| Equality Maryland | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Maryland's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Civil Rights Organization |
| Formation | 1990 as Free State Justice 2004 renamed Equality Maryland |
| Headquarters | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Acting Executive Director | Lynne Bowman |
| Website | http://www.equalitymaryland.org/ |
Equality Maryland is a non-profit organization formerly headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, now based in Baltimore. Its activities focus on advocacy and education with regard to a number of LGBT social and political movements. Recently its goals have included the passage of laws to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity, expand Maryland's existing hate-crimes statute, increase availability of domestic partner benefits, and achieve legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Maryland.
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The organization began operations in 1990 under the name of Free State Justice, changing its name to Equality Maryland in 2004. It achieved a major legislative victory in 2001 with the passage of the Maryland Anti-Discrimination Act, which banned discrimination in Maryland on the basis of sexual orientation in the areas of housing, employment, lending, and public accommodations. In 2002 the organization succeeded in securing the passage of a Baltimore City ordinance banning discrimination against individuals based on gender identity and expression. One of its primary goals has been the passage of a law prohibiting this kind of discrimination statewide; in 2007, such a bill was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly, but was defeated in a Senate committee.[1]
In recent years, Equality Maryland has devoted significant resources toward the legal recognition of same-sex relationships. Most famously, in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union, it filed a lawsuit in 2004 to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage.[2] This case was heard before the Maryland Court of Appeals (the state's high court) in December, 2006; in September, 2007 the court ruled against the plaintiffs, leaving the statutory ban on same-sex marriage in place (see Same-sex marriage in Maryland).[3][4]
In 2005, the Maryland General Assembly passed two Equality Maryland-backed bills to created domestic partner registries to secure a limited number of legal benefits for same-sex couples, but the bills were vetoed by then-Governor Robert Ehrlich.[5] [6] [7]
In early 2007, Equality Maryland launched a high-profile campaign, Marylanders For Marriage, to increase public support for same-sex marriage in the state.[8] This campaign, which features the controversial motto "Civil Marriage is a Civil Right," has included the launch of a website, promotion at gay pride festivals and other events, and the distribution of yard signs and bumper stickers. These efforts have attracted attention around Maryland, both positive and negative.[9][10]
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.