LGBTQ Non-Government Organizations in Maryland

Founded in Leonardtown, MD in 2018 and renamed PFLAG Southern Maryland in 2023, this volunteer-driven organization has become a cornerstone of support for LGBTQ+ families across three counties. What distinguishes PFLAG Southern Maryland is its deep commitment to grassroots engagement—the entire chapter is run by dedicated volunteers from the local community who understand the unique needs and challenges facing families in this region. The organization recognizes that support takes many forms: monthly social events and peer-to-peer groups provide opportunities for families to find community and validation, while educational initiatives help transform understanding throughout Leonardtown and Southern Maryland. By collaborating with local institutions and maintaining an active presence at community events, PFLAG Southern Maryland ensures that LGBTQ+ families don't feel isolated or unsupported. The chapter's advocacy work reflects a belief that systemic change matters—working with local government, businesses, healthcare providers, and schools to build more inclusive policies and practices. For families in Southern Maryland seeking connection, information, and allies who understand their experiences, PFLAG Southern Maryland represents a welcoming community built on lived experience and genuine commitment to inclusion.

For over fifty years, PFLAG Columbia-Howard County has served as the extended family of the LGBTQ+ community, connecting parents, families, friends, and allies with those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+. Based in Columbia, MD, this all-volunteer chapter embodies PFLAG's founding mission: to build loving families united with LGBTQ+ people and allies who support one another while advocating until all hearts and minds respect, value, and affirm LGBTQ+ people. What began as a single letter of support has grown into a movement of millions, and PFLAG Columbia-Howard County carries forward this legacy by fostering dialogue, providing resources, and creating spaces where diverse families thrive. The chapter's leadership team, guided by values of integrity, pride, and community, believes that diversity is gained through mutual respect and trust. Members work together across generations to address critical issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, from safe and welcoming schools to workplace equality, family rights, and marriage equality. In the Columbia, MD area, PFLAG volunteers dedicate themselves to continuous learning, community engagement, and coalition-building to advance policy and systemic change. The organization measures itself by its words and actions, actively reaching out to build inclusive relationships with diverse communities. For families navigating questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, or for individuals seeking to become advocates for change, PFLAG Columbia-Howard County represents a compassionate, long-standing community presence rooted in the belief that all people deserve to be respected, valued, and affirmed.

PFLAG Chestertown, also known as PFLAG Mid-Shore, is a grassroots community organization dedicated to ensuring that all LGBTQ+ individuals are valued by society and take pride in themselves. Born from a 2011 community effort to support marriage equality, the chapter has grown into a vital resource for families across the Chestertown, MD area who are navigating their journeys with LGBTQ+ loved ones. The organization's mission centers on three core pillars: providing peer-to-peer support that connects families facing similar experiences, educating the broader community about LGBTQ+ issues and concerns, and advocating for inclusive policies and laws that protect and empower LGBTQ+ people. What sets PFLAG Chestertown apart is its dual commitment to both grassroots community support and strategic advocacy work. Members work collaboratively at the local level to help families navigate schools and support systems, while simultaneously engaging in state-level efforts to combat discriminatory legislation and expand legal protections. Founded on the belief that family voices matter, PFLAG Chestertown amplifies the perspectives of parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family members who stand in solidarity with their LGBTQ+ loved ones. The chapter operates with accountability and transparency, holding itself responsible for meaningful action and clear communication. By connecting individuals with resources, fostering supportive relationships, and fighting for systemic change, PFLAG Chestertown embodies its core message: that every person deserves to be safe, celebrated, and loved for who they are.