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Tuesday, May 11, 2010


Exciting Progress in the Fight for Equality!


Your support is clearly making a difference!

This morning, the Washington Post released the results of a long-anticipated poll identifying Marylanders' views on marriage equality and out-of-state same-sex marriage recognition.

According to the Post, 48% of registered voters support marriage equality for the LGBT community with 43% in opposition to equal marriage protections.

Even more encouraging is the fact that 55% of registered voters support the Attorney General's opinion on out-of-state same-sex marriage recognition, with only 38% opposing out-of-state recognition.

These numbers confirm what we have known for a while. With hard work and your support we are making a difference in the fight for marriage equality in the Free State of Maryland.

But we still face an uphill battle as long as anti-equality lawmakers like Delegates Emmett Burns and Don Dwyer stand in our way.

The Washington Post article included a quote from Delegate Burns, the lead sponsor of one of the many attacks on equality during this past legislative session.

"The public is not changing - politicians are changing. They get elected and push the gay-lesbian agenda. They are ruthless in aggressively fashioning it as a form of discrimination, and that's simply not accurate."

Our lives are not an agenda. We are simply asking for equal treatment under the law. We need your help to stand up to opponents like Delegate Burns and continue to push for fairness!

Please, join me TODAY in pledging $48 - a dollar for every percentage point of Maryland voters who now support equal marriage rights in the Free State.

The findings of this poll are a huge, public step forward for equality in Maryland. On the heels of the Attorney General's opinion, a clear consensus is building for full marriage equality across the state. We need your help - now more than ever - to win the fight for true and lasting equality.

Yours in the fight,

Morgan Meneses-Sheets
Executive Director

P.S. I am asking you to invest in Equality Maryland. We are working hard to build on this exciting momentum, but that requires the support of every LGBT Marylander and our allies. Our opposition has access to large amounts of funding from the big, national anti-equality groups. Please, help to ensure that we are able to move forward full speed ahead by making a donation TODAY.

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Monday, May 10, 2010


Mr. Smith goes to Washington


Owen Smith, Field Organizer for Gender Equality Issues

As many of you know, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) may be voted on in the House. I had the privilege of representing Equality Maryland at a meeting in DC today to meet with the staff of one of Maryland's representatives.

I want to explain from a very personal place why the protections provided by ENDA and state wide anti discrimination laws are so important.

After looking for a job for over a year, I finally got a job at a local coffee shop in Baltimore City. There were two owners of this shop. One of them was nice and supportive. The other was not. On my first day I told them that I am transgender and that I prefer to be called Owen instead of my legal name. I also told them that I was in the process of going on hormones which would alter my gender appearance.

My co-workers were very supportive and understanding, but it was clear that one of the owners had a noticeable problem with it. He would yell at me more than anyone else on the floor. He would have me do tasks that no one else was ever asked to do. He would give me tasks that involved heavy lifting. I am short and have a pre-existing back injury. I disclosed this to them before working there. When I was not able to do certain tasks because of my back injury, he would make fun of me for not being "enough of a man." He would also refer to me as “it” and yell at me in front of consumers by calling me girly and dainty. After being asked to carry over 80 lbs of milk, he physically shoved me and said I would always be a woman because I wasn't strong enough.

I would love to believe that this is something that only happened to me, that is was a fluke, but I hear stories like these everyday from people throughout Maryland - not just from transgender people but also those who do not confirm with gender stereotypes.

Maryland is fortunate to have strong protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Montgomery county and Baltimore city also protect Marylanders based on gender identity. But it is essential that every person be treated equally under the law. This is about more than labor law or employment protections this is the basic right we have as Americans for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

TAKE ACTION TODAY! Do your part to help support ENDA!

Call your representative TODAY to urge them to support fair treatment under the law for all Marylanders!

  • District 1, Congressman Kratovil: 202-225-3121
  • District 2, Congressman Ruppersberger: 202-225-3061
  • District 3, Congressman Sarbanes: 202-225-4016
  • District 4, Congresswoman Edwards: 202-225-6105
  • District 5, Congressman Hoyer: 202-225-4131
  • District 6, Congressman Bartlett: 202-225-2721
  • District 7, Congressman Cummings: 202-225-4741
  • District 8, Congressman VanHollen: 202-225-5341

Not sure who represents you? Click here: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml.

Here's a sample call script:

"My name is _____ and I live at (give your street address) in (give your city/town) in the second congressional district. I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017) to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. This bill needs to be voted on NOW and Representative ______'s vote is crucial. Please encourage him/her also to oppose any motion to recommit, particularly one that strips or weakens protections for transgender individuals. Thank you for your time."

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Tuesday, May 4, 2010


EQMD volunteers out in force to kick off the 2010 election cycle!


Last week Equality Maryland had volunteers from all over the state head out to Governor O’Malley’s re-election campaign kick-off events to demonstrate that LGBT families are paying attention to the upcoming elections. From Maugansville in Western Maryland to Cambridge on the Shore, folks got a chance to speak with the Governor and share the message of equality in the Free State.

Here are some of their stories and pictures from the events:

Dear Equality Maryland,

We were there today at Governor O’Malley ‘s rally at the UAW. I know my friend Terrilee and I spoke about transgender issues and my friends Terry, and Chris were there too and talked to him about marriage equality. It was a wonderful event.

Dana in Maugansville

Dear Equality Maryland,

I attended the kickoff for the O'Malley/Brown campaign held at the C. Burr Artz Public Library in Frederick this afternoon. In attendance were both state Delegates Sue Hecht and Galen Clagett of Frederick, two Frederick County Commissioners, and many members of the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee. I spoke to both Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown, and both commented at how pleased they were to meet with Equality Maryland representatives at each of their campaign events. I told them both that we appreciate their support for equal marriage rights in Maryland. Both expressed support and gratitude for the work EQMD does. Governor O'Malley said that he feels confident that same sex marriage rights are on the horizon. He said that Maryland cannot move backwards and he will continue to support our cause.

Char in Frederick

Dear Equality Maryland,

On Monday evening, our Governor was at his campaign rally at a Rockville public recreational park on Nelson Street. Hot dogs and hamburgers were being served.

After I watched him interact with the crowd, including being very attentive and kind to a woman in a wheelchair, I introduced myself as a member of Equality Maryland and asked him about Maryland recognizing marriages of those from outside our state. He said that he was going with the Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler's opinion on that.

Montgomery County Executive Isaiah Leggett, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and the Governor held a rally later on inside the pavilion at this park and each gave energetic speeches.

Morgan in Rockville

Dear Equality Maryland,

We had a good time at Governor O’Malley’s kickoff rally! It was a great opportunity to hear from the Governor and squeeze in a civics lesson for the kiddos. The kids were impressed by how close they could get to the Governor, but (for better or for worse) more impressed by the secret service agents and their high-tech vehicles.

Heather, Emily and Family in Rockville

Dear Equality Maryland,

I got to meet the Governor. We got a great picture of him and I with the Equality Maryland sign with a rainbow flag on top. Every person I talked with there was supportive of LGBT issues and when he saw the sign he said "wow...you guys have been at every rally.” I said, "Please, don't forget our support and our civil rights."

That’s all from the Eastern Shore,

Robin in Cambridge

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Thursday, April 22, 2010


Montgomery County: Prevent Anti-Gay Propaganda in our Schools


Dear Friends,

In February, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) distributed fliers in a number of high schools in Montgomery County telling students that people can change their sexual orientation from gay to straight through reparative therapies. Many people were outraged. Equality Maryland, the Metro DC Chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians (PFLAG), the National Center for Lesbian Rights and several other groups promptly responded.

There is no scientific evidence that trying to change people’s sexual orientation is effective and major medical associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association agree that there is sufficient evidence that attempting to do so causes harm.

It is inappropriate for schools to distribute materials saying it is wrong to be gay or that gay people are inferior just as it would be to send papers saying it is wrong to be a particular race, religion, or gender or that people of a particular race, religion, or gender are inferior.

Last week, PFLAG distributed fliers in every Montgomery County public high school explaining the dangers of such therapies, but there is still work to do.

The Montgomery County School Board must move to include material, recommended by its own Advisory Committee, specifically stating that mainstream medical and mental health organizations recognizes that being gay is not a choice and that so-called therapies to change sexual orientation are opposed by mainstream health professionals as dangerous.

While members of the Board of Education and the MCPS staff are sympathetic to our views, they need encouragement to act.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Call the School Board at 301-279-3617 and ask to speak to School Board President, Patricia O’Neill.

Sample Call Script: My name is _____ and I live in Montgomery County. I am calling in regards to the recent distribution of anti-gay fliers. There is no scientific evidence that trying to change people’s sexual orientation is effective and there is sufficient evidence that attempting to do so causes harm. The Montgomery County School Board must move to include information in the health curriculum specifically stating that mainstream medical and mental health organizations agree that being gay is not a choice and that so-called therapies to change sexual orientation are opposed by mainstream health professionals as dangerous. Thank you for your time.

After you make a call, please take 5 minutes to send a quick e-mail to the Board at boe@mcpsmd.org.

Sample Message:

Dear Montgomery County School Board,

I am writing in regards to the recent distribution of anti-gay fliers to Montgomery County high school students. There is no scientific evidence that trying to change people’s sexual orientation is effective and there is sufficient evidence that attempting to do so causes harm. The Montgomery County School Board must move to include information in the health curriculum specifically stating that mainstream medical and mental health organizations agree that being gay is not a choice and that so-called therapies to change sexual orientation are opposed by mainstream health professionals as dangerous. I urge you to take action on this matter.

Sincerely,

Name, Address, Phone

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010


Equality Maryland Joins More than 200 Organizations to Demand Immediate Action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act


Dear Friends,

On April 17th, the nation’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations, along with allies in the faith, labor and civil rights communities, issued a statement to members of the United States Congress demanding action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)! Right now, it is perfectly legal in 29 states to fire someone for being lesbian, gay or bisexual. There are 38 states where people can still be fired for being transgender. That is unacceptable!

Equality Maryland is proud to be part of the efforts to push for action at the federal level. We are also continuing to fight to advance anti-discrimination protections in the Free State on the basis of gender identity and expression not only for employment, but also in the areas of housing, credit and public accommodations. To find out more about our work or to get involved, contact Owen Smith, Field Organizer for Gender Equality Issues at owen@equalitymaryland.org or 410-685-6567.

Click here to read the ENDA statement.

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010


HIV/AIDS State of Emergency in Baltimore


Dear Friends,

Today, I have the honor and obligation of presenting at a hearing before the Baltimore City Council’s Committee on Public Safety and Health on the state of emergency of HIV/AIDS in the city of Baltimore.

We are truly in a state of emergency when it comes to HIV and AIDS. This crisis hits some communities particularly hard such as low income communities and people of color. The transgender community is also dramatically and disparately impacted by this epidemic. Studies show that HIV risk and the transgender population are two terms that go hand in hand. Those who identify as transgender make up a segment of our population that has an extremely high HIV risk. While making up one percent to five percent of the general population the transgender community has an HIV infection rate that some experts estimate as low as 15 percent and as high as 60 percent. Click here to read my testimony.

The hearing will occur in the Clarence “Du” Burns Council Chamber (4th Floor) of City Hall (100 North Holliday Street, Baltimore) at 5:00pm. I certainly hope that you will consider attending this important meeting.

If we are truly going to address this epidemic, then we must preserve current funding levels, restore cut funding, identify funding streams to fill in the gaps, particularly for those populations disparately impacted by HIV/AIDS in our community and provide adequate funding for targeted, prevention strategies, testing and information. Equality Maryland, our partners and allies are committed to working together to address this very real crisis.

Sincerely,

Owen Smith
Field Organizer for Gender Equality Issues

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Monday, April 19, 2010


Hot Off The Presses! EQMD's 2010 Legislative Wrap-Up


Dear Friends,

Hot off the presses is Equality Maryland’s 2010 General Assembly Legislative Wrap-Up. I am delighted to be able to provide an overview of the hard work of the LGBT community and our allies over the past 90 days.

You can read the Legislative Wrap-Up by clicking here.

We are proud of the progress that we made this year! We worked hard to build momentum and prevent set-backs. We organized successful hearings, had a large lobby day turnout, generated media attention, engaged activists and lobbied legislators, mobilized new activists, held legislative briefings and identified new coalition partners. The fact is that we are in a stronger position than at the start of the session and that in itself is truly a major accomplishment. We look forward to continuing to work with our allies, activists, partners and other supporters to create true and lasting equality in the Free State!

On a personal level, I want to thank you for your ongoing support of Equality Maryland. Only with your insight, ideas, advocacy and donations are we able to do this work on behalf of the community. Simply put, we could not do it without you.

Have a great weekend,

Morgan Meneses-Sheets
Executive Director

PS: As always your financial support is crucial to sustaining our momentum. In honor of a successful legislative session, please consider making a donation at www.equalitymaryland.org/give or feel free to drop a check in the mail to our office at 1201 South Sharp Street, Suite 109, Baltimore, MD 21230. Thank you for all you do!

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Friday, April 16, 2010


Obama Issues Important Medical Decision Making Protections


Equality Maryland would like to commend President Obama who last night issued a directive to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop policies around visitation for all hospitals in the nation that receive Medicare and Medicaid money. Specifically, the subject of the directive is: Respecting the Rights of Hospital Patients to Receive Visitors and to Designate Surrogate Decision Makers for Medical Emergencies. This will impact virtually every hospital in the United States and is a concrete step from the administration to alleviate potentially devastating issues for LGBT couples across the nation.

We are fortunate in Maryland to have statutory protections for medical decision making and hospital visitation. Maryland’s Medical Decision Making Act passed after legislators heard the horrifying stories of people thrown out of a hospital room when their partner was emerging from heart surgery or refused access as their partner received an anesthetic before giving birth to their second child.

While the law passed in 2005, it was vetoed by then Governor Ehrlich. Thankfully Governor O’Malley signed this measure after taking office. The bill granted same-gender couples basic protections like the ability to make medical decisions, ride in an ambulance together or share a room in a nursing home.

Equality Maryland is proud of the work that we have done, but what happens when we leave Maryland for a family vacation? Will we be provided the same protections in another state? This directive will provide the comfort of knowing that we do not lose these essential rights the minute we cross the border.

This is about really reaffirming the rights of a person to designate who they feel would be best to carry out their wishes. When you're worried about somebody who is ill and you want to be there for support, the last thing you need is to be fighting with a nurse just to be in the room. In human beings' lives, there are few times that are more important to have relationships accepted than in times of medical emergencies.

We celebrate President Obama’s forward thinking step to protect our families!

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Monday, April 12, 2010


Introducing our New Field Organizer, Aimee


Hi! I’m Aimee Martin, the new field organizer for marriage equality at Equality Maryland. Born and raised in Montgomery County, I am very excited to work on equality here in my home state.

I graduated from Connecticut College in 2007 with a degree in government and economics focusing on sexuality; studying in depth the effectiveness of bullying legislation and the economic impact of marriage for same-sex couples. I got my start in campaigns working for Basic Rights Montgomery to combat the ballot initiative to strike gender identity from the non-discrimination policy. That campaign threw me into the world of electoral politics.

From there I went on to work in California on Prop 8 in L.A. and then to Maine in 2009. In Maine, I spent most of my time working on rural organizing around the legislative battle working to persuading a republican state senator to vote with us on marriage equality. I also worked on Maine’s referendum, the “No on 1” campaign following our legislative win. I was the Deputy Regional Field Director for Northern Maine in charge of 8 organizers in 6 counties. After that, I traveled to New Jersey to work for Garden State Equality on their legislative campaign for marriage equality.

While the losses in CA, ME and NJ were devastating, I see victory in all the volunteers I worked with who gave so much of their time to work towards equality. My favorite part about organizing is engaging volunteers and developing leaders. I believe a successful campaign takes leaders who truly have ownership in the efforts.

As the newest staff person at Equality Maryland, I am looking forward to working with volunteers and coalition partners to build the base of support that we need in order to win marriage through the legislature and then if necessary at the ballot. I am especially excited to reach out to supporters and volunteers who live in the rural areas of Maryland to get them involved. I believe that everyone can make a difference in achieving equality if each person gives a little in whatever capacity they can.

I look forward to working with all of you, hearing your stories and your thoughts on how we can win equality for all Marylanders.

Have a great day,

Aimee
aimee@equalitymaryland.org
410 685-6567

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Monday, April 12, 2010


Last Day of the 2010 Session


Today is Sine Die – the last day of the 2010 General Assembly session. It is a busy day, but I wanted to share just a few highlights. Look out for our full legislative wrap-up on Friday.

Despite the fact that this is the last session before the state-wide elections, we made some incredibly important advances this year in the fight to secure equal rights for LGBT Marylanders.

  • Right before the session kicked off, EQMD staff and partners successfully lobbied senior leadership at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and coordinated with the Attorney General and Governor O’Malley’s staff to halt an attempt to change gender marker provisions, which would have been devastating to the Transgender community.


  • This year the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (HB 808/SB 582) gained 4 new co-sponsors in the General Assembly, including the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee – where the bill is heard in the State Senate.


  • With Delegate Luiz Simmons as a new co-sponsor, we now have the requisite number of supporters (12 members) needed to send the bill to the floor of the House of Delegates.


  • The Gender Identity and Expression Anti-Discrimination Act (HB 1022/SB 583) gained 4 new co-sponsors from key geographic areas across the state.


  • For the first time, the Maryland AFL-CIO came out in support of the gender identity bill and testified at the hearings. This is a big move forward in terms of our relationships with the labor community.


  • We worked hard to advance the Family Medical Leave Act (HB 1272) that would have included domestic partners on the list of family members able to take extended leave time to care for a sick partner. We helped coordinate the hearings and secure testimony.


  • We also worked hard to enact a de facto parenting bill (SB 600/HB 1241) that would have provided legal relationships and recognition for same-sex couples raising children in our state. We worked closely with the sponsors’ offices to coordinate the hearings and secure all of the testimony.


  • We organized successful hearings, generated media attention, engaged activists and lobbied legislators to defeat or hold back 5 different legislative attempts and many procedural or floor attempts to roll back recent gains or prevent the future enactment of marriage equality legislation.


  • In response to the positive attorney general’s opinion on out-of-state marriage recognition, EQMD staff built a comprehensive media relations plan to provide important pro-equality messaging to the press and successfully worked to beat back any attempt by lawmakers to void the opinion itself. We also worked with partners to create and distribute a frequently asked questions guide.

We will work to keep you updated to that we can really dig in together on the work that needs to be done to move forward. The next big focus is of course the 2010 statewide elections - more info on the work being done by the Equality Maryland Political Action Committee (PAC) soon. Thank you for all that you are doing. We pledge to keep up the fight!

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Friday, April 9, 2010


I'm totally disgusted. You should be, too!


Dear Friends,

I'm totally disgusted.

Today, Equality Maryland staff members are on the ground in Annapolis ensuring that in the final days of the 2010 legislative session we halt any last minute attempts to repeal the Attorney General's opinion or chip away at our rights.

But we're not the only ones here in Annapolis. "The Truth Truck" is also in our state capital spewing anti-LGBT hatred. It is literally parked in front of the Statehouse with signs that say: "Homosexuality is a Sin - AIDS is Death" and "The Sodomites - He Banished them from the Land."

If you're wondering what we're up against - this is it! Our staff and our legislative allies constantly face this type of vicious ignorance. Pictures say a thousand words, which is why I felt I needed to send this to you.

But actions, of course, speak louder than words. You can act today to helps us speak the truth about our families and our lives to lawmakers in Annapolis. You have the power to build our movement with your advocacy, outreach and financial support.

If these signs and the hateful rhetoric make you cringe - like me - help us counter these attacks by supporting EQMD's advocacy efforts. I know you receive a number of requests from important organizations, but your generosity really does make a difference in each and every attack on our community and our families. You can donate online by clicking here or by sending a check to us at 1201 Sharp Street, Suite 109, Baltimore, MD, 21230.

Hateful rhetoric like this has no place in Annapolis! Please, help us keep up the fight.

Yours in Equality and Truth,

Morgan Meneses-Sheets
Executive Director

P.S. For the record, Equality Maryland had nothing to do with someone egging the truck, but we may have chuckled when we heard about it.

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Thursday, April 8, 2010


Call for Speakers on Gender Equality Issues (training available)


As part of our ongoing work to advance the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act and our overall commitment to gender equality issues, Equality Maryland is working on develop a speaker’s bureau to speak. Volunteers would assist EQMD in outreach and speaking engagements on to the needs of the transgender community. They would also help to present and develop testimony for legislative hearings.

We are looking for speakers who identify as transgender, transsexual, gender queer, gender nonconforming, gender variant, as well as allies. No prior public speaking skills needed. Training will be provided. We are looking at reaching out to potential volunteers over the next month and holding the first session in June.

Goals of the EQMD Transgender Speaker’s Bureau include:

  • Work with the bureau to address challenges faced in the advancement of our state legislation.
  • Work on a shared set of language and definitions in order to ensure that we have a strong, cohesive, comprehensive set of messages on the experience of and issues faced by the transgender community.
  • Work with the speaker’s bureau to develop clear goals, as well as to identify speaking opportunities.
  • Brainstorm ways to engage the non-trans members of Maryland’s LGBTQ community.
  • Help each member gain the skills to clearly articulate the importance of anti-discrimination policies and the overall needs of the community.
  • Develop a set of materials and tool kits to help make these lessons more accessible and engage a large group of volunteers and supporters.
  • Educate partner organizations on the importance of pro trans-policy in their groups.

Volunteers are asked to participate in bi-monthly meetings during the development process. Every volunteer is also expected to attend at least one training in order to be an official spokesperson for the organization. Additional trainings will be available to volunteers who are also interested in working with the media.

If you are interested in participating in this group please contact Owen Smith at owen@equalitymaryland.org or call 410-685-6567.

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Wednesday, April 7, 2010


EQMD Events – Join us!


Only a few days remain in the 2010 General Assembly session - and what a session it has been! Equality Maryland staff and legislative allies are working diligently to ensure that the Attorney General's opinion on out-of-state marriage recognition isn't repealed or altered. The end of the session is in sight, but the work to elect more pro-equality legislators is just beginning.

We have a number of exciting events coming up that I would like to share with you. Many Equality Maryland members have asked me about the Attorney General's opinion and what it means financially to their family. I'm proud to announce that we're again partnering with Joe Kapp to offer three free Financial Planning sessions to answer all of your questions. The sessions will take place in Baltimore, Silver Spring and Washington, DC - for more information, or to register, please click here.

Also, you won't want to miss out on our next Volunteer Night on April 22. As part of the program, we'll be providing a special insider's briefing on the 2010 General Assembly session. For more information or to sign up, please visit our Facebook event page or contact us at info@equalitymaryland.org.

We're also taking our very successful EQMD Happy Hour on the road and traveling down to Washington, DC on April 29th, for our next installment. Please be sure to join us at Remingtons starting at 5:00 pm and check out our Facebook event page or contact us at info@equalitymaryland.org to RSVP. We also have a Spring happy hour in Baltimore at the Waterstone Bar & Grille on May 13th starting at 6pm.

There's much, much more in store for this spring, and you won't want to miss out on all the fun. Be sure to bookmark or favorite our events page for the latest event updates.

As always, your financial support allows us to offer high-caliber free programs for our members and provides Equality Maryland with the necessary resources to fight back attacks on our community and families. If this beautiful weather has put you in a giving mood like me, why not make a small donation to advance equality in the Free State? It's simple, easy and I guarantee you will feel good afterwards.

Hope to see you at one of our next events!

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010


Introducing our New Field Organizer, Owen


My name is Owen Smith. I am the new Equality Maryland Field Organizer for Gender Equality Issues. I am a 27 year old, FTM, gender queer. I was born in Milwaukee, WI but have been a resident of Baltimore for almost a decade.

I have worked for trans-rights in Maryland for the last eight years. I am one of the founding members of a gender performance group in Baltimore called the Charm City Boys. The Charm City Boys have always done our best to educate through performance on the issues of gender variance and gender non-conformity. I am also a member of the Team Trans Collective, which was created in response to transphobic behavior by local bars. Team Trans has shifted its goals to be a resource for trainings on gender inclusiveness. I am also a member of the Gender Justice Collective, a group that hopes to fuse ideas of gender non-conforming politics and performance art. The Gender Justice Collective is hosting the twelfth annual International Drag King Extravaganza (IDKEXII) in Baltimore October 20th-24th. IDKE is a gender and social justice conference with a performance twist.

Some of the projects I’m eager to start working on here at Equality Maryland are the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, working with law enforcement to better understand the issues of the transgender community, helping to provide better services to the LGBTQ homeless population, working to better document and share the everyday transgender experience in Maryland, and creating and implementing a trans-inclusive curriculum to all organizations and agencies willing to undergo the training.

I believe that a strong understanding of the intersectionality of oppression is the key to all successful movements. Coalition building and grass roots organizing are two ways I hope to achieve my personal goal of having Maryland be one of the safest and most equally protected places for the trans-community.

I look forward to hearing from everyone on how we can better help each other as we fight for the rights of transgender Marylanders.

Thank you,
Owen
owen@equalitymaryland.org
410 685-6567

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