Happy Pride Month! June is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle and incredible resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a time to honor those who have bravely fought for their rights, often at great personal cost, and to recognize the work still ahead of us. The fight for equality is far from over, and it’s up to all of us to stand in solidarity and continue pushing for justice.

This month, we will be highlighting a range of Pride events happening across Maryland in our weekly memos. Be sure to check out this section and join us in supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.

If you attended Annapolis Pride this weekend, you may have seen Larry Hogan there and joined in the boos he received. After years of doing nothing for the rights of  LGBTQ Marylanders when he was Governor, even in the wake of Republican led attacks on trans youth, he thinks he can just wave a pride flag now and get elected to represent us in the U.S. Senate.

Read on for important updates from our issue campaigns and task forces.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team
 
 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

    • PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates
    • Local Chapter Updates
    • Pride Events
 

PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates

Healthcare Justice: Care Over Cost! Join us In June and all summer!

 

Help Us Meet Our Goals: 

 

1. Knock on a thousand doors! The response we’ve gotten this last year has been great. We just need to engage more people in the fight against health insurance companies who are denying, delaying, and downplaying the medicines, treatments and services our providers are recommending.  

➢ Sign up for door knocking this coming Sunday, June 9th. We’ll provide training, materials, and snacks.  

 

2. Gather 10 more healthcare stories in June! Fill out this form if you are currently fighting your insurance company or have had issues with them in the past getting approval for care and claims.

➢ Share your experience here. 

 

Progressive elected officials at the state and federal level tell us that the stories of everyday people are a critical tool for helping them crack down on these big, powerful companies once and for all. 

 

Speaking of stories, check out this article from the Guardian featuring some of our leaders with stories and a quote from People’s Action’s Federal Affairs Director, Megan Essaheb.  

 

Have a presence in communities across the state! It’s time for festivals, picnics, fairs and parades including Pride events this month! It’s fun to do tabling or flyering at one of these events. We have the materials you need and tips on how to do it. Just contact Patty and she or one of our volunteers can get you what you need, including one of us to help.
 

PM Local Chapter Updates

South Prince George's County:

 

We are tired of our school's quality in Prince George's County! There are currently federal opportunities to improve our schools' infrastructure through solar panels and we want to take advantage of these to provide extra student, teacher, and community resources. Join us on June 22nd from 2:00 - 3:30 to demand that the school board and Oxon Hill elected leaders take our schools and our communities seriously! RSVP here. 
 

PRIDE EVENTS:

➜ Capital Pride

Saturday, June 8 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

➜ Baltimore Pride

June 10 - June 16, 2024

 

➜ Frederick Pride

Saturday, June 22nd from 11-6 at Carroll Creek Linear Park in Frederick, MD

 

➜ Salisbury Pride

Saturday, June 29, 3-7pm in Downtown Salisbury

 

➜ MoCo  Pride

Sunday, June 30th 12pm to 8pm at Veterans Plaza