Proud and Prepared

Apparently there are some folks in Carroll County who think that a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon in May is to drive to Howard County and disturb Target shoppers. 

Image credit Moms 4 Liberty Carroll County

If you are wondering why they are coming all the way to Howard County, I can’t explain that. There is a Target in Westminster and it looks like they may have been there already. Their visit appears to have been covered with great interest by the Carroll County Observer website, which is what the former HoCo social media maven ScottEBlog is doing in his retirement.

No comment.

I guess those Carroll County Moms are just not finished harassing Target yet. Who knows where they will be next weekend? Their “outrage du jour” is claiming that selling Pride apparel is a blatant attempt to “groom” children to be LGBTQ+. Of course, that’s not what grooming means and there’s no scientific evidence of any sort that shirts or signs or rainbows can influence gender or sexuality.

Truth? Who cares about that?

I can’t say that their Howard County “event” was very successful, though. When I drove into the parking lot in front of Target yesterday afternoon they were nowhere to be seen. I did spy some brightly colored counter-protestors assembled just off of Target property with rainbow flags and signs affirming LGBTQ+ Pride and rejecting hate in HoCo. It was a respectable sized group - - a dozen or more? - - and I went over to say hi before doing my shopping.

They were a friendly group, mostly women, it seemed to me. I explained my unaccountable urge to buy a new Pride shirt at that particular time and in that particular location and it was agreed all around that spending some money on Pride apparel and merch seemed like a very good idea under the circumstances. And so off I went.

It looked like there might have been a few extra Target employees by the door keeping an eye on the situation, just in case. But they could have been the usual greeters for a busy Saturday afternoon, Memorial Day weekend shopping. I was going to ask them where the Pride section was located but I didn’t need to. It was right there near the entrance. 

I did manage to find something in my size that I liked and it was on sale. I was disappointed that there wasn’t more to choose from but I think this may be because you all have been out there shopping before me. If so, good for you. This would reaffirm my concept of Columbia/HoCo as a welcoming community. (More or less. YMMV)

When I went back to show my purchase to the group on the sidewalk I learned that there had been a small contingent present from the Moms 4 Liberty of Carroll County.  But, when Target management asked the protesters to move off Target property, they retreated to the parking lot and then went to lunch at McDonald’s. 

I don’t know what occurred after I left but I have seen no indication that their hateful messages gained any traction at the Target in Ellicott City. A tip of the hat to the counter protestors who turned up without a good deal of notice to bear witness to love and acceptance in Howard County.

So, with that introduction, let’s talk about this year’s Pride observances and celebrations in Columbia/HoCo. The County Executive will mark the beginning of Pride on June 1st at 9:30 am with a flag raising ceremony at the George Howard Building, beginning at 9:30 am.

Old Ellicott City will be celebrating Pride with a festival weekend on June 3rd and 4th. You can learn more about what will be happening at the Visit Old Ellicott City website.

Howard County Pride is hosting an Open Mic Night at Busboys and Poets in Columbia on June 2nd from 8-10 pm. Tickets are ten dollars in advance, fifteen at the door. This is a fundraiser for Howard County’s official Pride Festival which will take place in October in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Get tickets here.

HCPSS Pride is holding its first ever Pride Prom for high school students on June 10th at The Harriet Tubman Center. Tickets and more information are available at HCPSS Pride. This event is specifically for students but you can participate by making a donation to fund the event. Details at the website.

The Howard County Library System with be celebrating Pride throughout the month of June with age-appropriate events at their locations throughout the County. They are also running a Rainbow Pride Scavenger Hunt for Kids at the Central Branch all month. 

Drop in event. Allow 20 minutes. Celebrate Pride Month with a LGBTQ-themed scavenger hunt in the Central Branch Children's Area. Complete the checklist and receive a sticker prize!

Trek Ellicott City is hosting a free Pride Ride on June 25th. Click here for a description of the event on how to let them know you will be participating.

That’s all I have for now. Keep me posted if you know of more that I can share here.

I caught this episode of Call To Mind as I was out and about this week. Highly recommended.

Call To Mind: Queer Youth Resilience & Mental Health

I hate to end on this note, but Howard County now has its very own chapter of Moms 4 Liberty and we need to be ready to stand up for the rights of LGBTQ+ children, youth, and families in our community.