PCOM Perspectives — A digital publication created for and by LGBTQ/SGL* voices and allies
Baltimore City Hall and surrounding civic architecture bathed in warm golden-hour light.Multigenerational LGBTQ/SGL* community members gathered on a Baltimore row-house stoop in candid conversation.Baltimore Pride march filling a downtown street, marchers carrying rainbow and Progress Pride flags under a clear sky.Young LGBTQ/SGL* writer seated on outdoor steps with an open notebook, gaze turned thoughtfully outward.
Baltimore News
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Local Desk

City Council Weighs LGBTQ/SGL* Protections

A plain-language look at proposed Baltimore protections across housing, employment, public spaces, and community safety. Placeholder copy pending verified reporting.

Portrait of Jordan Ellington, PCOM Perspectives Local Desk contributor, smiling at the camera.
By Jordan Ellington
May 20, 2025·6 min read
News

Baltimore Brief

Local headlines, civic updates, and policy developments affecting LGBTQ/SGL* communities.

Culture

The Culture Desk

Art, nightlife, performance, drag, ballroom, books, music, film, and everyday creative life.

Health Corner

Care, Safety & Wellness

Practical resources on mental health, prevention, affirming care, and community wellbeing.

Youth Voices

Young, Queer, and Leading

Essays, interviews, art, and perspectives from young LGBTQ/SGL* voices.

Baltimore civic architecture at golden hour
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Local Desk

Baltimore, through a community lens.

News, policy, institutions, neighborhoods, and civic life — reported through an LGBTQ/SGL* community perspective.

  • Policy

    City Council Weighs LGBTQ/SGL* Protections

    Proposed updates on housing, employment, and public-space safety.

    Placeholder · pending verified source
  • Housing

    Mutual Aid Networks Expand Winter Shelter Capacity

    How neighborhood groups are filling gaps for LGBTQ/SGL* residents.

    Placeholder · pending verified source
  • Schools

    What Baltimore Students Are Asking For

    Educators, counselors, and youth on safety, support, and belonging.

    Placeholder · pending verified source
  • Civic Life

    A Reader's Guide to the Next Local Election

    Issues, candidates, and how to participate in community-level decisions.

    Placeholder · pending verified source
PCOM NarrativeYouth Voices

Why Youth Voices Matter

Portrait of Marcus Henry, youth advocate and PCOM Perspectives contributor, in soft natural light.
Written by Marcus Henry
Youth Advocate & Writer

An editorial perspective on the power of young LGBTQ+/SGL voices in building inclusive community.

The youth perspective at The Pride Center of Maryland is about creating a space where young LGBTQ+/SGL people are not only supported, but truly heard, valued, and empowered. It means recognizing that youth experiences are unique and that young people deserve a seat at the table when conversations are happening about their lives, safety, education, health, and future.

Youth voices bring honesty, creativity, and lived experience to the LGBTQ/SGL* community. Young people are navigating identity, relationships, school environments, mental health challenges, family acceptance, social media pressures, and community building in ways that previous generations did not experience in the same way.

At The Pride Center of Maryland, a youth-centered perspective can look like creating safe spaces, giving youth leadership opportunities, including youth in decision-making, providing mentorship and resources, encouraging creativity, and building community connections that reduce isolation and increase belonging.

Community health resource table at a Baltimore rec center Health CornerCredit
Practical · Affirming · Local

Care, safety, and wellness — without the clinical gloss.

A recurring desk for mental health, affirming care, prevention, family acceptance, elder support, and resource navigation. Written for real people.

  • Mental health
  • Affirming care
  • HIV/STI prevention
  • Substance use support
  • Family acceptance
  • Grief & community care
  • LGBTQ/SGL* elders
  • Youth support
  • Safety planning
  • Resource navigation
Browse the Health Corner
What to Read, Watch & Stream

Culture worth your attention this month.

Books, films, shows, music, and local picks — recommended by our editors and community contributors.

See the column
Open hardcover memoir resting on a wooden table beside a cup of coffee and reading glasses. BOOKSCredit

A Memoir About Chosen Family and Survival

A monthly book review exploring identity, memory, care, and community.

Television screen glowing in a darkened living room, casting cinematic light across the floor. TV & FILMCredit

Five Queer Stories to Watch This Month

A short guide to series, films, and documentaries that open up conversation.

Vinyl record spinning on a turntable with warm studio lights reflecting off its grooves. MUSICCredit

Playlist: Sounds from the Community

Artists, songs, and moods moving through queer Baltimore.

Local Baltimore artist standing in their studio surrounded by vivid, in-progress canvases. ARTCredit

Local Artist Spotlight

A visual artist reflects on memory, identity, joy, and public space.

Vintage marquee of a Baltimore independent cinema lit up at night for a film festival screening. LOCAL PICKSCredit

Queer Screenings Around the Region

Film nights, festivals, and screenings across Baltimore and the greater DMV.

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Cartoon of the Week

Laughing Through It.

A weekly illustrated take on queer life, Baltimore moments, culture, and community.

See it

Appreciation Corner

Spotlights · Thank-yous · Community love

Community Appreciation

Celebrating the Volunteers Behind the Work

From event setup to outreach and day-to-day support, our volunteers help keep community care visible, active, and grounded.

Appreciation by PCOM Perspectives
Youth Spotlight

Honoring Young Voices That Show Up Boldly

Young leaders continue to shape our programs, conversations, and future with creativity, honesty, and courage.

Appreciation by PCOM Perspectives
Community Leadership

Thank You to the People Building Belonging

We recognize the organizers, supporters, artists, and advocates whose work helps create stronger, safer, and more joyful spaces.

Appreciation by PCOM Perspectives
View More »

Who / What / When

What's happening at PCOM, across Baltimore, and around the greater DMV.

01 / 02
PCOM EVENT

Youth Open House and Community Mixer

Read Details
BALTIMORE

Baltimore Pride Planning Town Hall

Read Details
DMV

LGBTQ/SGL* Wellness Collective Meetup

Read Details
COMMUNITY

PCOM Volunteer Appreciation Gathering

Read Details
Fresh Stories
News

Baltimore City Council Advances LGBTQ/SGL*-Inclusive Protections

A plain-language look at what proposed local protections could mean for housing, employment, and public spaces. Placeholder copy pending verified reporting.

Local Desk · 4 min read
Community

The People Building Belonging in Baltimore

A profile of organizers, volunteers, elders, artists, and neighbors whose everyday work strengthens the LGBTQ/SGL* community.

Community · 6 min read
Health Corner

Mental Health During Pride Season and Beyond

Practical guidance on stress, belonging, chosen family, affirming support, and where to find help.

Health · 5 min read

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