, the County is partnering with LGBTQ+ led organizations on a slate of events for residents of all ages, including Pride in the Field, an LGBTQ+ focused field day, Pride in the Parks Movie Night, Pride in Sexual Health Symposium for healthcare providers, Pride on the Page Book Talk with local author Eric Nguyen, and a Pop-up of the Maryland Trans Resilience Conference, organized by Trans Maryland. A full list of events can be found at PrideInThePlaza.com/Events.

“We are thrilled to host Pride in the Plaza again in 2022,” said Melvin Cauthen, administrator for the County’s HIV/STI program and Pride in the Plaza steering committee member. “This year, we have expanded to a whole week of events, and more importantly, we are building partnerships that will continue to connect and support LGBTQ+ communities far beyond Pride Month.”

To encourage residents to attend multiple events, the County has created a “Passport to Pride.” Those who attend and get their passports stamped at three or more Pride in the Plaza events will be entered to win one of 10 grand prizes. The passport can be found online here or picked up at any Pride in the Plaza event. Veterans Plaza is located at 1 Veterans Place in downtown Silver Spring. Free parking is available in the Ellsworth Drive parking garage adjacent to the plaza.  Pride in the Plaza is hosted by Montgomery County’s HIV/STI program, which provides free HIV testing and treatment, PrEP for prevention, and STI testing and treatment at the Dennis Avenue Health Center. Call 240-777-1760 to make an appointment or visit DoItForYouMC.org for more information.

Montgomery County Public Schools released the following community message on April 26, 2022:
Dear MCPS Community,
To ensure a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment for students and staff, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and Montgomery County Government have signed a new agreement, known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), that enhances the program guiding support from law enforcement in county public schools.

After more than two years of pandemic restrictions, and virtual and hybrid learning, as well as everyday life challenges, students need social-emotional and mental health supports and positive relationship-building led by trusted adults, including our police partners. The Community Engagement Officer (CEO) Program is a necessary part of an informed, thoughtful and comprehensive response to address the safety of all students and staff. A safe and supportive environment is foundational to MCPS’ mission of an excellent teaching and learning environment. This plan was informed by collaborative work between MCPD and MCPS and includes community input gathered through focus groups with students, staff, parents and multiple key community stakeholder groups.
Engagement activities included:

• Ten age-appropriate student focus groups at all three levels in February and March.

• A series of youth-police dialogues with MCPS and police representatives in each of the 10 police districts in Montgomery County.

• A live virtual Community Conversation on Student Safety and Well-Being in December 2021 with nearly 1,000 participants.

• Countywide student forums on Feb. 3 at all 70 secondary schools.

• Ongoing parent focus groups at all high schools.

“The important social-emotional and mental health supports that we are putting in place along with this new agreement with our police partners is the right solution at this time,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight. “We believe that these officers will be dependable and valuable members of our school communities.”

Police Chief Marcus Jones said, “This MOU allows for our department and our law enforcement partners to further our community policing objectives within and beyond the MCPS community. The Montgomery County Police Department is committed to the safety and security of all our MCPS staff, students and partners. This has been a genuine collaboration between all involved parties to listen to the needs of our community.”

Ruschelle Reuben, MCPS Chief of Teaching, Learning and Schools, said that the safety and security of students and staff is the district’s top priority. ”We will regularly monitor this program to ensure it is effective, and to identify any areas of improvement,” she said.. “We have held discussions with students, staff and families to make sure this plan represents a range of interests and opinions.”

The MOU also provides for an ongoing review of the program by a cross-functional team of students, staff, administrators, representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services and the police department.

CEOs will:

• Work with all schools in their assigned cluster.

• Participate in required MCPS professional development, including non-violent crisis intervention, and equity and culturally responsive engagement.

• Have a direct line of communication and contact with the school and coordinate assistance at major school events, such as athletic events, large dances or other activities.

• CEOs will not respond to routine school discipline incidents. These incidents are governed by discipline outlined in the MCPS Student Code of Conduct.

As a school principal, these new guidelines are the right balance for us. Having a more direct and collaborative relationship with our police partners will be beneficial,” said Dr. Leroy C. Evans, principal of Col. Zadok Magruder High School. “This connection in our schools will be something students and staff will see and we will derive a greater sense of security because of it.”

The MOU is effective immediately. Community Engagement Officers will be assigned to each cluster in MCPS.
See the signed MOU here.

Montgomery County Public Schools