05/31/2026
🏳️🌈 The Power of Pride in Difficult Times 🏳️🌈
What an incredible morning.
The room was packed as community members gathered for an honest, thoughtful, and sometimes challenging conversation about the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community today.
A heartfelt thank you to our outstanding panelists:
✨ Congresswoman Madeleine Dean
✨ Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon
✨ Morgan Selkirk
✨ Marlene Pray
✨ Dr. Lanza
✨ Emilio Buitrago
Together, they shared their experiences, their expertise, and some hard truths about the challenges ahead. But they also reminded us that hope is found in community and that each of us has a role to play.
One of the clearest takeaways from yesterday’s discussion was that action starts with educating ourselves, understanding the facts, and then showing up. Showing up for our neighbors. Showing up for our communities. Showing up when rights and dignity are under attack.
For allies, the message was equally clear: join advocacy organizations, stay engaged, and make your voice heard. Contact legislators — regardless of party — and demand leadership that protects the rights, safety, and humanity of all people.
Thank you to everyone who attended, asked thoughtful questions, shared your stories, and helped make this conversation possible.
A special thank you to the many volunteers and organizers who worked behind the scenes, and to the Montgomery County Equality Caucus (MCEC) for partnering with us to bring this event to the community.
And a shout out to our Montgomery County Commissioners for stopping by.
The conversation doesn’t end here. Let’s keep learning, keep organizing, and keep showing up for one another.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩷💙🤎🖤
