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 blog.  The full article is linked to each headline.  

20. A Ray of Sunshine Through the Clouds  

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

Victorious Danica Roem

19. Baltimore Ally Surprised at Ellen Show  

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

18. Feeding the Homeless Pride Event on Tap   

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

    

17. Cumberland to Hold its First Pride  

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

16. Trans Woman Injured in BB Gun Attack in Baltimore  

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

15. Leon’s Bar in Baltimore Celebrates 60 Years   

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

14. AIDS Walk Baltimore Raises $100,000   

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.

Volunteers at the 2017 AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore (Photo: Aaron Cahall)

13. Baltimore Activists Slam Trump’s Trans Ban      

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

Image: TheDailyBeast.com

12. Baltimore School to be Honored by GLSEN  

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

11. Trans Students, Allies Fighting for Safe Schools in Frederick 

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

10. Former owner of The Drinkery Dies   

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

9. Maryland LGBT Chamber of Commerce to Launch  

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

8. A Successful Baltimore ‘Pride Unleashed’    

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

YouTube

7. G•A•Y Lounge to Close

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.

6. FreeState Justice Names New Leadership 

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.

4. Baltimore School Board Pledges to Support Trans Students   

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.

2. Baltimore Eagle Set to Take Flight    

After a 4-year hiatus, the reconstructed Baltimore Eagle opened.

Photo: JoeMyGod.com

1. Trans Woman Murdered in Baltimore   

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