Preservation Maryland will host a public forum and listening session about LGBTQ history in Maryland on Thursday, June 13, 2019, 5:30PM-7:30PM at Chase Brexton Health Center in Baltimore City. Everyone is welcome to attend and are encouraged to come prepared to discuss local spots, like libraries, bars, churches, clinics, and private homes, that have been important in their own lives and to the lives of LGBTQ people in Maryland.

As a part of our ongoing work in LGBTQ history, Preservation Maryland will host five public listening sessions across the state during Pride Month to help inform a forthcoming context study on LGBTQ history across the state. Preservation Maryland received funding from the Maryland Historical Trust to conduct a statewide historic context report on the important places and themes of LGBTQ life in Maryland. Dr. Susan Ferentinos, a leading LGBTQ public history, will be conducting the research including leading these sessions as a way to hear directly from community members about the places that are significant to local LGBTQ history. Those places will be recorded in a master list of properties and may become part of the context study expected in November.

What is a listening session?

Preservation Maryland has brought on consultant Dr. Susan Ferentinos, author of “Interpreting LGBT History at Historic Sites and Museums,” to research a first-of-its-kind historic context report on place-based LGBTQ history across Maryland. During the meeting, Dr. Ferentinos will introduce the project and its goals, followed by ample time for attendees to discuss their stories and help both identify potential sites for inclusion in the study and to build a better understanding of sites already included.

Should I bring anything?

Preservation Maryland is not a collecting organization, so we ask that participants refrain from bringing any objects or ephemera. Should you want to donate materials, we encourage you to connect with the Maryland Historical Society. We do, however, encourage participants to come prepared to discuss local spots that have been important in their own lives and to the lives of LGBTQ people in their area.

Additional Dates & Locations

Takoma Park
Sunday, June 9, 2019, 10AM-12PM
Historic Takoma Inc., 7328 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Hosted in partnership with Historic Takoma Inc.

Eastern Shore
Monday, June 10, 2019, 6PM-8PM
Salisbury Universiry Downtown Art Gallery
212 W Main St, Salisbury, MD 21801
Hosted in partnership with Salisbury PFLAG

Central Maryland
Tuesday, June 11, 6PM-8PM
Frederick Visitor’s Center
151 S. East St, Frederick, MD, 21701

Anne Arundel County
Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 6PM-8PM
AIA Maryland
86 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401

Baltimore
Thursday, June 13, 2019, 5:30PM-7:30PM
Chase Brexton Health Care
1111 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201