Maryland Delegates Holding up Marriage Equality!

Maryland is poised to become the sixth state to gain marriage equality unless the opposition forces change delegates minds. Democratic delegates who previously promised to support marriage equality are now backtracking and holding up a vote. It is essential to contact your state representative and urge them to support full marriage equality.

The following delegates are particularly crucial committee member votes, please email and call them to demand they vote for marriage equality immediately.

Delegate Sam Arora
(410) 841-3528
sam.arora@house.state.md.us
*Now citing religious beliefs for opposition (Arora Twitter account shows former support for marriage equality).

Delegate Tiffany Alston
(410) 841-3692
tiffany.alston@house.state.md.us

Delegate Jill Carter
(410) 841-3283
jill.carter@house.state.md.us

Delegate Melvin Stukes
(410) 841-3544
melvin.stukes@house.state.md.us

The Maryland Senate has passed marriage equality and Governor O'Malley has pledged to sign the legislation should it reach his desk. The House of Delegates is our last hurdle and our opposition is out in full force.

Please repost, forward and tweet this to your friends #Marryland.

Equality Maryland Lobby Day 2010

Maryland remains one of a handful of states that has the opportunity to end marriage discrimination against same-sex couples in the near future. The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act will be re-introduced this session. Lawmakers won’t support the bill unless they are asked, and the best people to ask are the voters who live in their district – that would be you!

We are also focusing on adding gender identity and expression to the state's non-discrimination laws. We need you to urge your legislator to pass this common-sense measure once and for all. Please think about giving these important issues a few hours of your time on Feb. 8, when Equality Maryland holds its annual Lobby Day in Annapolis. Sign up today!

Equality Maryland Lobby Day
Monday, Feb. 8, 2010
4:30 - 8:00 pm
Lawyer's Mall, Annapolis

Stop Maryland Vehicle Admin's Gender Change Policy

Equality Maryland is asking people to take action to ensure that the proposed new rule at the Maryland Vehicle Administration regarding changing gender does not take place. The new rule would make it more costly, difficult, and lead to potential embarrassment and harassment for transgender Marylander's.

Click here to stop MVA drivers license changes.

Governor O'Malley of Maryland Hints at Out of State Marriage Recognition

Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland who has previously stated his opposition to same-sex marriage, has spoken in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages that took place out of state. This would ensure that LGBTQ people in Maryland are able to receive the same rights and benefits in their state, even though they must be inconvenienced to travel out of state to officially be recognized.

Equality Maryland is urging us to contact the Governor and thank him for his positive remarks about recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere in the state of Maryland.

Urge Maryland Attorney General and Governor to Review Marriage Laws

Activists are arguing that marriage equality can come to Maryland within strides. First, the state must follow Washington D.C. and New York in recognizing out of state marriages.

Contact AG Douglas F. Gansler and urge him to evaluate Maryland law. Even if doesn't go anywhere, it will stir up the conversation of marriage equality in the "Old Line State."

Main telephone number
(410) 576-6300 or 1 (888) 743-0023 toll-free in Maryland
TDD: (410) 576-6372
Opinions, Advice and Legislation: (410) 576-6327

Mailing address
Office of the Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Email: oag@oag.state.md.us

If you're feeling very active, contact the governor, too, and urge him for an evaluation of the law.

Crossposted from Unite The Fight.

Urge Maryland's Governor to Push for Transgender Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Governor O'Malley's leadership can make the difference in the House and Senate Committees passing transgender anti-discrimination legislation this year. Transgender people experience bias far too often in employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations. When discrimination prevents or hinders a person from gaining or keeping employment, many other problems develop. Rent doesn't get paid, which leads to eviction. Data shows that 42% of transgender people in the DC Metro Area are unemployed and 19% do not have their own living space. Transgender individuals may also be denied access to social services like shelters or rape crisis centers; refused treatment, ridiculed, or denied recognition of their gender identity by health care professionals; or refused service at restaurants or stores.

Tell Governor O'Malley to urge Senate and House leaders to swiftly move SB566 and HB474 out of committee and to a full vote by the Senate and House.

Urge Committees to Support Transgender Anti-Discrimination Legislation in Maryland

Transgender people experience bias far too often in employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations. When discrimination prevents or hinders a person from gaining or keeping employment, many other problems develop. Rent doesn't get paid, which leads to eviction. Data shows that 42% of transgender people in the DC Metro Area are unemployed and 19% do not have their own living space. Transgender individuals may also be denied access to social services like shelters or rape crisis centers; refused treatment, ridiculed, or denied recognition of their gender identity by health care professionals; or refused service at restaurants or stores.

We must unite to pass HB474/SB566 to ensure protections for transgender people in Maryland.

Take Action Via Equality Maryland Action Center