Celebrating Freedom and Fighting Back!

Dana Jones
Jun 19
8 min read

Updated: Sep 5

June 20th, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

NO KINGS in Annapolis!

Last weekend, I was honored to speak at the #NoKings rally in Annapolis, where capital police estimate over 2,300 people came together - peacefully, powerfully - to make their voices heard.

Peaceful protest is not just our right - it’s our legacy. It’s how women won the right to vote. It’s how the civil rights movement transformed a nation. It’s how our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters fought for dignity and equality. It’s how we protect and expand democracy.

What makes America great is the courage of its people to speak out, to show up, and to demand better.

Thank you to the organizers, the community, and every single person who stood tall in our state capital. The fight continues—and we are not backing down. The energy was electric. The message was clear. And the movement is growing.

Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival!

❤️💚Happy Juneteenth!! 🖤💛As we observe and enter a weekend of celebration and festivities, I am incredibly honored to partner again this year with Annapolis Juneteenth organizers to provide children’s books to the Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival! I want to thank all those who participated in my annual book drive making it another successful year! 📚 For the 3rd year running, the books from my drive will go to the Children's Village at the festival where children can come, read, and take their favorite books home. 🎉 Don't miss out this weekend! The 5th Annual Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival is this Saturday and Sunday. Saturday morning, the parade will take place in downtown Annapolis. After the parade, plan to head up to the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds for two days of music, food, celebration and.... books!! Looking forward to seeing you there. 🩵

For the most up to date event details regarding dates and times, please visit the officialAnnapolis Juneteenth website.

Friday, June 20

VIP Gala Awards Dinner (FSC Grand Catering) | 20 N. Langley Rd

An elegant white tie VIP dinner honoring community trailblazer, delighting in exquisite soul cuisine, with an enthralling dance routine, and grooving to the rhythm of a live band all at FSC Grand Catering.

Saturday, June 21

Annapolis Juneteenth Parade

The parade starts at 11 am off of St. John’s College and winds its way through Downtown Annapolis to Amos Garrett Boulevard.

Annapolis Juneteenth Festival | 1450 General’s Highway, Crownsville, Maryland

After the Parade, head over to the Anne Arundel County Fair (1450 General’s Highway, Crownsville) for the festival from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM, featuring delicious food, fun games, live performances by international and local artists, exhibits, vendors, a Children’s Village, and fireworks.

Sunday, June 22

Annapolis Juneteenth Festival | 1450 General’s Highway, Crownsville, Maryland

From 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the same fairgrounds, with even more entertainment and activities!

Federal Worker Emergency Loan Program

This past session, I was a proud supporter and co-sponsor of the The Protect Our Federal Workers Act. This legislation is vital because it is a clear way that we can fight back in support of the Maryland pubic servants who have been wrongfully terminated from their federal employment. Not only did this legislation provide the structure Maryland needed to fight terminations, but it also established much needed relief for those impacted.

To support eligible former federal employees who reside in Maryland, this month the MD Department of Labor has opened a new online application portal for applicants to apply for an emergency no-interest loan.

This program provides a $700 no-interest loan, to be paid back after 180 days, with a possible 90-day extension. To be eligible, applicants should be a (1) Maryland resident; (2) terminated from federal employment due to mass layoff, relocation, closure of a unit of federal government, or similar circumstance; (3) terminated within the past six months, and on or after Jan. 1, 2025; and (4) experiencing financial hardship.

A link to the application is available through our federal worker support page at https://labor.maryland.gov/federalworkers/. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office if I can be of assistance to you while applying to this program.

Bands in the Sand

My husband and I were proud again this year to be VIP sponsors of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation annual Bands in the Sand.

Each summer, 1,600 guests gather on the beach, dance to live music, and raise a drink to save the Bay.

Their attendance and support directly fuels CBF’s mission. Saving the Bay through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration.

I’m grateful to CBF, Hilary Harp Falk, all the sponsors, especially founding sponsor - Boatyard Bar & Grill Dick Franyo and title sponsor Annapolis Subaru

Sing up for CBF newsletter and more here: https://www.cbf.org/index.html

State Disaster Recovery in Action

I’m grateful to Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management- MDEM for their swift work in delivering relief to Allegany County. I’m especially proud that the State Disaster Recovery Fund, established through my 2023 legislation, has been used for the first time to provide this funding.

I introduced this legislation in response to the 2021 tornadoes that impacted the Parole community in Annapolis. Recovery efforts were slowed by the lack of funding available for localized disasters. That experience made clear the urgent need for a reliable and responsive disaster recovery fund.

As climate change continues to drive more frequent and severe weather events, it’s critical that Maryland remains prepared to provide immediate support. I know first hand the hardships so many are facing in Allegany, where I was raised and my parents live. I am encouraged to see the SDRF being used to help those in who are in need, and I remain committed to ensuring it is fully and sustainably funded moving forward.

Pride Month at AACPL

Join Anne Arundel County Public Library in celebrating Pride Month, where they celebrate the stories, identities and experiences that make our community vibrant and whole. Where they honor the struggles, triumphs and contributions of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, nonbinary and other nonconforming genders and identities.

AACPL embraces the LGBTQIA+ community by cultivating inclusivity and promoting diversity, making their libraries welcoming to all. Check out our LGBTQIA+ literature, endless free resources, programs and events.

From booklists to art shows, film screenings to storytimes, there’s something for every age and interest. Together, we celebrate Pride as a reflection of our shared commitment to equity, acceptance and joy.

Reading is a powerful way to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. We offer a diverse collection of books and resources that explore LGBTQIA+ themes, uplift queer voices and provide meaningful insight into the community’s history and experiences. From fiction and memoirs to poetry and graphic novels, these stories foster empathy and understanding. For those seeking to learn more, our online databases offer access to scholarly articles, informational texts and primary sources—perfect for personal discovery, research or advocacy.

To celebrate Pride Month, we’ve curated special booklists and engaging in-library displays highlighting powerful works by LGBTQIA+ authors and stories that reflect the richness and diversity of the queer experience. We cover everything from heartfelt romances, coming-of-age journeys, historical narratives, thought-provoking essays and so much more. You'll be sure to find titles that inform, inspire and affirm.

Start exploring today—choose your next read from our thoughtfully selected Pride Month booklists and discover the many voices that make up the LGBTQ+ community.

Check out or booklists for kids, young adults and adults, as well as booklists featuring transgender and nonbinary voices and stories and queer horror.

Download books by LGBTQ+ authors in eBook and eAudiobook formats to enjoy instantly using Overdrive/Libby.

Looking for more books written by LGBTQ+ authors? Use NoveList’s “Advanced Search” feature to generate a list of books by authors with specific identities.

Learn about the Stonewall Riots and other influential moments in LGBTQIA+ history by using our Diversity Studies, Gender Studies and Opposing Viewpoints databases through Gale.

Watch films for Pride Month through Kanopy—free streaming with your library card!

June is Pride Month, and we’re celebrating with a vibrant lineup of events that honor love, identity, creativity and community. Kick things off at the Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, May 31 from 11 am–5pm at Maryland Hall—and don’t forget to give us a wave if you see us in the parade! As of 5/30/2025, the Pride Parade and Festival has been postponed. For a list of events that are still being held by Annapolis Pride, please visit their events page.

Throughout June, catch the Pride Film Fest Series every Tuesday evening at the Riviera Beach Library, featuring award-winning, critically acclaimed films that celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories. Families are invited to Rainbow Storytimes, where we’ll share books that highlight LGBTQIA+ families along with songs, dance and a colorful craft. For those who love a challenge, head to the Severn Library on June 4 for our Pride Escape Room, where you’ll solve puzzles and uncover LGBTQIA+ history to break free.

Feeling creative? Explore our Pride Month arts and crafts programs, including Mark Art – Pride Month at Maryland City at Russett Library, where you’ll learn about LGBTQIA+ artists and create your own inspired masterpiece; a Pride Crafternoon full of rainbow-themed projects; and Show Your Colors: Design Your Own Pride Flag at Severn Library, where you’ll discover the history of the Pride flag and design one that reflects your identity. Become a part of our art exhibit by participating in our Share Your Story with Pride Art Show. Submit a piece you've been working on independently or come to one of our art programs and use our supplies to create a piece to submit. Reception will be on June 24 at the Odenton Library, and Gallery Hours will be open on select dates from June 26 to July 30.

Rev up your rainbow spirit and swing by for Park and Pride—where fabulous, decked-out cars meet fabulous, decked-out people! Come check out the colorful rides, soak up the Pride vibes and celebrate in style!

Make sure your needs are met with important events like Gender Affirming Clothes Swap and Healthcare and Intersectionality with FreeState Justice. Celebrate with us all month long—there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

AACPL is proud to support the LGBTQIA+ Community and we stand firmly for the right to free and open access to information. In September of 2024, we declared ourselves a Book Sanctuary, meaning the freedom to read is fiercely protected and books are defended against censorship, bans and other challenges. Our collection includes books, online databases and access to community resources that cover LGBTQ+ related topics, such as coming out, mental health, LGBTQ+ history and gender identity. Our compassionate librarians are trained to provide a safe and understanding space for those seeking information or guidance, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and supported.

In a time when resources for LGBTQIA+ have become scarce, we recognized the need for community services and hotlines. We've updated our LGBTQIA+ Resources page with active services and hotlines.

Pride Month is more than a celebration—it's a commitment to visibility, understanding, and belonging for all. We invite you to explore the powerful stories, creative expressions and supportive resources that uplift the LGBTQIA+ community not just in June, but year-round. Whether you're attending an event, discovering a new book or finding the support you need, know that you are seen, valued and welcome here. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present and help build a future where everyone can live with pride.

You can follow me on Facebook, Bluesky, X, and Instagram to learn about volunteer opportunities, community resources, legislative updates and much more. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact my office by email at Dana.Jones@house.state.md.us or by phone at 410-841-3211.

Stay safe and healthy,

Delegate Dana Jones

District 30A, Annapolis & Anne Arundel County