06-11-2023 Capital Style - Flipbook - Page 30
Best of Anne Arundel
PERSONALITIES
Joseph Toolan of
Annapolis advocates
for several issues,
including the
environment and
LGBTQ rights.
PHOTO BY BARBARA
HADDOCK TAYLOR
30
BEST ACTIVIST
Joseph Toolan
For Joseph Toolan, 26, participating and leading
organizations within the community is important
because growing up he didn’t see people that looked
like him doing things like that.
“I didn’t see people of color or queer people leading
in the spaces that I’m in now, so continuing to represent and show others what’s possible is important to
me.”
He grew up in Pasadena but has been living in
Annapolis for the past 5 years.
Toolan is dedicated to helping on all fronts as
evident through the many roles he fills around the
community. He’s been working with the National Fish
| CAPITAL STYLE | Summer 2023
and Wildlife Foundation since August 2022, chairs the
state of Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and
also Annapolis Pride, whose mission is to advocate for,
empower and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in
Anne Arundel County.
“It’s really great to be in a position where I can continue to uplift and support others who traditionally
haven’t had access to certain spaces,” he said.
Toolan also appreciates the opportunity to talk to
so many people and get to learn their story.
“I feel in a lot of ways getting the chance to learn
about others is the greatest honor and I feel good to
be able to do that,” he said.
