Top Features for Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore is located in Maryland and has a long history of being an essential seaport. Fort McHenry, where the U.S. national anthem was created, is on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Nowadays, this harbor area is a destination where you can find shops, crab shacks, and attractions. These attractions include the Civil War-era warship, the USS Constellation, and the National Aquarium, which features many marine creatures.
Facts
Here are some other attractions that Baltimore is famous for:
- Baltimore Museum of Art.
- Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum.
- Fells Point Historic District.
Fun Facts
- The first umbrella factory in the nation was opened in Baltimore in 1828.
- In 1774, the first post office system in the U.S. was established in this city.
- The first dental school worldwide was founded in 1840 in Baltimore.
- The HBO hit series The Wire was set and produced in Baltimore.
- Hairspray, a famous musical, was set in Baltimore.
History/Data
The first inhabitants of the state of Maryland were the Paleo-Indians. They lived on the land more than 10,000 years ago from other parts of North America to hunt various animals like mammoths, great bison, and caribou.
Baltimore was officially established in 1729, named after the Irish barony of Baltimore. Also, the city was built as a port for shipping tobacco, grain, and soon after, local waterways were harnessed for flour milling.
In 2019, it was reported that the population of Baltimore was 609,032 residents.
LGBTQ+ Facts
LGBTQ+ culture in Baltimore is an integral part of the city’s culture. Mount Vernon, aka Baltimore’s gay village, is the central location for the city’s LGBTQ+ communities.
In addition, Baltimore Pride is one of the longest-running gay pride celebrations in the nation. In 2019, this event celebrated its 44th anniversary. Pride weekend in Baltimore is held in June, and the first day involves the Baltimore Pride parade in Charles Village and the Baltimore Pride Block Party in Station North. The second day features the Baltimore Pride Festival at Druid Hill Park.
In addition, during the 70s, Mount Vernon turned into a gay village in Baltimore as the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore (GLCCB) was established in 1977. Now, this center is known as the Pride Center of Maryland.
While Baltimore historically has a vibrant lesbian nightlife scene, most lesbian bars and clubs have shut down throughout the years. In 2016, there were only two lesbian bars left: Sappho’s at Grand Central and The Attic in Mount Vernon. Sadly, Grand Central closed in 2020, with The Attic remaining as the only lesbian nightclub in Baltimore. This lounge and dining room is located in the upstairs of the Flavor bar in Mount Vernon is open on weekends and popular amongst the community.
One famous LGBTQ+ celebrity that hailed from Baltimore is renowned filmmaker John Waters. His cult films are iconic, like the exploitation comedy film Pink Flamingos, which starred drag queen Divine. As an openly gay man, Waters is a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and pride.
Also, in 2019, the Baltimore City Council unanimously voted to pass a policy allowing transgender students to use their names and pronouns and restrooms in line with a person’s gender identity.
Mental Health in Baltimore, Maryland
According to SAMHSA, 6.7 percent (129,000) of adults ages 18 or older in the Baltimore-Towson MSA, 6.7 percent (129,000 adults) experienced a major depressive episode over the past year. This rate ended up being higher than the rate in Maryland overall (5.5 percent).
If you know a child struggling with their mental health in the Baltimore area, be sure to check out our listings at LGBTQ and All. In addition, our database has a list of all the most qualified mental health professionals in the Baltimore area that specialize in treating children and youth.