Equality Maryland Explained

Equality Maryland
Map:	Map of USA MD.svg
Msize:	225px
Mcaption:	U.S. State of Maryland
Formation:	1990 as Free State Justice 2004 renamed Equality Maryland 2016 Merged with FreeState Legal Project
Location:	Baltimore, Maryland
Key People:	Carrie Evans, executive director
Website:	(successor)

Equality Maryland (EQMD) was a non-profit organization formerly headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, now based in Baltimore. It was at the time, the largest organization in Maryland whose activities focused on advocacy and education with regard to LGBT social and political movements. Its mission included: the passage of laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity; the expansion of Maryland's hate-crimes statute; the increase of domestic partner benefits; the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Maryland and laws banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors. In 2016, the organization merged with FreeState Legal Project,^[1] to form FreeState Justice.

Structure

The organization began operations in 1990 under the name of Free State Justice, inspired by the Baltimore Justice Campaign that organized the successful amendment to the city's human rights law for gays and lesbians in 1988. The organization was renamed Equality Maryland in 2004. Equality Maryland has three divisions, which share offices, staff, and other resources: two non-profit organizations, each of which has its own mission and board of directors, and a related political action committee.

• Equality Maryland, Inc., is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization focused on direct and grassroots lobbying to pass laws in to further the organization's goals.^[2]
• Equality Maryland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) educational organization whose activities focus on outreach, education, research, community organizing, training, and coalition building.
• Equality PAC is a political action committee which supports pro-LGBT candidates.

The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.^[3]

Achievements

2000-2009

• In 2001, EQMD achieved a legislative victory with the passage of the Maryland Anti-Discrimination Act, which banned discrimination in Maryland on the basis of sexual orientation in the areas of housing, employment, lending, and public accommodations. In 2002, the organization succeeded in securing the passage of a Baltimore City ordinance banning discrimination against individuals based on gender identity and expression. One of its primary goals has been the passage of a law prohibiting this kind of discrimination statewide; in 2007, such a bill was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly, but was defeated in a Senate committee.^[4]
• In 2004, EQMD devoted resources toward the legal recognition of same-sex relationships. In partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union, it filed a lawsuit (Conaway v. Deane & Polyak) on behalf of nine couples and a widower to overturn the state ban on same-sex marriage.^[5] After a victory for plaintiffs in January 2006, the Maryland State's Attorney appealed the decision.^[6] The Maryland Court of Appeals heard the case in December 2006; and in September 2007 it was overturned, leaving the statutory ban on same-sex marriage in place (see Same-sex marriage in Maryland).^{[7] [8]}
• In 2005, the Maryland General Assembly passed two Equality Maryland-backed bills, which would afford unmarried opposite-sex and same-sex couples health care decision-making powers and hospital visiting rights involving their domestic partners, but the bills were vetoed by then-Governor Robert Ehrlich.^{[9] [10]}
• In 2007, EQMD launched a statewide visibility campaign, Marylanders For Marriage, to increase public support for same-sex marriage.^{[11] [12]} The campaign, featuring the motto "Civil Marriage is a Civil Right," included the launch of a website, promotion at gay pride festivals and other events, and the distribution of yard signs and bumper stickers across the state.^{[12] [13]}
• In December 2009, EQMD prevented the implementation of a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration policy that would have required transgender Marylanders to amend their birth certificates in order to update the gender section of their driver's licenses. Making such a change to a driver's license would have then required going through the court system and having undergone genital reconstruction procedures, which LGBT advocates have said "creates significant barriers for individuals to obtain accurate identification reflecting the way they live."^[14]

2010 – present

• In 2010, EQMD's field team volunteers identified over 10,000 new supporters of gender identity anti-discrimination protections and same-sex marriage throughout the state,^[15] and its 2010 election cycle campaign helped to increase LGBT representation in the state legislature, electing seven openly LGBT Delegates and Senators, and 73 of their 81 endorsed candidates.^[16] Throughout 2010, EQMD increased its grassroots efforts with the launch of action teams across six counties, eventually leading to advances in LGBT rights and protections never before seen in Maryland's history.^[17]
• In January 2011, EQMD and LGBT rights supporters helped to introduce a same-sex marriage bill^[18] for which the governor expressed his support.^[19] In February 2011, the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act" was approved, 25–21, in the Maryland Senate,^[20] but later failed to be voted on in the House of Delegates.^[21]
• In January 2012, EQMD heightened its efforts to legalize same-sex marriage by joining a diverse coalition of supporters including Governor Martin O'Malley, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Progressive Maryland, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU of Maryland, Marylanders for Marriage Equality, and church leaders.^{[22] [23]}
• In February 2012, the Maryland General Assembly approved the Civil Marriage Protection Act, and Governor O'Malley signed it into law on March 1, 2012. This new bill included more explicit legal protections for religious institutions, individuals and their programs.^{[24] [25] [26]}
• In March 2012, a poll commissioned by Marylanders for Marriage Equality, of which EQMD is a part, and conducted by Public Policy Polling, found that 52% of Maryland voters would "probably" or "definitely" vote in favor of the same-sex marriage bill if it is on the ballot in November; while 44% of Maryland voters would "probably" or "definitely" oppose it.^[27]

Publications

• Heart of the Matter: Maryland's Same-Sex Couples Seek Justice for their Families^[28]
• Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective on Same-Gender Marriage^[29]
• Marriage Inequality in the State of Maryland^[30]
• What's In a Word? A Religious Perspective on Civil Marriage Equality^[31]

See also

• LGBT rights in Maryland
• Same-sex marriage in Maryland
• Respect for Marriage Act
• List of LGBT rights organizations

External links

• Equality Maryland website
• Maryland Black Family Alliance
• Religious Coalition for Civil Marriage Equality

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lavers . Michael K. . 2016-01-06 . FreeState Legal, Equality Maryland to merge . 2024-04-17 . www.washingtonblade.com . en-US.
2. http://www.equalitymaryland.org/about About Equality Maryland
3. Web site: Member Organizations . Equality Federation . January 14, 2014.
4. News: Transgender discrimination bill defeated in Maryland . Metro Weekly . Sean Bugg . March 29, 2007 . August 30, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231200/http://www.metroweekly.com/gauge/?ak=2618 . September 26, 2007 .
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/19/magazine/19ANTIGAY.html?pagewanted=4&ei=5088&en=4c5270379a52338c&ex=1276920000&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss What's Their Real Problem With Gay Marriage?
6. Web site: Hagerty. Barbara Bradley. Maryland Judge Rejects Gay-Marriage Ban. NPR.org . National Public Radio. February 10, 2012.
7. http://www.courts.state.md.us/coappeals/highlightedcases/index.html Conaway, et al. v. Deane, et al.
8. News: Rich. Eric. Maryland High Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban. February 10, 2012. The Washington Post. September 2007.
9. News: Dao. James. Partners Bill Is Vetoed by Governor in Maryland. February 10, 2012. The New York Times. May 21, 2005.
10. News: State of Mind: Dan Furmansky and Equality Maryland's growing fight for the state's gay and lesbian community . Metro Weekly. Sean Bugg . May 18, 2006 . March 16, 2008 .
11. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2007/06/waiting_for_the_samesex_marria.html Waiting for the Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
12. Web site: Maryland: Ripe for Marriage Equality. eQualityGiving.org. Dan Furmansky. February 10, 2012.
13. Web site: Our History. First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. In 2007, the church hung a banner proclaiming Civil Marriage is a Civil Right from [the] columns of its portico as a [testament] to its commitment to equal rights for all. The message was adopted for GLBT rights group, Equality Maryland and now appears on signs and bumper stickers across the state. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120208092641/http://www.firstunitarian.net/index.php/about-us/our-history. February 8, 2012. February 10, 2012.
14. Web site: Maryland DMV Halts Dangerous Policy Change. pflag.org. February 23, 2012.
15. Web site: Najafi . Yusef . Equality Maryland Executive Director Leaving, Says "Not My Choice to Leave" . Metro Weekly . February 21, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120119121306/http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/04/equality-maryland-executive-di.html . January 19, 2012 .
16. Web site: Chibbaro, Jr. Lou. 10 LGBT candidates running in Maryland. 9 September 2010 . The Washington Blade. February 21, 2012.
17. Web site: Our Successes . EqualityMaryland.org . February 21, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120214042551/http://www.equalitymaryland.org/about/successes . February 14, 2012 .
18. News: Linskey. Annie. Gay Marriage bill to be introduced by legislators. February 21, 2012. The Baltimore Sun. January 13, 2011.
19. News: O'Malley suggests he would sign gay marriage bill. February 21, 2012. The Washington Post. September 2010.
20. Web site: MD Senate Passes Marriage Bill. 24 February 2011 . The Washington Blade. February 9, 2012.
21. News: Maryland House kills same-sex marriage bill for this year. February 9, 2012. The Washington Post.
22. Web site: 1199 MD/DC Stands with Labor to Support Marriage Equality in Maryland. 1199seiu.org United Healthcare Workers East. February 21, 2012.
23. Web site: Maryland House of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality Bill . MarylandersforMarriageEquality.org . February 21, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220231453/http://marylandersformarriageequality.org/news/entry/maryland-house-of-delegates-passes-marriage-equality-bill . February 20, 2012 .
24. https://web.archive.org/web/20181203030433/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/cardinal-obrien-says-md-gay-marriage-vote-threatens-families-will-work-to-overturn-law/2012/02/24/gIQA73yjXR_story.html Md. gay marriage bill to become law Thursday afternoon, opponents begin referendum effort
25. News: Duncan. Ian. Maryland Senate approves gay marriage bill. February 23, 2012. The LA Times. February 23, 2012.
26. News: Grindley . Lucas . Last-Minute Win: Maryland House Passes Marriage . February 18, 2012 . . February 17, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220013754/http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2012/02/17/LAST_MINUTE_WIN_MARYLAND_HOUSE_PASSES_MARRIAGE/ . February 20, 2012 .
27. News: The Baltimore Sun. Poll shows slim majority supports gay marriage in Md. Annie Linskey. March 8, 2012 . March 9, 2012 .
28. Web site: Heart of the Matter: Maryland's Same-Sex Couples Seek Justice for their Families. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/dOeadneO9MA . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. June 9, 2012.
29. Web site: Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective on Same-Gender Marriage . Equality Maryland . June 9, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120721121926/http://equalitymaryland.org/uploads/4462/original/jumping_the_broom.pdf . July 21, 2012 .
30. http://www.equalitymaryland.org/uploads/4459/original/marriage_inequality_in_maryland.pdf Marriage Inequality in the State of Maryland
31. Web site: What's In a Word? A Religious Perspective on Civil Marriage Equality . Equality Maryland . June 9, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120721194313/http://equalitymaryland.org/uploads/4461/original/whats_in_a_word.pdf . July 21, 2012 .