Md. LGBT caucus is hard at work

By Morgan Meneses-Sheets

I am writing in response to the recent piece on the efforts to advance marriage for same-sex couples in Maryland. The article seemed to suggest that the newly enhanced LGBT Caucus is not helping to push through to the finish line on this important issue.

As an advocate doing the work each day in Maryland, we have no better partners than our gay and lesbian legislators. Each has played a very important role not only in helping to lobby on behalf of the many bills that we have worked on over the years, but also in educating their colleagues on the day-to-day concerns of our community.

Having out legislators makes a difference. LGBT people live in every area of our state and yet have not always been represented in the halls where decisions are made every day that have a real impact on our lives. The LGBT Caucus has helped to ensure that our voices are heard.

We are proud to go into the 2011 legislative session with seven openly gay and lesbian legislators standing by our side. They are already working with us to have the tough conversations with those folks we need to vote with us. They are already educating their colleagues on how this bill affects them personally, as well as the community at large.

We are proud to count the LGBT Caucus as partners in the important fights ahead.

(Morgan Meneses-Sheets is executive director of Equality Maryland.)