Lobby Day – February 2


EQUALITY ROCKS!

Join us on January 31 for an evening of music, food and drink, to benefit Equality Maryland! Click here to find out more.

There is one thing that will affect legislators more than anything else – hearing from constituents! Legislators like to know they have the support of their constituents to act progressively and, in most cases, they are interested in hearing constituents' personal stories. As a "citizen lobbyist," you're not expected to know the ins and outs of a particular bill; you're just expected to speak from your heart. Don't forget how much media attention is paid to this day as well. We need to make sure Marylanders and our elected officials see our strength in numbers! Click here to find out more about Lobby Day or to sign up.


How Do Your Legislators Rate?


Equality Maryland is proud to present our organization's 2008 legislative scorecard. In previous years, Equality Maryland presented the voting records of state legislators on issues relevant to the LGBT community. However, this year marks the first time we have assigned a specific score to our state legislators. Click here to view the 2008 Equality Maryland Legislative Scorecards; to view the executive summary, complete with analytical charts and explanation of methodology, click here.


Equality Maryland Welcomes New Executive Director


On November 13, Equality Maryland announced the appointment of Kate Runyon as its new Executive Director. Ms. Runyon was chosen by the Board of Directors following an extensive national search. She comes to Maryland after a stint as Interim Executive Director at the Triangle Foundation in Michigan, where she led the statewide LGBT civil rights organization through a critical period following the departure of their founding executive director, and after several years serving as a trustee and Chair for the organization's People of Faith and Allies & Diversity Committee. Click here to read the press release.


New Domestic Partner Laws Now In Effect


On July 1st two laws took effect that extend a handful of protections to domestic partners (straight and gay) in Maryland. The first law extends 11 protections to domestic partners in the areas of health care, medical decisions and other related areas (click here to find out more). The second law adds "domestic partners" to the list of family members that a person can add and remove from a Deed to residential property without paying recordation and transfer taxes (click here for more information).

  • Family Spotlight

    Robyn Zeiger and Dori Anne Steele, of Silver Spring, Maryland, have been together 23 years. Because Robyn's employer, the University of Maryland, does not offer domestic partner benefits, family health crises have jeopardized their household stability.

    Learn more about this couple
    Read about other Maryland couples

  • Marylanders of Color Collective

    The Marylanders of Color Collective is an organization of people of color dedicated to engaging in heart-to-heart dialogue about LGBT people of color.

    Learn more about MOCC

  • Pride in Faith

    Pride in Faith is a group of clergy and lay leaders organized to provide a religious voice in support of equality under the law for families headed by same-gender couples in Maryland.

    Learn more about RCCME