Baltimore County Adds Protections for Transgender Individuals
Equality Maryland applauds the Baltimore County Council for passing Bill 3-12 that adds gender identity and expression to county law prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, financing and education.
“We commend Councilman Quirk for his leadership on this important measure along with his four colleagues who voted “yes” – Councilmembers Vicki Almond, Kenneth Oliver, Cathy Bevins and John Olszewski,” said Owen Smith, field organizer at Equality Maryland. He continues, “This common-sense law will allow transgender people residing and visiting Baltimore County to live their lives with more security and peace.”
Smith and Equality Maryland played a critical role in helping pass this legislation. This included activating Equality Maryland members in Baltimore County to contact their Councilmembers and to testify before the Council, providing assistance to the bill sponsor and garnering support from business leaders.
Maryland House of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality Bill
February 17, 2012
With Major Hurdle Cleared, Marriage Equality Supporters Prepare for Vote in Senate
ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland House of Delegates voted in favor of House Bill 438, the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which allows committed gay and lesbian couples to marry in the state. The measure, which is a cornerstone of Governor Martin O’Malley’s legislative agenda this year, now moves to the Senate, where it cleared the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee late last month.
“Today’s vote is a huge step forward for all of us working to make marriage equality a reality in Maryland,” said Sultan Shakir, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition. “There’s a lot of work left to do, but momentum continues to grow – and quickly.”
Passage in the House, where a marriage equality bill stalled last year, is seen as a major milestone in this year’s push to pass marriage equality.
“We want to thank the Delegates who cast votes today in favor of equality for LGBT families in our state, and our Senate supporters who laid the path last year that made this day possible. Their unwavering commitment has helped bring us one huge step closer today to marriage equality in our great state,” explains Carrie Evans, Executive Director of Equality Maryland. “If last year taught us anything, it’s that you can’t take any vote for granted, but we’re cautiously optimistic.”
“1199 SEIU members stand with our Delegates who voted for marriage equality. Their vote makes Maryland and all its working families stronger,” said Ezekiel Jackson of 1199 SEIU.
“History was made today,” said Melissa Goemann, legislative director of ACLU of Maryland. “Delegates protected religious liberty while allowing for equal protection under the law for same-sex couples and their families.”
“Committed gay and lesbian couples and their children are on the road to being protected equally under the law due to the efforts of the House today,” said Kate Planco-Waybright, interim executive director of Progressive Maryland.
Marylanders for Marriage Equality is the coalition—including 1199 SEIU, Equality Maryland, Progressive Maryland, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU of Maryland, and others—working to bring civil marriage equality to Maryland.
As you may have heard, HB 438 was not debated last evening on the floor on the House of Delegates. More than 200 amendments have been offered to the bill and the joint committee chairpersons asked for some time today to review all of these. The full House agreed and that is why debate did not occur.
Today we are expecting the joint committees to plow through these amendments and try to get the bill back on the full House floor for debate (called Second Reader) later in the day. Depending on how quickly the floor debate goes, they may get to the final vote late in the day.
The momentum and support for the bill continues to build quickly! This week two Republicans, Delegates Robert Costa and Wade Kach have thrown their support behind the bill. Also, two uncommitted Democrats have said they are voting yes — Delegates Pam Beidle and John Olszewski, Jr.
Until we have the final vote, your Delegates need to continue hearing from you. If you have not thanked your delegate for their support or urged them to vote for HB 438, it is not too late, please speak up today!
I will try to provide updates on Facebook and Twitter (@EqualityMD) today as I can!
http://www.equalitymaryland.org/events/lobby-day
SO CLOSE TO 500, COME ON!
http://www.equalitymaryland.org/events/lobby-day
Let's get to 500 TODAY!
http://www.equalitymaryland.org/events/lobby-day
We are one week away from Lobby Day and Rally. We have 350 people signed up - let’s get this number up to 500 by the end of today!
The stakes could not be higher: the Senate and House will be in the midst of voting on the Civil Marriage Protection Act when we gather. We need to stand unified and make our voices heard.
There is no time for excuses or procrastination. Sign up to join us in Annapolis right now!
On January 23, 2012 the Baltimore City Council voted 14-0 to pass a resolution urging members of the Baltimore City delegation to the General Assembly to help secure the passage of legislation seeking to provide equal access to marriage for same-sex couples.
Equality Maryland applauds the members of the Council for standing up for all families. Special thanks to Councilman Jim Kraft for his leadership on this resolution.
Senate Bill 241 and House Bill 438 would amend state law to allow for marriage licenses to be issued to same-sex couples. Additionally, these measures will preserve the religious freedom and liberty of churches and places of worship.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
College Park, Md. - On the day that Governor Martin O'Malley introduced the Civil Marriage Protection Act, the College Park City Council passed a resolution in support of the bill 7-1. The City of College Park has passed a resolution in support of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples for the past four years.
"This is a proud day for College Park," said Mayor Andrew M. Fellows. "We recognize that it is fair and right that all loving, committed couples should share in the benefits and responsibilities of marriage."
Councilmember Patrick Wojahn, also chair of the Board of Directors of the Equality Maryland Foundation, commented, "College Park has once again demonstrated that it believes in fairness and equality for all of its residents." At the Council meeting where the resolution passed, Councilmember Wojahn talked about growing up in suburban Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he found it difficult to find support growing up gay. "If we can demonstrate that this is a supportive community, I hope that people growing up gay or lesbian in College Park can recognize that they live in a community that supports them."
"More and more communities in Maryland are recognizing that all of their residents deserve full equality. Maryland is a fair-minded state, and that is why we hope to become the next state to grant full equality to its residents," said Carrie Evans, Executive Director of Equality Maryland.
