Baltimore’s week of LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations kicks off this week, with dozens of events happening around the city.
Pride week, which has been around since a protest held by activists in 1975, brings out thousands of Baltimoreans to celebrate the community. The biggest attractions, like the annual Pride Parade, the block party and Pride in the Park festival will all take place over the weekend.
But the Pride Center of Maryland, Baltimore Safe Haven and several other organizers and businesses have a long list of events planned for the entire week.
Tramour Wilson, one of the Pride Center of Maryland organizers, said that there is something different every day this week so that “everyone could still enjoy Pride.” This includes professional networking days, happy hours and skate nights.
Iya Dammons, head of Baltimore Safe Haven which is organizing Trans Pride events this week, said she felt it was important for transgender folks to have a place to celebrate “during this tumultuous time” for the community.
“Humanity still wins during this Pride, and we’re giving it all we got,” she said.
Here are some Pride events that might not be on your radar this month:
Jazz and spoken word take center stage atop Baltimore’s World Trade Center
Baltimore Safe Haven invites folks to enjoy an evening at the observation level at the Baltimore World Trade Center at 6 p.m. Tuesday for an evening of “Healing Through Music.” There will be live jazz, spoken word and conversations about healing in the LGBTQIA+ while looking over Baltimore.
More information can be found here.
Professional networking downtown
Pride Center of Maryland is hosting a resource fair for those looking for jobs, help with their resumes or professional headshots. Other resources will be available, as well as some giveaways. The event will take place at the War Memorial Plaza in downtown Baltimore on Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m.
You can sign up for the fair here.
Dinner and a show while out on the water
Have dinner with live music and drag performances while a boat takes you around the harbor. Community advocates will also be there to speak on wellness and safety in the LGBTQIA+ community. You can set sail on Wednesday off the Broadway Pier from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets are $77, you can buy them here.
Gather for a gay history lesson in Station North
Join Ben Egerman at The Club Car on Thursday to learn how the queer kids from Baltimore County came together to create a cult film that is “so unique, so shocking, and so filthy” it became one of the most “twisted movies ever created.” The talk is part of the Gay Little History series, and it starts at 8 p.m.
Have an artist craft your tintype portrait
Have you ever had a tintype portrait made? Now is your chance through Current Space, which is offering free portraits to LGBTQIA+ individuals. You can watch the artist craft the photo in front of you during your session on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Current Space Garden Bar.
Meet one of the final two queens on RuPaul’s ‘Drag Race’
If you didn’t catch her on season 17 of RuPaul’s “Drag Race”, Jewels Sparkles is putting on a show at The Baltimore Eagle on Friday, along with several other drag performers. Door opens at 9 p.m. (Don’t forget to bring your cash).
Buy tickets for the show here.
Shop and view local art and performances
You can shop at the Erotic Art Society’s “Unaffiliated” Pride Market in Station North on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the Mobtown Ballroom and Ynot Lot. Organizers set up live crankie shows, poetry readings and vendors.
Check out more information here.
Join a religious service catered to the LGBTQIA+ community
Because Pride month doesn’t end this week, you can visit Dreams and Visions all month (and all year) for queer-friendly religious services. This LGBTQIA+ Lutheran congregation comes together every week for book studies and prayer services.
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