Creating an Equal Maryland for all.
At FreeState Justice, our team uses free legal services and policy advocacy to create a state where all LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive.
Get the Help You Need
FreeState Justice has an amazing team of legal professionals who provide Marylanders with FREE legal services. Click the link below to learn how you can request services and get the help you need today.
Our Mission
FreeState Justice (FSJ) is Maryland’s oldest and leading statewide legal services nonprofit working to improve the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Marylanders. Through a combination of pro bono legal services, policy advocacy, and community education, we hope to create a truly inclusive Maryland for all.
Who We are
FreeState Justice is made up of fierce advocates from all across Maryland - and even some from across the country! With our various backgrounds in law, grassroots organizing, and political activism, our staff is always ready to meet whatever needs Maryland's LGBTQ+ communities may have!
What We Do
FreeState Justice has a network of hundreds of Pro Bono Attorneys and legal professionals, each ready to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ Marylanders at a legislative level. We also have a great Programs team ready to assist you with getting access to the life-saving resources you need!
Along with that, every year we work with advocates all across the state to push forward LGBTQ+-inclusive legislation to ensure every person
in this state has an equal chance to live authentically. You can also attend the many legal clinics, educational programs, and large-scale events we host throughout the year!
Upcoming Events
Latest News
Leading civil rights law firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, (BGL) and FreeState Justice are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership to strengthen our relationship and reaffirm our shared commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights in Maryland. This partnership is especially important in the wake of recent efforts to roll back civil protections for LGBTQ+ Americans and the Supreme Court’s recent decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti. As part of the new partnership, BGL and FreeState will host free legal clinics to provide on-site assistance with name changes and/or expungements to members of Maryland’s LGBTQ+ community. The clinics will be held at BGL’s Baltimore office located at 120 E. Baltimore Street and the free legal services will be provided by pro bono attorneys, including BGL attorneys, with the training and support of FreeState’s Legal Director, Lauren Pruitt. In addition to assisting with these legal services clinics, BGL has committed to supporting FreeState Justice’s advocacy financially as a sponsor of its annual Sunset Soirée fundraiser. These new efforts will also bolster BGL’s existing work with FreeState providing pro bono representation as opportunities arise. FreeState Justice and BGL are also excited to announce that BGL Attorney Lauren DiMartino will be joining FreeState’s Board of Directors effective July 1, 2025, and will chair the Board’s Programs Committee. Managing partner Jessie Weber previously served on FreeState’s Board, including as Board President. “For years, FreeState Justice has reliably answered the call to fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ Marylanders. Brown Goldstein & Levy recognizes the vital role FreeState Justice is playing in this difficult and crucial moment in history, and is honored to partner with FreeState in its efforts,” said Brown, Goldstein & Levy attorney Lauren DiMartino. “We are excited to see our partnership grow as we work together to safeguard the rights and full equality of LGBTQ+ Marylanders. We hope that other firms in Maryland will join us in answering the call.” “This partnership represents a significant advancement in our mission to ensure that every LGBTQ+ individual in Maryland has access to essential legal services, regardless of their income or background.” said FreeState Justice Legal Director, Lauren Pruitt, Esq. “By combining our legal expertise and commitment to civil rights, our organizations will broaden our reach and impact throughout the state. Together, we are dismantling barriers and creating more pathways to safety, dignity, and legal empowerment for those who need it most in Maryland.” ### About Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP Founded in 1982, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a law firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, with an office in Washington, DC. The firm is nationally recognized in a wide variety of practice areas, including complex civil and commercial litigation, civil rights, health care, family law, and criminal defense. Above all else, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a client-centered law firm that brings decades of experience and passionate, effective advocacy to your fight for justice. BGL was selected as the nation’s “Civil Rights Law Firm of the Year” by The National Law Journal and Elite Lawyers. The firm’s attorneys are consistently recognized as the best of the best by the industry’s leading organizations, including Chambers USA, Lawdragon, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. Best Lawyers awarded BGL’s Civil Rights practice with its highest ranking. Learn more about Browm, Goldstein & Levy here . About FreeState Justice FreeState Justice was formed when legal advocacy organizations FreeState Legal Project and Equality Maryland merged in the spring of 2016. The organization is Maryland's leading statewide legal nonprofit working to improve the lives of Maryland's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community through free legal services, legislative advocacy, and education and outreach programs. You can learn more about FreeState Justice here .
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that parents can remove their children from lessons that include LGBTQ+ content. This decision is detrimental to the education and inclusivity that should be promoted in our schools. The Court has furthered ignorance by allowing parents to prevent their children from being exposed to diverse beliefs and ideas. In a time when the LGBTQ+ community is marginalized and lacks protection, the Court has chosen to deepen their isolation. This decision clearly goes against the Supreme Court’s mission of providing equal justice under the law. FreeState Justice’s Executive Director, Phillip Westry, and Legal Director, Lauren Pruitt, issued the following statement following the decision: “At FreeState Justice, we stand against this exclusion and everything it means for LGBTQ+ children in this country. We are committed to ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals—especially youth—are seen, heard, and supported, something that this decision actively goes against. This decision underscores that our work is more important than ever, and FreeState Justice wants to remind everyone impacted: you are not alone. We are here, and we will continue to fight for you and provide you with whatever you may need to live authentically and safely.” - Phillip Westry, Executive Director "As someone who works directly with families, educators, and young people across Maryland, representation in schools is not about politics; it is about safety, dignity, and inclusivity. We know that when we create a more inclusive environment for one group, we open the door to understanding and acceptance for all. This transformative approach not only enriches the experiences of those initially focused upon but also weaves a stronger fabric of community that embraces diversity, fostering a sense of belonging that touches everyone. The Court's ruling may contradict this understanding, but it does not erase our existence. It simply makes it harder for all students to learn about the full spectrum of the world they live in. At FreeState Justice, we will continue to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ students and their families. Our commitment to this work is not new; this decision only makes it more urgent.” - Lauren Pruitt, Legal Director This decision does not signify the end of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Rather, it underscores the ongoing efforts by LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations to build a society free from discrimination, where LGBTQ+ people can express themselves safely. FreeState has already taken significant steps in this direction by fiercely advocating against hate-filled legislation and providing essential resources to the LGBTQ+ community. We will continue this work, and we will continue to do so in the face of adversity until every citizen has been afforded equal rights and protections.
Last week's 6–3 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management is a critical win for public health and LGBTQ+ communities nationwide. The Court upheld the authority of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), preserving the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that preventive services — including PrEP for HIV, cancer screenings, and reproductive health — remain available without out-of-pocket costs. That this ruling came down on National HIV Testing Day only raises its stakes and significance. At FreeState Justice, we understand that access to preventive care is not a luxury, it’s a right that Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, low-income, and system-impacted communities have long been forced to fight for. “ This decision is a relief, but it’s not the finish line. Free and easy access to PrEP is one thing but getting it into the hands of the people who need it most is another. That’s where FreeState Justice's work continues. This Supreme Court ruling tells us what’s possible when we organize, legislate, and refuse to back down. Together, advocates pushed Maryland to repeal HIV criminalization, and next we’ll work to ensure PrEP is available at every pharmacy.” - Ronnie L. Taylor, Community Impact Director at FreeState Justice. Maryland has led by example in regard to healthcare equity. In the 2025 legislative session, FreeState Justice helped to repeal outdated and discriminatory HIV criminalization laws through the Carlton R. Smith Jr. HIV Modernization Act. It was a necessary correction to decades of policy rooted in fear, stigma, and punishment rather than science. But this repeal wasn’t just about ending unjust prosecution. It was about building a future where prevention and care guide our public health strategy, rather than discriminatory stigma. With this decision, there is a clear roadmap forward for healthcare equity for all, and FreeState Justice remains committed to leading that fight in Maryland and beyond. Today, we urge everyone to get tested, know their status, and understand that there is no shame in taking control of their health. We call on lawmakers, insurers, and health agencies to meet our communities at this moment—not with more bureaucracy, but with bold action rooted in equity and trust.
