From @transmaryland — Reminder! You have until February 17th to submit your comments related to new proposed rules that would alter the ability to access gender affirming care for youth.
The rules are not final and must first go through a 60 day public comment period. The Human Rights Campaign has built a public comment portal that you can use to tell HHS that you are opposed to these draft rules: https://bit.ly/comment-hhs
HHS must respond to EVERYTHING raised in comments. You can comment anonymously. Comments cannot contain profanity or they will be discarded.
#PrideSOMD
In Maryland, gender-affirming care remains available and coverage under Medicaid is unchanged.
We’re sharing the below statement (bit.ly/4s5SLb8) as reminder given recent legislation passed by the House of Representatives outlawing gender-affirming care for minors. The bill would need to pass the Senate to become law, and the path there is uncertain. Contact your Senator to tell them not to support this legislation. (https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm)
Also, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing news rules to prohibit providers from offering gendering-affirming care. A comment period will soon open for feedback, and we will share that information when available.
We love our trans family. Stay strong 🏳️⚧️
Today, we honor Transgender Day of Remembrance by remembering the lives lost to anti-trans violence and reaffirming our commitment to creating a safer, more compassionate world for all. 🕯️💜
Pride Southern Maryland stands in solidarity with our transgender community—today and every day. You are loved, valued, and never forgotten.
#TDOR #TransgenderDayOfRemembrance #PrideSouthernMaryland
Thank you to everyone who attended our 8th Annual Southern Maryland Pride Festival. Your presence, your joy, your stories, and your love are what make this community so powerful.
This year’s theme, “Existence is Resistance," came alive in every flag raised, every family who came out, every volunteer who gave their time, and every person who stood proudly and authentically. We felt it. We lived it.
A huge thank you to the Pride SoMD Board, our volunteers, vendors, community partners, and generous sponsors. This day simply could not happen without you.
To everyone who celebrated with us: thank you for showing up, thank you for speaking out, and thank you for proving that Southern Maryland is a place where everyone belongs.
Our existence matters.
Our joy matters.
And together, we are unstoppable.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
We’re setup and kicking off Pride SOMD! Join us today from 11-3:30 at Lexington Manor Passive Park for food, fun, entertainment, vendors and more! Can’t wait to see you!
Bring your dancing shoes, your clacking fans, your pride flags, and support our 🤩AMAZING🤩 entertainment lineup!
Pride SOMD is TOMORROW, from 11-3:30! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Angelica Lize
katja_attenshun
Lisa Chanel Monroe Chancellor
deiorkouture
The Newtowne Players
Vertical Dance MD, LLC
Jade
DJ Drumma
#PrideSOMD #existenceisresistance #pridesomd2025
We're thankful to Calvert County Health Department for supporting Pride SoMD, and happy to share information from them to help keep our community well! Pride is just a few days away, this Sunday November 9th! 🏳️🌈
According to the CDC, in 2020 16.1% of LGB adults smoked cigarettes. Over 25% of LGB adults use some type of commercial tobacco product. At least 50% of LGB people who smoke use menthol cigarettes. More than 35% of transgender adults smoke as well. This is not by accident. Big tobacco has spent BILLIONS of dollars advertising specifically to marginalized people. Menthol tobacco has been heavily marketed to specific groups, including the queer community.
Tobacco companies promote nicotine as a stress reliever but nicotine actually causes stress to the body and, with regular use, it harms the part of the brain regulating mood. This makes smokers more likely to become depressed. Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and more. Quitting is one of the best ways to improve both mental and physical health.
If you, or someone you love, wants to quit smoking or vaping, please reach out to the Calvert County Health Department at 410-535-5400, x359, for more information. The Maryland Tobacco Quitline provides free help in quitting, 24/7, at 1-800-784-8669.
You can also visit /outlast-tobacco/ for more information about quitting and the harm tobacco use has caused in the LGBTQ+ community.
Wow! Big 🎉 thanks 🎉 to Southern Maryland National Heritage Area for being our Stage Sponsor for #PrideSOMD2025! Pride is just a few days away!
#PrideSOMD #existenceisresistance
New attraction this year--our photo booth! Capture the memories thanks to Tammy Gladstone - State Farm Agent! Thank you for sponsoring this awesome experience! 🌈
#PrideSOMD #ExistenceIsResistance
