NEWS RELEASE
Friday, Nov. 07, 2003                        

FREE STATE JUSTICE
Contact: Dan Furmansky, Executive Director
Phone:    Office 410-685-6567
Cell    301-461-4900
Email:    dan@equalitymaryland.org

FREE STATE JUSTICE WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Experienced Activist to Guide Organization at a Critical Juncture for Maryland's GLBT Community

BALTIMORE -- Free State Justice (FSJ), Maryland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender statewide advocacy organization, announced today the appointment of Dan Furmansky as its new Executive Director, effective on November 10.

Mr. Furmansky comes to FSJ from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in Washington, D.C., where he served as Senior Field Organizer. Furmansky was responsible for providing information, training and support to state and local organizations, leaders and constituency groups in 14 states. He also played a crucial role in the coalition that helped pass groundbreaking domestic partner, transgender and equal benefits legislation recently in California.

"Being asked by the boards of Free State Justice to represent GLBT individuals and their families in Maryland is a true honor, and I will work vigilantly and tirelessly to help ensure that every member of our community receives full equality under the law," Furmansky said. "Currently, the state of Maryland does not recognize families formed by same-sex couples. Unfortunately, this leaves thousands of Marylanders without the legal protections necessary to properly care for our partners and families."

According to 2000 Census data, there are more than 11,000 households headed by same-sex couples in Maryland, represented in every county in the state.

"The time has come for Maryland's fair-minded legislators to address these inequities," said Furmansky.

Lawrence Jacobs, FSJ's President and the Chair of its Search Committee, noted that the organization had received many qualified applicants for this position and thanked all who had applied. "W e are pleased that so many outstanding candidates sought to help our community in Maryland," Jacobs said. "We are thrilled to have found someone of Dan's caliber and experience to lead us to full equality. As a resident of Silver Spring, he understands our needs very well. We are also pleased that many of the other applicants will be assisting FSJ in other ways."

"Dan's departure is a huge loss to HRC and he will be greatly missed by board members, activists, state group leaders, volunteers and coworkers," said Seth Kilbourn, HRC's national field director. "But it is reassuring to know that someone of his caliber will be leading the charge in Maryland. Free State Justice will soon learn what a treasure it has found in its new executive director."

Before coming to HRC, Furmansky was an integral part of the communications department at RESULTS, a D.C.-based citizens' lobby advocating on global and domestic anti-hunger and anti-poverty initiatives. He has worked at a public relations firm in New York City; as an educator on issues of food production and the environment; and as coordinator for community programs at an animal shelter, where he spearheaded a pioneering Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) program.

Free State Justice (FSJ) is Maryland's largest Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization. Begun in 1990, FSJ has fought diligently in the State's capital, counties and cities to gain equal protection under the law and to make life better for Maryland's GLBT citizens.

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