SILVER SPRING, MD –Equality Maryland, Maryland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group, announced today the appointment of Lea A. Gilmore as its Political/Campaign Director, a new position with the organization. Lea is a longtime human rights advocate who, appointed by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, has served on the Maryland Advisory Committee on Civil Rights. She has written and lectured extensively in the United States, Europe and Africa on African American music, African American history, human rights and women's rights.

"Equality Maryland is thrilled to have found someone of Lea's caliber to facilitate our electoral work, grassroots lobbying activities, and overall campaign to move public opinion in favor of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples," said Executive Director Dan Furmansky. "It's not every day that we hire someone named "One of 25 Women Shaping the World" by Essence Magazine (October 2005), and we are excited to work with her to shape a more welcoming world for LGBT people and their families in Maryland."

Most recently, Lea worked as Director of Outreach Programs for the National Abortion Federation, performing cultural competency training, advocacy and outreach. Lea is a past Deputy Director and current member of the Board of Directors at the ACLU of Maryland. She is well known for building a strong coalition in support of handgun control in her time with Marylanders Against Handgun Abuse. Lea has also served as the Program Director for the Association of Baltimore Area Grant-makers, where she directed the African American Philanthropy Initiative. In addition, Lea has helped raise more than one million dollars for the Brussels-based Damian Foundation, dedicated to assisting developing countries treat and cure tuberculosis and leprosy.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Equality Maryland," said Gilmore. "This is the time for us to continue to encourage the politics of inclusion, and remain committed to the ideal that same-sex couples and their families deserve the same constitutional protections as all Americans."

Lea is a native Baltimorean and graduate of Morgan State University, where she was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society for the Social Sciences. An accomplished gospel and blues musician, she resides in the Baltimore area with her husband, David, and two sons, Jonathan and Gabriel.