Free To Be Program Starts In January For Harford County LGBTQ+ Teens

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A new program supporting LGBTQ+ teens in Harford County will launch in January 2023. The Free to Be program offers monthly gatherings on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the county health department’s Bel Air location at 120 S. Hays Street.

Free to Be will be supervised by Harford County Health Department staff and volunteers open to teens ages 12 to 17. It's designed to find help them find support, guidance and a sense of community.

Free to Be is participant-led. Individuals must register to attend. The first meeting will be held Jan. 6.

“It is important to give teens a place to go, where they will find like-minded individuals and feel like they belong,” said Julie Stancliff, medical director of behavioral health for the Harford County Health Department. “We are excited to be hosting Free to Be to give teens an affirming space where they can feel comfortable and share their feelings.”

“Inclusivity is the cornerstone of this program. When Free to Be participants come to these meetings, they know that they will be accepted, respected and valued,” added program volunteer Carla Mattioli.

For more information about Free to Be and to register, visit https://harfordcountyhealth.com/free-to-be.