OUR MISSION
Annapolis Pride’s mission is to advocate for, empower, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Anne Arundel County to live fully and authentically.
OUR VISION
A safe, equitable, and anti-racist community where people of all identities thrive.
OUR GOALS
- Build visibility and awareness of LGBTQ+ issues.
- Create an anti-racist and multicultural organization comprising anti-racist members, ideas, and policies.
- Create safe and affirming spaces where all people feel welcome.
- Connect the LGBTQ+ community with allies and resources.
OUR PRIORITIES
- Create a sustainable and viable organization
- Promote, host, and support various events throughout the year in support of our mission, vision, and goals, including an Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Festival
- Advocate, support, and create a safe space for all identities.
WE HAVE SUCCEEDED WHEN
- The public actively supports the LGBTQ+ community.
- LGBTQ+ people have equitable access to health and wellness.
- LGBTQ+ adults and you feel safe, represented, and feel a sense of belonging.
OUR STORY
2018
- A group of determined community members began creating the concept for Annapolis Pride during winter.
- On May 25, the Facebook page launched with the iconic anchor logo created by Pomerantz Marketing and quickly began to gain followers.
- At the request of Annapolis Pride, Mayor Gavin Buckley declared June as LGBTQ+ Pride month for the first time in the history of the City of Annapolis. The proclamation stated that Annapolis would host its first pride parade and festival in June 2019.
- In September, at the request of Annapolis Pride, the Annapolis Police Department appointed its first LGBTQ+ liaison officer.
2019
- In January, it officially formed its founding Board of Directors. In March, it received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS.
- Successfully advocated for LGBTQ+ programs at the Anne Arundel County Public Library, including the system’s first-ever Drag Queen Storytime.
- On June 29, hosted the inaugural Annapolis Pride Parade & Festival on West Street.
2020
- In June, following the murder of George Floyd and many others at the hands of police,
- Partnered with local Black Lives Matter activists to host the All Black Lives Matter march. It also created an anti-racism resources page on its website and adopted an anti-racism statement as policy.
- Hosted a virtual parade in the face of a global pandemic, bringing together important figures in the LGBTQ+ community to discuss key issues.
2021
- In June, along with advocates from the Coalition for LGBTQ+ Students, successfully advocated for Anne Arundel County Public Schools to adopt the Safe and Inclusive Environments for LGBTQ+ Students policy.
- In September, its nonpartisan 2021 candidate questionnaire was released, making data about local candidates’ stances on issues important to the LGBTQ+ community publicly available for the first time.
2022
- Along with other community groups, successfully advocated for transgender and gender-affirming care to be covered in county employee health insurance plans.
- AACPS Board of Education voted to approve LGBTQ+ history and African American history courses after working with the Coalition for LGBTQ+ Students and several other advocacy groups.
- At the request of Annapolis Pride, proclamations from the Mayor of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Executive recognized Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31.
- Hosted annual parade and festival with ever-increasing attendance and participation.
2023
- With input from community partners, the organization finalized its first strategic plan and developed a new mission and vision statement.
- Hosted first-ever legislative breakfast with local and state legislators in attendance.
- Along with other community groups, we successfully advocated for gender-affirming healthcare to be made a covered expense for people receiving Medicaid in Maryland.
- Held summit on safety for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Hosted the biggest parade and festival to date, along with supporting events.
- Participated in the first-ever LGBTQ+ reception at the Governor’s Mansion.
2024
- Hosted summit on health and safety of LGBTQ+ youth (with PFLAG and Anne Arundel County Libraries)
- Advocated for bills calling for HIV decriminalization, freedom to read, expanding access to PrEP without a prescription, ensuring gender-affirming treatment is defined as legally protected health care, and other bills.
- Hosted legislative reception with local and state legislators in attendance.
- Expanded the route of the Pride Parade and moved the festival to Maryland Hall.
- Welcomed, for the first time, a sitting MD Governor and 11,000 people to our 4th Parade and Festival.
- Co-hosted a summit on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Identities with the Coalition for LGBTQ+ Students.
- Created a YouTube Channel with videos of our summits.
Photo credit: Devon Rowland Photography
