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EMCQ is proud to provide information on candidates running for local office. As a non-profit organization, EMCQ does not endorse any candidate over another, but provides information the candidates have supplied. For more information on where the 2008 candidates stand on GLBT related issues, click here.

To learn about 2006 candidates, click here.

Issues

Maryland is a critical state for LGBT rights in our country and has made some great advancements over the years.  In other areas, we have a great deal of work to do.  For example:   

• The Free State is among 16 states that have a law in place that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. 

• Maryland has a regulation that prohibits harassment and/or discrimination based on sexual orientation in public schools.

• Discrimination on the basis of one's gender identity or expression is legal in most parts of Maryland.  However, in 2002, Baltimore City became the first jurisdiction to ban such discrimination.  Furthermore, Maryland law provides that transsexual individuals may amend their birth records after having their sex changed by surgical procedures.

• In 2005, Governor Ehrlich signed into law the Hate Crimes Penalties Act, joining the majority of states in this country that have statutes inclusive of crimes motivated by LGBT-animus.  Specifically, this legislation amends the state's 17-year-old hate crimes statute to include crimes motivated by a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Same-sex couples in Maryland are sometimes able to formalize a "second-parent" adoption so that their child has a legal relationship with both parents.

• Same-sex couples in Maryland, no matter how long they have been together, are legal strangers to each other under state law.

• Because it treats same-sex couples like strangers, the state of Maryland is free to discriminate against its gay and lesbian employees by denying domestic partner benefits while offering spousal benefits.

The best source for LGBT political information is Equality Maryland, the state's non-profit LGBT advocacy organization that works to ensure equal right for members of the GLBT community and their families throughout the state. Among their long-range goals is winning full marriage equality in Maryland.  As we await word from a Baltimore Circuit Court in our marriage lawsuit(click here), they are working to block a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage.

Equality Maryland employs strategies that include lobbying elected officials; building public support by garnering media coverage; engaging key constituencies, allied organizations, faith and community leaders; identifying and mobilizing LGBT citizen activists, spokespeople and emerging leaders; and shaping the outcome of elections to ensure a majority pro-LGBT general assembly.

For more information about how you can get involved, visit: www.EqualityMaryland.org or contact info@EqualityMaryland.org.

Maryland State Delegates

Anne R. Kaiser, District 14

Richard S. Madaleno, Jr., District 18

Maryland General Assembly

Maryland General Assembly

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