Equality Maryland, the largest LGBT civil rights group in Maryland, is hosting their 25th Anniversary Celebration on Oct 27. This advocacy celebration will take over the Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The purpose is to celebrate the history and all the accomplishments that have transformed Maryland to a state free of discrimination for all those who decide to live and love. From laws protecting transgender individuals, to sexual orientation and gender identity being included to state hate crimes, to getting marriage equality through the legislature and ballot box, Equality Maryland and all those involved have done so much for the LGBT community.
David Vignolo, Co-Chair for the Anniversary Gala, speaks to the importance of this event, “This event is Equality Maryland’s single largest fundraiser, and will help us have the resources necessary to continue our fight to eliminate prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, wherever it may manifest itself in our state.”
It is easy to see the importance of the work that Equality Maryland does and continues to do through their tireless efforts.
“What we have done, and will continue to do in the years ahead, will ensure a LGBT community in Maryland where everyone is treated equally with dignity and respect, where people from diverse backgrounds, races, ages, religions, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, economic statuses, and communities may live freely, without fear of discrimination, exclusion, or negative bias,” says Vignolo.
Senator Richard S. Madaleno, Jr.
One man dedicated to this dream is Senator Richard S. Madaleno, Jr., the honoree for the anniversary celebration, who was on the Board of Directors of Equality Maryland (then known as Free State Justice) from 1999 to 2002. Currently, he is the representative for Montgomery County’s 18th District in Annapolis and continues to strive for LGBT equality from that seat. He’s helped pass legislation that has benefited the LGBT community including medical decision making for domestic partners and is the sponsor pushing for the extension of protection for transgender individuals.
The evening would not be complete without musical entertainment and the Anniversary Celebration is chock full of it all. There’s JJ Nolis a country/pop singer whose rich voice soothes any soul, Steven Gellman whose everyday humorous lyrics keeps you humming and laughing along, and John Schratweiser a jack-of-all-trades performer. The good times don’t stop there guests will be amazed by the New Wave Singers, an LGBTS choral group, Jonathan Gilmore, a deep soul singer, SONiA aka Disappear Fear, a confront hypocrisies songwriter/singer, Raa Djarsi, a world-music band, and Lacey Liszt, an edgy and soulful singer.
It’s not too late to purchase your ticket and attend this celebration meant to revel in the accomplishments of Equality Maryland. You can get them from their website EqualityMaryland.org and if you’re a recent newlywed you even get a discount. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate LGBT equality.
