Exclusive | Entertainment News
It's Pride Month and if you're all about, "One Heart, One Love, One Pride" Baltimore Pride 2023 is where you need to be this summer!
Hosted by the Pride Center of Maryland, the celebration will take place from June 17-25th of this year with Remy Ma and K. Michelle headlining it all. Baltimore Pride's mission is to bring together over 100,000 people from across the region alongside allies and well-known businesses to celebrate the contributions of the LGBT community to society.
The week-long festival will kick off on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pride of Mt. Vernon, a community event where residents can mix and mingle with neighborhood artists, DJs and businesses.
On June 24-25 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., residents can look forward to chart-topping artist K. Michelle and Grammy-nominated artist Remy Ma performing at Pride In The Park. Remy Ma will perform Saturday, following up with K. Michelle on Sunday!
Ursula Franklin, Program Manager of Pride Center Maryland, exclusively tells Gaye Magazine that it was important to have headlining artists who have overcome similar struggles as her community.
"These two ladies [ K. Michelle and Remy Ma] have had similar experiences like all of us, and both really know the true meaning of overcoming where you've come from. Overcoming what the media says...domestic violence, incarceration, having children, being able to outshine stigma and trauma. So it's bigger than them just singing and providing their art, it's what they stand for."
This year Baltimore is celebrating their 48th annual Pride Parade and celebration. The Pride Center of Maryland which started in 1975 as a small gathering for LGBT activists, evolved into a movement each year with new ways to bring awareness and city-wide traditions.
Baltimore Pride is one of the largest LGBTQ+ festivals on the East Coast, drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the country. One of the most popular events is Baltimore Pride's Block Party, which will take place this year on June 24th from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. between North Ave & 23rd St.
Another highly anticipated event is Baltimore Pride's Twilight on the Terrace, which is the largest gala for The Pride Center of Maryland. It features fine food, an open bar & great music, all in the beautiful atmosphere of Gertrude’s. Pride goers will be able to enjoy a night of socializing and dancing under the stars.
The variety of events symbolizes the resources Baltimore aims to achieve for everyone each year.
"The division amongst the prides when it comes to race is real. But Baltimore Pride...it's for everyone," Ursula Franklin tells Gaye.
"We're located around so many huge hubs...we drop down off into D.C. and we're so close to Philly, and New York so every race is welcome!"
Tickets for Baltimore Pride are available now, and organizers are urging people to buy early, as this year's festival is expected to sell out quickly. For more information about Baltimore Pride, including ticket sales and the full lineup of events, visit the festival's website at www.baltimorepride.org. Learn more about the Pride Center of Maryland at www.pridecentermd.org.
As Baltimore Pride continues to grow more opportunities are available to the community and your involvement helps make Baltimore Pride the largest LGBTQ+/SGL movement in Maryland.
Watch Our Full Interview with Ursula Franklin Below: