Legislation
Senate Bill 241 and House Bill 438 will 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.
Status: HB 438 passed the House by a 72-67 vote on Feb. 16, 2012, and passed the Senate by a vote of 25-22 on Feb. 23. Governor Martin O'Malley signed the bill into law on March 1, 2012.
EQMD Position: Support
Click here to thank legislators who supported this bill.
Senate Bill 212 would add gender identity and expression to existing state law that prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.
Status: This measure had a hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Feb. 28, 2012 at 1pm.
EQMD Position: Support
Senate Bill 277 and House Bill 168: These bills would ban housing discrimination based on source of income. Any discrimination based on non-relevant factors is a concern for Equality Maryland, but we are particularly interested in this bill because of its potential benefit to members of the LGBT community and others who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Status: These measures are awaiting action in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and House Environmental Matters Committee.
EQMD Position: Support
Don't miss out on attending Sheraton's first annual LGBT Wedding Show! All brides and grooms-to-be will be eligible to win great giveaways. A portion of the $5 admission charge will benefit The Trevor Project. Please RSVP at 410 321-7400 or info@sheratonbaltimorenorth.com.
Join Equality Maryland, and a fabulous panel of local, and celebrity judges, for a FIERCE Drag competition on Sunday, May 20th at Club Hippo in Baltimore, MD.
Come for your chance to win up to $500 in cash prizes or come to cheer on your favorite performer; or maybe even a favorite Judge.
Judges:
Carmen Carrera, from RuPaul's Drag Race
Baltimore-based singer Lea Gilmore
Deputy Chief, Kaliope Parthemos, Office of Mayor
SEIU 500 Political Director, Mark McLaurin
$15 per person over the age of 25
$10 for young adults under 25, or with a valid college ID
Free for all performers (sorry Kings and Queens, your entourage must pay to enter)
NEED YOUR OWN SEAT? VIP tickets are also available, with seating adjacent to the judges' area. VIP tickets are $30 each or $100 for a table of four.
All proceeds go to Equality Maryland.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS.
If you're interested in performing, please sign up at http://www.equalitymaryland.org/drag.
Marriage for same-sex couples is coming to Maryland! Are you ready? Join Shelly Webb and Jen Lloyd, Imago Educators and partners of 14 years for an evening of fun, helpful, skills-based relationship training.
Topics will include: Your Brain on Love; From the Honeymoon Stage to the
Power Struggle and Back; Maximizers and Minimizers in the Face of
Conflict; and the Five Languages of Love. You can learn more about Imago
Couples theory and therapy at www.gettingtheloveyouwant.com, but please
note that this evening is relationship education, not therapy, and is
open to both individuals and couples.
This event is free! Please click here to register.
