Our History

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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. 

• Hired our first full-time Executive Director
• Hired our first full-time Program Director
• 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.

• Be part of the TFC journey! Join TFC efforts

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