Serving growing families in Baltimore for over 20 years will offer quite a bit of perspective. As we enter Pride month, we want to share what we’ve learned as we’ve walked alongside clients from all sides of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Inclusive support matters.
We know all families deserve support that reflects their family’s needs. However, when we make a vague statement like, “all are welcome,” we do a poor job of being truly inclusive. The support families recieve must be bold, truthful, and unapologetic. The truth of the matter is that LGBTQIA+ families face different challenges when growing their families than other families. In addition to differing methods, they often face discrimination from many sides. Even all the way to the highest courts in the country. We believe that it’s important not only to say that we’re “inclusive” but to truly be inclusive by honoring the unique struggles our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and beyond clients may face. We know that by honoring the unique struggles they face we’re able to offer more complete support with more positive birth and parenting experiences. Inclusive support matters a lot.
There are resources for LGBTQIA+ families in Baltimore.
Resources do exist in the Baltimore area to offer growing families the support, community, and medical care that they deserve. Here are just a few:
Rainbow Families – DC-based organization that offers resources to prospective parents, new parents, and growing families. They offer in person meetings and resources as well as great information on their website such as diverse reading lists and recomendations.
The Pride Center of Maryland – a longstanding nonprofit offering programs, services, meetings, and other resources to support the health, connection, and community across Maryland. While they have limited offerings that are family-specific, they’re a great resource for parents (who are still people!).
Baltimore Community Midwives – a queer-owned midwifery practice that offers support for births, gender-affirming care, preventative care, and birth control. LGBTQAI+ families deserve care that celebrates who they are with no reservations!
We’re so grateful to have inclusive and incredible spaces, providers, and people that we can offer to our families.
We can all strive to be better allies each and every day.
No matter who you are, we can all make efforts every day to become stronger and better allies for our LGBTQIA+ friends and neighbors. Little efforts, like sharing your pronouns when meeting someone, can create safety within ourselves. Larger efforts, like speaking up when we hear bigotry and hatred or educating ourselves on the issues facing these communities today, add up to a more beautiful and bright future.
Baltimore is and will always be stronger when all families feel seen and supported. Today and every day, we stand with our LGBTQIA+ community members in solidarity and love.
Happy Pride!
