A cold Monday morning in Annapolis did little to dampen the spirits of activists and lawmakers gathered outside the Maryland State House. With rainbow flags waving and banners held high, members of the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, alongside disability rights advocates, took to Lawyers Mall to make their voices heard. Their message? Loud and clear: “Our rights are not up for debate.”
LGBTQ+ Caucus Pushes Back Against Federal Rollbacks
The rally took place against the backdrop of a shifting national landscape. President Donald Trump, on the first day of his second term, swiftly rescinded dozens of executive orders signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Among the changes were rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and a policy redefining gender recognition at the federal level to only male and female.
For Del. Kris Fair (D-Frederick), chair of the Maryland LGBTQ+ Caucus, these actions amounted to a direct attack on marginalized communities.
“Trump officials are going to do everything they can to try to stop us from living our truly authentic selves,” Fair told the crowd. “But in Maryland, we can make that different.”
Fair, along with other lawmakers, emphasized that the state must continue to be a beacon of inclusion and equality, even as the federal government moves in the opposite direction.
Legislative Priorities Take Center Stage
With just five weeks left in the Maryland General Assembly’s legislative session, the caucus is pushing forward several key bills:
- Veterans’ Benefits Expansion: Senate Bill 491 and House Bill 699 aim to extend benefits to veterans discharged due to incidents linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, or military sexual trauma.
- State Medical Assistance Program: House Bill 1059, sponsored by Fair, seeks to establish a state-funded program to cover healthcare costs restricted by federal limitations, ensuring Marylanders receive necessary medical support.
- Culturally Diverse Curriculum Resolution: A joint resolution led by Fair in the House and Sen. Karen Lewis Young (D-Frederick) in the Senate calls for Maryland public schools to recognize the importance of a diverse curriculum. The resolution was heard in committee Monday, with a Senate hearing scheduled for Friday.
Fair stressed the urgency of passing these measures before the session ends, stating, “We need to act now to ensure protections remain in place for those who need them most.”
Business Leaders and Lawmakers Stand in Solidarity
Keith Holt, who recently became the first person of color to lead the Maryland LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, was among the rally’s key speakers. Holt emphasized the economic contributions of the LGBTQ+ community and the need for inclusive business policies.
Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery), another caucus member, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Trump administration—or its new influential advisor, billionaire Elon Musk.
“The occupants of the White House, President Musk and Vice President Trump, are doing everything in their power to erase the history, the contributions, and the presence of queer folks,” Acevero said. “But like every person who’s tried that before, those bigots will quickly realize that we ain’t going no damn where.”
His remarks drew loud cheers from the crowd, reinforcing the sense of resilience and determination among those in attendance.
Disability Advocates Join the Fight
The rally wasn’t just about LGBTQ+ rights. Advocates for Maryland’s developmentally disabled community also took part, calling for expanded services and stronger protections.
Among their key demands:
- Increased funding for disability support programs
- Better enforcement of accessibility laws
- Stronger workforce protections for people with disabilities
“The fight for equity includes all of us,” said one disability rights advocate addressing the crowd. “We cannot allow setbacks at the federal level to erase the progress we’ve made.”
A Defiant Maryland Moves Forward
As the sun set on a day of activism, one thing was clear: Maryland’s progressive lawmakers and advocates are not backing down. Whether through legislation, protests, or public pressure, they are committed to resisting federal rollbacks and ensuring the state remains a haven for equality.
“This is about dignity, this is about respect, and this is about justice,” Fair declared. “We won’t stop until all Marylanders are protected, no matter what happens in Washington.”
With five weeks left in the legislative session, the next few weeks will determine just how much of this agenda can be enacted before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
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