June marks the beginning of Pride Month, a time to celebrate the courage, creativity, and history of the LGBTQ+ community, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for equality. Pride is more than a celebration. It’s a reminder of the ongoing struggle for dignity and safety, and a testament to the resilience of a community that has always shown up, spoken out, and refused to be erased. We honor that legacy, and we stand in full solidarity, not just this month but always.

Throughout June, we’ll be highlighting Pride events happening across the state in a special section of this memo. Be sure to check it out each week to find local celebrations and ways to show your support.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through the year and it feels like time is flying. So much has unfolded across the country, and here in Maryland, we’ve been playing both defense and offense in the fight for justice. Whether it’s protecting our communities from harmful federal rollbacks or laying the groundwork for bold state-level wins, our team is working every day to advance a progressive vision on every front.

Read on for important updates from our issue campaigns, ways to get involved,  plus key news from Maryland and around the country.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

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Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• Campaign Updates

• Pride events

• State & National News

• PM Job Openings

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: 

Healthcare Task Force

Take Action: Stop the Deadly Budget Bill!!

The House of Representatives passed a budget on May 23rd that will crush the most essential health care programs our country has. Hundreds of billions of dollars in funding and subsidies for Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act  will be stripped away. This week the bill moves to the Senate so there is still time to stop this assault. If you haven’t yet taken action now is the time. If you have, thank you and we hope you will double down with us. The Republicans are trying to ram these cuts through, short-circuiting any real vetting, hearings or debate about the proposal because they don’t want the American people to know what they’re doing.  

In Maryland, the proposed cuts and changes to Medicaid alone will put more than one and a half million people in our state at great risk, including almost half the children who live in Maryland. These cuts will undermine all of the vital services that nursing homes, community health centers, and health professionals provide to vulnerable folks all over the state. We’re learning from our members about what they think. Take a minute to answer a few questions. 

• pgmd.us/medicaidsurvey

We know Sen. Van Hollen will do the right thing in opposing health care cuts. He has led a vocal, vigorous and visible campaign to push back against the Trump regime’s attempts to destroy the government. We also know he appreciates hearing from his constituents. Just use this link to send him an email:

• ppls.ac/stopthecuts

We need your help to let our communities know what's at stake and how to fight back! Join the grassroots outreach team.

•  Volunteer with us:  

Contact Patty at [email protected]  for more information about our work.

Environmental Justice: Gov Wes Moore Signs Bill into Law: No More Cash For Trash

After an arduous legislative session, on Tuesday, May 21, the Environmental Justice Task Force was there to witness Governor Wes Moore sign the Next Generation Act into law, which includes the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act. A historic moment has occurred, as incinerator companies will no longer profit from inflicting cancer on the black and brown residents of South Baltimore. A 14-year legacy has finally reached its conclusion. Now, authentic clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy will receive financial support from Maryland ratepayers, which will also assist our state in combating the climate crisis.

This achievement has sent a clear message to incinerator companies that the power of the people cannot be ignored, and when frontline communities come together, they can be defeated.

Meanwhile, the EJTF is still preparing for its victory celebration, and details about the event will be shared as soon as they are confirmed. Every dog has its day, and now there’s no more funding for trash!

Across the State:

Harford County 

Progressive Harford County is tabling at this year's Upper Bay Juneteenth Festival. The festival is a day of edu-tainment, music, fun, and family with craft and food vendors. Sign up for a slot to help run the table at the festival.

Shore Progress: 2025 Legislative Wrap-Up

With federal leadership falling short, local action is more important than ever. That’s why Shore Progress is hosting the 2025 Shore Legislative Wrap-Up—a virtual event to break down this year’s session, hear from key speakers, and strategize for what’s next on the Eastern Shore.

The event will take place virtually on Wednesday, June 11 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Tickets are $10 and include access to the full Legislative Wrap-Up Document and Toolkit to help you engage your neighbors on the issues that matter.

Sign up here to join us and be part of the conversation

PRIDE EVENTS:

Saturday, June 8
Old Ellicott City Pride | 12–6 PM
Howard County Circuit Courthouse, Ellicott City
Drag, music, food, and games in celebration of community and inclusiveness. Free.

June 9–15
Baltimore Pride Week
Parade: Saturday, June 15 | 10 AM–12 PM
Block Party: Saturday, June 15 | 3 PM–Sunset
Charles Street, Baltimore
Celebrating 50 years of Pride with floats, DJs, and drag royalty. Free.

Thursday–Sunday, June 12–16
Delmarva Pride Festival Weekend
Multiple days of events celebrating LGBTQ+ life on the Shore.

Saturday, June 21
Catonsville Pride | 2–5 PM
Catonsville Presbyterian Church
Tickets: $5 adults / $4 teens & military
Proceeds benefit transgender youth services.

Hagerstown Pride | 12–6 PM
Doubs Woods Park
Live performances, vendors, and celebration. Free.

Thursday, June 26
Westminster Pride | 11 AM–7 PM
Downtown Westminster
Parade, entertainment, and community fun.

Saturday, June 28
Salisbury Pride | 11 AM–5 PM
Bell Tower Green
The 13th annual celebration on the Eastern Shore.

Sunday, June 29
Montgomery County Pride | 12–8 PM
Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring
Live music, local vendors, and family activities.

Cumberland Pride | 12–4 PM
Canal Place, Downtown Cumberland
Live drag, music, and unity in the mountains.

EVENTS FROM ALLIES:

 Emergency Town Hall on the GENIUS Act Vote

Tomorrow night, Our Revolution is hosting an emergency virtual town hall ahead of the final vote on the controversial GOP-led GENIUS Act — a bill that critics warn would give crypto billionaires and Wall Street even more power over our financial system. Despite strong opposition from Democratic advocates, Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks voted to end the filibuster, handing over critical leverage that could have stopped the bill.

With the final vote still looming, this is a key moment to demand accountability, ask hard questions, and organize around what’s at stake for working Marylanders and consumer protections.

Virtual Town Hall: Hold Senator Alsobrooks Accountable
Tuesday, June 3 at 6:00 PM ET
Location: Online

RSVP here to join.

News You Can Use: MD struggles with Trump policies while Congress tries to tamp down GOP dissent

These "states fight back against Trumpworld" headlines are starting to get old, sure, but that's what's actually happening. Zone floods, states turn on the pumps. Again. Just like last week.

We start in Maryland, where sanctuary questions roil some jurisdictions, farmers report worries about future supply but no significant harm from Trump tariffs -- yet -- lots of talk about Gov. Moore running in the 2028 presidential, to which he says "no" and argues for focus on "now," and a first set of new laws kicks in as of June 1. In other states, big worries about impact of House spending bill cuts on low-income folks (including in Red states) and business lobbies complicate already-endangered state incentives for cooler buildings. And then there's Congress, where the GOP majority kissing the Trump, er, ring is showing some fractures, again Red-state Senators worried about Medicaid shortfalls. It's News You Can use for the beginning of a long, hot summer...

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Racial and Economic Justice Organizer

Progressive Maryland BlogSpace: 

We value creating space for our members to express their thoughts on any issues related to our campaigns. Have an idea for a blog post? You can submit writing, film, graphic design, etc. to be published on our website to the blog moderator Woody. 

• NEW TODAY – News You Can Use: MD struggles with Trump policies while Congress tries to tamp down GOP dissent
  
• News You Can Use: Congress did its worst and went home, so Trump social media is our only entertainment
• News You Can Use: Maryland, other states backfill as fed money is cut off 
• News You Can Use: How to hold the guardrails firm on health care
• News You Can Use: Maryland's ex-fed workers find tough market; fund cuts keep on coming 

• Community schools anchor long-lasting education in every neighborhood

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org