Friday, December 01, 2017

My Top 20 Local LGBT Stories of 2017

Below is a subjective ranking (in reverse order) of my top 20 Baltimore & Maryland LGBT stories for 2017.  

These stories were written for the Washington Blade and/or this blogThe full article is linked to each headline.  


A big win for a trans candidate in Virginia provided a spark for Baltimore’s Transgender March of Resilience.
Victorious Danica Roem


Beloved East Baltimore teacher, LGBT ally and GLSEN board member was feted at The Ellen Show—much to his surprise.
Wyatt Oroke with Ellen DeGeneres



Baltimore activist Brian Dolbow for the second year organized a Pride-related event that helped feed the homeless.
    

On July 6-9 the western Maryland city of Cumberland became the latest jurisdiction to celebrate LGBTQ Pride.


Baltimore Police have not found the motorist who fired a BB gun at a trans woman in Station North.


Leon’s, Baltimore’s oldest active gay bar, celebrated its 60th anniversary.


Some 600 attendees including volunteers participated in the annual AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore on May 7 raising nearly $100,000 to support Chase Brexton Health Care’s HIV/AIDS outreach and infectious disease and case management services.
AIDS Walk Baltimore, gay news, Washington Blade
Volunteers at the 2017 AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore (Photo: Aaron Cahall)

A number of LGBT organizations and leaders blasted President Trump’s ban on transgender service members.
Image: TheDailyBeast.com


Roland Park Elementary/Middle School recognized for the work being done by the diverse student-run Gay-Straight Alliance. 


A lawsuit threatening to roll back Trans protections in the Frederick County school system was met with broad resistance.



Fred Allen, longtime owner of The Drinkery, died on August 7 at the age of 86.


The Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce, bringing together LGBT and allied businesses, professionals and individuals throughout the state of Maryland, debuted on June 14. 


Baltimore Pride’s longest parade marched into Station North where the block party took place for the first time.
YouTube


Less than 6 months after it opened G•A•Y Lounge closed its doors due to a problem with the contract from the previous owner of the building but the current owners vowed to return at a different venue.


Mark A. Procopio became the executive director of FreeState Justice and Jennifer L. Kent was appointed managing attorney replacing the departing Patrick Paschall and Jer Welter, respectively.
New FreeState Justice Executive Director
Mark A. Procopio


5. Suspect Acquitted in Murder of Baltimore Trans Woman    Shawn Oliver, 46, was acquitted of all charges on Jan. 12 in the murder of Mia Henderson that took place in 2014.
Shawn Oliver was acquitted of all charges in the murder of Mia Henderson.


Following a meeting between transgender rights advocates and Baltimore’s Board of School Commissioners on Feb. 28, a statement pledging support for transgender students was issued in response to Trump administration’s rescinding guidelines issued by the Obama administration in 2016 that prohibited discrimination against transgender students.  
Demonstrators outside Board of Education headquarters.
(Photo by Evan Lori Mahone)


3. Grand Central in Baltimore is Up for Sale

 Grand Central nightclub, a fixture in Mount Vernon for over a quarter century has been put on the market by owner Don Davis.


After a 4-year hiatus, the reconstructed Baltimore Eagle opened.
Photo: JoeMyGod.com



Police are still searching for the suspect in connection with the murder of trans woman Alphonza Watson, 38, who died of a gunshot wound on March 22.  
Alphonza Watson

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