Rockin' the Rainbow: A 50-Year Journey of Baltimore Pride
Baltimore's 50-year Pride celebration honors and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
For half a century, Baltimore Pride has been a relentless force championing the rights and voices of the LGBTQ+ community, with a recent rally held near the Washington Monument being just the latest testament to their enduring advocacy.
Cleo Manago, the CEO of the Pride Center of Maryland, acknowledged the community’s past hardships. Following the rally, activists banded together to form the Gay Community Center of Baltimore, a hub for individuals seeking unity and support.
"This community was in the shadows," Manago admitted. "This was a community, regardless of race, that was fighting for its life."
Embracing Transformation: Baltimore Pride's Evolution
Manago noted that the Gay Community Center of Baltimore started as a small, tight-knit group, but their ranks grew and transformed over time. Initially, the center focused primarily on white, gay men. However, thanks to the persistence of many, it eventually became the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore.
After further evolving, the center adopted its current name, the Pride Center of Maryland, in 2019.
Peering into the archives of the University of Baltimore, Manago uncovered images from the Pride collection depicting a joyous community. Although the smiles on the faces were genuine, the era was anything but easy as the looming specter of AIDS remained unbeknownst to many.
In response to the HIV/AIDS crisis that swept through the community, the organization rallied to provide crucial resources and support services.
"In the thousands, we were dying left and right," Manago stated somberly.
From there, the group became a formidable advocate for same-sex marriage legislation, among other causes. Yet, Manago noted that their fight for equality was not always inclusive, with marginalized voices, particularly those of people of color, often left unheard and overlooked.
Forging Ahead: Progress, Inclusion, and Empowerment
In recent years, Manago observed significant strides towards greater inclusivity and authentic representation. He emphasized the importance of building upon this progress by promoting an inclusive, empowering, and justice-seeking agenda.
Today, the Pride Center offers a multitude of programs and resources, striving to represent every facet of the community it serves. Although Manago is uncertain about the future, he vowed to continue working tirelessly to create spaces that otherwise would not exist, making the Pride Center a true haven for all.
"I'm going to continue to do work that is reparative, work that creates space that otherwise would not be created," Manago affirmed.
Manago believes that the Pride Center is bridging the gaps left in the pursuit of justice, ensuring that everyone feels seen and safe.
Kaicey Baylor, a WJZ reporter, recently joined the team. Prior to moving to Charm City, she spent three years as a multiskilled journalist at 13News Now in Norfolk, Virginia, covering significant stories such as the Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting and efforts by anti-gun violence advocates dedicated to healing their communities.
- Despite the Pride Center of Maryland's significant advancements in diversity and inclusion, Manago lamented that their fight for equality in the past was not always inclusive, with voices of people of color often ignored.
- In a bid to forge ahead and create a more inclusive society, Manago, joined by Kaicey Baylor, a WJZ reporter, pledged to cover not only LGBTQ+ news and business developments but also stories centered around race, crime, finance, and other relevant topics that affect the community at large.
