Equality Maryland (EQMD) was a non-profit organization formerly headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, now based in Baltimore. It was at the time, the largest organization in Maryland whose activities focused on advocacy and education with regard to LGBT social and political movements. Its mission included: the passage of laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity; the expansion of Maryland's hate-crimes statute; the increase of domestic partner benefits; the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Maryland and laws banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors. In 2016, the organization merged with FreeState Legal Project,[1] to form FreeState Justice.

Equality Maryland
Formation1990 as Free State Justice
2004 renamed Equality Maryland
2016 Merged with FreeState Legal Project
Location
Key people
Carrie Evans, executive director
Websiteequalitymaryland.org; freestate-justice.org (successor)

Structure

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Equality Maryland's booth at 2007 Capital Pride

The organization began operations in 1990 under the name of Free State Justice, inspired by the Baltimore Justice Campaign that organized the successful amendment to the city's human rights law for gays and lesbians in 1988. The organization was renamed Equality Maryland in 2004. Equality Maryland has three divisions, which share offices, staff, and other resources: two non-profit organizations, each of which has its own mission and board of directors, and a related political action committee.[2]

  • Equality Maryland, Inc., is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization focused on direct and grassroots lobbying to pass laws in to further the organization's goals.[2]
  • Equality Maryland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) educational organization whose activities focus on outreach, education, research, community organizing, training, and coalition building.[2]
  • Equality PAC is a political action committee which supports pro-LGBT candidates.[2]

The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.[3]

Achievements

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2000-2009

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2010 – present

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Publications

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  • Heart of the Matter: Maryland's Same-Sex Couples Seek Justice for their Families[28]
  • Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective on Same-Gender Marriage[29]
  • Marriage Inequality in the State of Maryland[30]
  • What's In a Word? A Religious Perspective on Civil Marriage Equality[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (2016-01-06). "FreeState Legal, Equality Maryland to merge". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  2. ^ a b c d About Equality Maryland EqualityMaryland.org. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Member Organizations". Equality Federation. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  4. ^ Sean Bugg (March 29, 2007). "Transgender discrimination bill defeated in Maryland". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2007.
  5. ^ What's Their Real Problem With Gay Marriage?, New York Times Magazine, June 19, 2005 - retrieved August 29, 2007
  6. ^ Hagerty, Barbara Bradley. "Maryland Judge Rejects Gay-Marriage Ban". NPR.org. National Public Radio. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  7. ^ Conaway, et al. v. Deane, et al., Maryland Court of Appeals, Highlighted Cases - retrieved August 30, 2007
  8. ^ Rich, Eric (September 2007). "Maryland High Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  9. ^ Dao, James (May 21, 2005). "Partners Bill Is Vetoed by Governor in Maryland". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  10. ^ Sean Bugg (May 18, 2006). "State of Mind: Dan Furmansky and Equality Maryland's growing fight for the state's gay and lesbian community". Metro Weekly. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  11. ^ Waiting for the Same-Sex Marriage Ruling, Washington Post Blog, June 4, 2007 - retrieved August 30, 2007
  12. ^ a b Dan Furmansky. "Maryland: Ripe for Marriage Equality". eQualityGiving.org. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  13. ^ "Our History". First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. In 2007, the church hung a banner proclaiming Civil Marriage is a Civil Right from [the] columns of its portico as a [testament] to its commitment to equal rights for all. The message was adopted for GLBT rights group, Equality Maryland and now appears on signs and bumper stickers across the state. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d "Our Successes". EqualityMaryland.org. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  15. ^ a b c Najafi, Yusef. "Equality Maryland Executive Director Leaving, Says "Not My Choice to Leave"". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  16. ^ "Maryland DMV Halts Dangerous Policy Change". pflag.org. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  17. ^ Chibbaro, Jr, Lou (9 September 2010). "10 LGBT candidates running in Maryland". The Washington Blade. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  18. ^ Linskey, Annie (January 13, 2011). "Gay Marriage bill to be introduced by legislators". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  19. ^ "O'Malley suggests he would sign gay marriage bill". The Washington Post. September 2010. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  20. ^ "MD Senate Passes Marriage Bill". The Washington Blade. 24 February 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  21. ^ "Maryland House kills same-sex marriage bill for this year". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  22. ^ "1199 MD/DC Stands with Labor to Support Marriage Equality in Maryland". 1199seiu.org United Healthcare Workers East. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  23. ^ "Maryland House of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality Bill". MarylandersforMarriageEquality.org. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  24. ^ Md. gay marriage bill to become law Thursday afternoon, opponents begin referendum effort Washington Post. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  25. ^ Duncan, Ian (February 23, 2012). "Maryland Senate approves gay marriage bill". The LA Times. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  26. ^ Grindley, Lucas (February 17, 2012). "Last-Minute Win: Maryland House Passes Marriage". The Advocate. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  27. ^ Annie Linskey (March 8, 2012). "Poll shows slim majority supports gay marriage in Md". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  28. ^ "Heart of the Matter: Maryland's Same-Sex Couples Seek Justice for their Families". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  29. ^ "Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective on Same-Gender Marriage" (PDF). Equality Maryland. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  30. ^ Marriage Inequality in the State of Maryland Archived 2012-07-25 at the Wayback Machine. Equality Maryland. retrieved June 9, 2012.
  31. ^ "What's In a Word? A Religious Perspective on Civil Marriage Equality" (PDF). Equality Maryland. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
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