A compilation of resources and local events in honor of Pride Month, brought to you by the College of Information Studies.
June 1 marks the beginning of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a celebration that recognizes the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Pride Month officially began in 1970, a year after the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Today, pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world.
The University of Maryland has been consistently ranked among the top LGBTQ+ friendly universities named by Campus Pride. UMD’s LGBTQ+ Equity Center provides the campus with critical leadership and expertise in building a fully equitable community; strengthens and supports people of diverse sexes, gender identities or expressions, and sexual orientations; and develops visible and vibrant LGBTQ+ campus communities. The Center has worked to implement policies, provide resources such as workshops and training, wellness groups, scholarships, and internships, and several other initiatives in support of LGBTQ+ people and procedures.
This year’s Pride Month theme at UMD is “Breaking Out of the Shell,” announced on behalf of the Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA). This theme recognizes the transformative process that so many LGBTQ+ individuals experience in their discovery of self-authenticity, and poses the question: what “shells” have you broken out of? What “shells” remain – as either shelter or confinement?
Here are several other LGBTQ+ organizations and resources offered across campus as well as national organizations compiled by the College of Information Studies (Info College):
Pride Alliance at UMD (Student Resources)
Providing community, support, and advocacy for queer and trans students at UMD, and educating the broader community, including allies, about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences and how they intersect with other identities.
The Trevor Project (Advocacy/Youth Resources)
Provides 24/7 care and resources to LGBTQ young people.
Trans Lifeline (Resources/Crisis Response)
Connecting trans people to the community support and resources needed to survive and thrive.
Education on using correct pronouns to create an inclusive environment for all.
GLAAD (Media Advocacy)
As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.
National LGBTQ Task Force (Advocacy)
Training and mobilizing millions of activists across the nation to advance full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people.
Lambda Legal (Advocacy/Legal Representation)
Committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
Matthew Shepard Foundation (Advocacy)
Creating legacy works, speaking engagements, and other unique programming to inspire individuals, organizations and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people.
PFLAG (Allyship/Youth Resources)
Providing support and information you need when a loved one comes out.
Straight For Equality (Allyship Resources)
The Straight for Equality in the Workplace has been the organization’s most successful initiative with an always-developing array of learning sessions available to corporations and other organizations in the U.S.
Across the region, several events will be happening all month long across the region to celebrate Pride Month:
Learn more about how the UMD Info College is honoring national heritage months.