FreeState Celebrates Equality Maryland

FreeState is proud to celebrate the work of Equality Maryland, an organization working to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Marylanders through outreach, education, research, community organizing, training and coalition building.

For more than two decades, Equality Maryland has secured and protected the rights of LGBT Marylanders. Some of their major milestones are:

• In 2001, EQMD helped pass the Anti-Discrimination Act, banning sexual orientation-motivated discrimination in housing, public accommodations, lending, and employment statewide.
• In 2003, their work resulted in stronger safe-schools regulations.
• In 2005, EQMD expanded Maryland’s hate crimes law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s sexual orientation and gender identity.
• EQMD successfully helped to pass transgender anti-discrimination laws in Baltimore City (2002), Montgomery County (2007), Howard County (2012), and Baltimore County (2012).
• In 2012, EQMD was a key member of the coalition that facilitated the passage of The Civil Marriage Protection Act by the Maryland Legislature. 
• In 2012, EQMD was a key member of the coalition that helped defend The Civil Marriage Protection Act at the ballot box.
• In 2014, EQMD led the efforts to pass the Fairness for All Marylanders Act, which prohibits discrimination against transgender Marylanders.

For more information about the groundbreaking work Equality Maryland does, check out their website at www.equalitymaryland.org