FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Saida Agostini
Email: sagostini@FreeStateLegal.org
Phone: 410-625-5428 x14
Equality Maryland and FreeState Legal Announce Additional Listening Sessions and Launch of Online Survey
Baltimore, MD – April 20, 2016 – Following the launch of a series of statewide listening sessions to identify the emerging needs of Maryland’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities, FreeState Legal and Equality Maryland announced new listening sessions today in Annapolis, Baltimore and Rockville, as well as an online survey. These listening sessions will help inform FreeState Legal and Equality Maryland’s merger to create a comprehensive, statewide political and legal advocacy organization on behalf of LGBTQ communities.
“We are committed to hearing from community members across the state,” stated FreeState Legal and Equality Maryland’s Executive Director, Patrick Paschall. “The listening sessions we’ve held in Chesapeake, Salisbury, Howard, and Frederick have been powerful opportunities to learn more about the issues that are affecting the LGBTQ community in different regions of Maryland. We look forward to engaging in more rich conversations that will help us determine the direction of our organization in the future.”
An online survey is available for individuals unable to attend a community listening session. To find out more about our statewide listening series or to fill out a survey, go to https://freestate-justice.org/what-we-do/statewide-listening-tour/. The date and location of the listening session for Prince George’s County will be announced shortly. The organization will use information gathered in the listening sessions and surveys to influence a comprehensive strategic planning process, including rewriting the organization’s mission, vision, name, and brand. The new organizational identity will be unveiled at a summer celebration gala.
These listening sessions are co-hosted with regional LGBTQ organizations including The Frederick Center, PFLAG Columbia-Howard County, The Lower Shore LGBTQ Coalition, Maryland Trans* Unity, United Church of Christ Annapolis, and PFLAG Chestertown.
The following events are scheduled to take place:
5.3.16 Chase Brexton, Large Community Room 6 PM to 8 PM
1111 North Charles Street, Baltimore
5.4.16 Rockville Memorial Library 6 PM to 8 PM
21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville
5.9.16 United Church of Christ Annapolis 6 PM to 8 PM
8 Carvel Circle, Edgewater
5.15.16 Open Door Metropolitan Community Church 1 PM to 3 PM
15817 Barnesville Road, Boyd
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FreeState Legal is a non-profit organization that serves the low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community in Maryland through direct legal services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and outreach and training activities. Equality Maryland is Maryland’s largest LGBTQ civil rights and political advocacy organization. FreeState Legal and Equality Maryland recently announced that they are merging to form a comprehensive, statewide civil rights organization that serves LGBTQ Marylanders through litigation, policy advocacy, community outreach, public education, and training.
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