FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Frederick, MD – Frederick’s very first Pagan Pride Day will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick. People of all ages and spiritual backgrounds are welcome. The event will include information booths, workshops, live music, vendors and other activities celebrating the Autumn Equinox, a time of thanksgiving in many Pagan traditions. An item of non-perishable food will be accepted as admission and donated to The Foodbank Program operated by the Frederick Community Action Agency.

The International Pagan Pride Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of prejudice and religious discrimination through education, activism, charity and community. Pagan Pride celebrations are held annually around the world within two weeks of the Autumn Equinox. In 2013, there were 98 Pagan Pride events across the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Rome and Austria. 2013 event attendance was 65,717: an increase in attendance by over 20,000 when compared to 2012. The events collected a total of 39,962.80 pounds of nonperishable food.

The food drive gives participants a way to share with those who are less fortunate while making a positive statement about Paganism. For decades Pagans have been wrongly accused of practicing devil-worship and performing “black magic.” In reality most Pagans enjoy a religion emphasizing respect for nature, humanity, and oneself. Modern Paganism, or Neo-Paganism, is a growing religious movement based on combinations of ancient polytheism, modern eco-spirituality, and reverence for the Divine as both masculine and feminine.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick is located at 4880 Elmer Derr Road. Frederick Pagan Pride is hosted by Frederick CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans). For more information about the event or about Pagan religions, email Irene Glasse at frederickpaganpride@gmail.com. Additional information regarding Pagan Pride Day is located at https://www.facebook.com/FrederickPaganPride.