MoCo Pride

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass (At-Large) announced a series of LGBTQ+ Pride Month events throughout the month of June. Events include a Pride flag raising outside the Executive Office Building in Rockville, Pride Family Day at Glen Echo Park and a Pride youth writing competition.

“I’m excited to host Montgomery County’s fifth annual LGBTQ+ Pride month events,” said Council President Evan Glass. “This is a time for celebration, reflection and unity. Today, the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans are under relentless attack. Members of the LGBTQ+ community — especially people of color and trans people — continue to face discrimination and efforts to undermine their human rights. As we continue our struggle for greater civil rights and liberties, Pride Month is a time to not only reflect on our progress but to focus on the work ahead.”

Per Montgomery County: In preparation for Pride Month in June, the County’s Department of  Health and Human Services and the Office of Community Partnerships have announced a community-wide call to artists and designers to create the County’s official 2023 Montgomery County Pride decal. The winning design will be printed and distributed for use by businesses, nonprofit organizations, County Government and others to show their public support for LGBTQ+ communities in Montgomery County. The winning design from the youth/young adult category will be printed for use specifically at youth-serving establishments and schools.

All submissions are due by Wednesday, June 1 and should be submitted electronically on the MontgomeryCountyPride.org website. The County’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board will choose up to five final designs to be displayed at County Pride Month events and on social media for public voting.

Per Montgomery County: In honor of Pride Month, Montgomery County will partner with Live in Your Truth Programs, a local LGBTQ+ arts and culture organization, to host its third annual “Pride in the Plaza” event from noon-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 25. Pride in the Plaza is an outdoor LGBTQ+ pride festival at Downtown Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza.

Pride in the Plaza will feature an LGBTQ+ focused resource and vendor fair, a bilingual Drag Story Hour and the championship finale of “Live in Your Truth Program’s Drag Duels” series. The day will conclude with the third annual Pride in the Plaza Mini-Ball, a free voguing competition with cash prizes.  The mini-ball competition, sponsored in partnership with the Capitol Ballroom Council, will begin at 5 p.m.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jessica Pearson is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

Per Montgomery County: Youth members of the LGBTQ+ community will tell their stories—and share the challenges they have faced—in a virtual town hall meeting sponsored by EveryMind from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The panel members also will talk about support systems that have been helpful to them and offer ideas for improved support.

EveryMind, whose mission is to strengthen communities and empower individuals to reach optimal metal wellness, has structured the event to benefit parents, foster parents, caregivers, guardians, extended family members, mental health professionals and service providers who care for LGBTQ+ youth.