LGBTQ+ Crisis Hotline: 866-488-7386 | Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 988 | Physical Emergency: 911 | Maryland Resources: 211

Our History

From the Beginning

 

three people holding rainbow flag 2012
  • FCC student Austin Beach identifies a lack of LGBTQ+ resources.
  • Cindie Beach, Diane Iñiguez, and Brian Walker join Austin’s efforts.
  • In April, they launched the Youth Group.
  • In June,  the first Frederick Pride event at Ballenger Creek Park.
  • The four initiate the building of The Frederick Center organization.
2013
  • Elected the first eight-member board of directors.
  • Received federal 501 (c)3 nonprofit status.
  • Held 50 youth group meetings.
  • Began a Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Support Group.
  • Began Pink Drinks – a monthly social networking event.
  • 2nd annual Frederick Pride at Utica Park with 900 attendees.
  • 2013 Annual Meeting.

Thank you to our board members: Brian Walker, Maureen Connors, Cindie Beach, Peter Brehm, Rev. Rob Apgar-Taylor, Diane Iñiguez, Katherine Jones, and Steve Pippin

Frederick Pride Banner on lamppost 2014
  • Frederick Pride held at Carrol Creek Park with 3,000 attendees.
  • Opened office at Grace United Church of Christ.
  • Began giving away free HIV home test kits.
  • Joined our first area organizations as LGBTQ+ community reps.
  • 2014 Annual Meeting.

Thank you to our board members: Brian Walker, Maureen Connors, Cindie Beach, Peter Brehm, Rev. Rob Apgar-Taylor, Diane Iñiguez, Katherine Jones, and Steve Pippin.

rainbow rubber frederick center bracelets 2015
  • Began offering LGBTQ 101 training courses
  • Increased relationships with outside organizations.
  • Continued to grow Frederick Pride.
  • Began Planning first-annual Welcoming Frederick.
  • Hired our first counselor/employee for the youth group.
  • Increased our HIV distribution program.
  • Added paid membership.
  • 2015 Annual Meeting.

Thank you to our board members: Brian Walker, Maureen Connors, Adam Debaugh, Peter Brehm, Liz Barrett, Cindie Beach, Kris Fair, Barbara Kershner Daniel, Katherine Jones, Steve Pippin, and Gene Stanton.

drag queen interacting with audience along carroll creek 2016
  • Held the first Welcoming Frederick Conference
  • Grew Frederick Pride hosting Trixie Mattel
  • Launched TransFamilies
  • Launched Young Adult Group
  • Launched Healing Pride with Heartly House.
  • Hosted the Frederick Pulse Vigil.
  • 2016 Annual Meeting.

Thank you to our board members: Kris Fair, Maureen Connors, Adam Debaugh, Peter Brehm, Ruth Bushnell, Barbara Kershner Daniel, Kathy Fay, Em Perper, Tony Soltero, Gene Stanton, and Brian Walker. 

 

Frederick center members standing on stairs holding pride flags 2017
  • Continued to expand Frederick Pride.
  • Hosted second annual Welcoming Frederick Conference.
  • Held the second annual Carnival night.
  • Expanded LGBTQ+ 101 training with a new outreach committee.
  • Help City of Frederick reach a perfect HRC Score of 100.
  • 2017 Annual Meeting.

Thank you to our board members: Kris Fair, Peter Brehm, Ruth Bushnell, Susan Leathery, Lisa Algazi Marcus, Maureen Connors, Barbara Kershner Daniel, Kathy Fay, Araminta Finn, Em Perper, Tony Soltero, Richard Stonebraker, and Brian Walker. 

Frederick Center pamphlets lined up on red table cloth 2018
  • Added a second facilitator to youth programming.
  • Worked on the county non-discrimination policy.
  • Expanded the size of Frederick Pride.
  • 2018 Annual Meeting.

Thank you to our board members: Kris Fair, Peter Brehm, Kathy Fay, Susan Leathery, Lisa Algazi Marcus, Maureen Connors, Barbara Kershner Daniel, Araminta Finn, Em Perper, Jeffrey Poirier, Tony Soltero, and Richard Stonebraker. 

pride flags along carroll creek bridge 2019
  • Held the board of directors first strategic planning retreat.
  • Redefined our mission, values, and goals.
  • Frederick Pride hit an all time high of 15,000+ attendees.
  • Reformatted the board with nine subcommittees.
  • Passed the Frederick County Non-discrimination policy.

Thank you to our board members: Kris Fair, Ronnie Taylor, Lisa Algazi Marcus, Tony Soltero, Peter Brehm, Nina Carr, Joy Christakis, Clare Madrigal, Em Perper, Jeffrey Poirier, Richard Stonebraker, and Jessica Tuel. 

rainbow mask 2020
  • Moved all our support programming to virtual.
  • Facilitated a youth programming evaluation.
  • Helped dozens of LGBTQ+ people in crisis.
  • Added TransTeens Support Program.
  • Added TransPartners Support Program.
  • Launched LGBTQ+ Addiction Recovery Support Group.

Thank you to our board members: Richard Stonebraker, Clare Madrigal, Amilynn Adams, Lisa Algazi Marcus, Nina Carr, Johanna Dolan, Kris Fair, Stephen Parnes, Em Perper, and Jessica Tuel. 

pride flags hanging outside the frederick center 2021
  • Hired our first full-time Executive Director
  • Hired our first full-time Program Coordinator
  • We opened our physical location at 322 W Patrick!
  • Held four vaccine events.
  • Hosted our first in-person events in November.
    • Transgender Day of Remembrance.
    • Little Song, Little Dance.

Thank you to our board members: Richard Stonebraker, Clare Madrigal, Amilynn Adams, Peter Brehm, Johanna Dolan, and Jessica Tuel.

Frederick Center icon 2022

Thank you to our board members: Johanna Dolan, Amilynn Adams, Clare Madrigal, Peter Brehm, Bastian Browning, Wil Graham, and Jessica Tuel. 

A center built by LGBTQ+ people, for LGBTQ+ people.

The Frederick Center has grown because thousands of supporters give their time and financial support – we could not do it without your help!