Over 20 Pride events are happening in Maryland this June. 

Maryland held its first Pride event, Baltimore Pride, way back in 1975. While this event started with only 12 or so activists, it has grown exponentially over the years. Last June, Baltimore Pride alone brought together upwards of 150,000 people. 

Although some of these Maryland pride events are really large, with 20+ to choose from locally, there is something for everyone. These events range from small street markets to events with live music and giant parades.

“[Pride] allows you to connect with more people and meet people you never would have met if you were just sticking to the community in your high school,” junior Max Dell said.

Not only does going to pride events help you meet new people, but it can also help your community and inspire younger people to feel more confident in themselves. 

Dell went on to explain that “[Going to pride events] can help people learn to feel the same confidence that everyone else in the community feels, I say everyone else but a lot of people who are currently in the queer community… don’t feel confident.” 

Figuring out where to start when it comes to attending pride events can be difficult, especially when there are so many. It is important to keep in mind that size may be a factor as you consider what event to attend.  As these events can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time, you may want to consider going to a smaller event like Old Ellicott Pride, or, if you like being around lots of people, a bigger one like Baltimore Pride.

“Last year at Pride, I went to the Montgomery County pride community gathering… and just a few weeks ago I went to the Montgomery pride summit,” sophomore CJ Murray said. “Most things that [Montgomery County] does are pretty awesome. D.C. pride is also pretty cool, but if you want to stay close to home, anything MOCO Pride.”

The key point of Pride month is celebrating the ability for queer people to be themselves, so whether you are queer or not, consider going to a Pride event to celebrate the queer community and queer activism. 

Below is a list of pride events happening in Maryland:

• Saturday, June 6th, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Old Ellicott City Pride
• Sunday, June 7th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Takoma Pride Festival, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Rockville Pride
• Monday, June 8th, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm Old Ellicott City Pride, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm Baltimore Pride
• Tuesday, June 9th, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Baltimore Pride
• Wednesday, June 10th, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm Baltimore Pride
• Thursday, June 11th, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Baltimore Pride
• Friday, June 12th, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Baltimore Pride
• Saturday, June 13th, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Delmarva Pride Festival, 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm Baltimore Pride, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Catonsville Pride, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Poolesville Pride Festival
• Sunday, June 14th, 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm Baltimore Pride
• Friday, June 26th, 7:00 pm Fredrick Pride
• Saturday, June 27th, 10:00 am – 12:00 am Ocean City Pride Parade, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Frederick Pride
• Sunday, June 28th, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm Pride in the Plaza