It was a night of laughter, inspiration, and recognition, as more than 50 friends, family, and community members met at the Baltimore Eagle on Tuesday, May 16th to celebrate National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day.

The evening, hosted by the LGBT Health Resource Center of Chase Brexton Health Care (LHRC) and emceed by artist Rahne Alexander, featured community leaders sharing inspirational stories of an LGBTQ elder who made a difference in their life. Speakers included:

Catherine Hyde of PFLAG Howard County, honoring Colette Roberts; Felicia French of the Department of Aging [retired], honoring Doris Corbett; Nancy West of the Faith Communities with Pride, honoring Charles Blackburn; Carrietta Heirs, honoring Wannetta Trotter; Peter Dayton, Mr. Maryland Leather 2017, (via video message), honoring Mike McDonnell; Merrick Moses, from the Office of the State’s Attorney, honoring Carlton Smith; and Dave Spellman, a selected audience member, honoring Rik Newton-Treadway.

Afterwards, honorees were pinned with a special commemorative Elders Day pin. The program concluded with the unveiling of the 2017 Elders Day banner, created by Xander Dumas and Elliot Moonchild of the Dandy Vagabonds. Audience members were encouraged to place pins on the banner in honor of an LGBT elder that made a contribution to their lives. The banner will be on permanent display at the LHRC (1111 North Charles Street, 2nd floor).

Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is a national day to draw awareness to and appreciation of the lifetime of contributions made by LGBT older adults. The gains made each year in LGBT rights and equality sit squarely on the backs of those who fought and lived through large and small victories in order to be their true selves. Honor Our LGBT Elders Day works to unite the LGBTQ community and its allies to celebrate and thank those individuals who fought on behalf of us all. For more information, please visit Elder.lgbt.

National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day 2017 was sponsored by Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE); the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation; the Leonard & Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation; AARP Maryland; PNC Bank; Heartlands Assisted Living at Severna Park; and the Baltimore Eagle.