Comments on: Equality Maryland board chair resigns

By: David

David — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:33:05 +0000

There are two David’s posting here. I was a major donor to EM annually for at least 8 years, served in a variety of volunteer capacities, organized my delegation lobby group for lobby days twice, and have volunteered in other ways through the years. I’ve never ranted on this website or anywhere. And have not seen the other David ranting here. He’s frustrated, that’s clear. So am I.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:33:12 +0000

I agree with David, as do most of the group who I saw this weekend, where this was the main topic of conversation. But let’s not try to move ahead with fresh faces and ideas, let’s fight among ouselves and set the movement back. It’s much more gay!

By: Diogenes

Diogenes — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 17:19:05 +0000

To all the Davids of the world — where have you and your strategic advice been all these years ? Have you ever donated your time or money or service to Equality Maryland ?

And if you have — why aren’t you trying to talk to the organizational leaders directly ? Do you really expect ANYONE to take seriously the ranting of an anonymous voice on an internet website ?

Or perhaps, that is all you really have to offer.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:00:32 +0000

I agree with you except that EQMD is a brand and the name is worth keeping. While it has been tarnished in the past month, this is mainly something only in some gays minds, those that are paying attention. No one else reads these articles or is in tune and so EQMD simply remains a name to them and something positive or representative of the fight in our state. This is a blip on the radar and no one will remember it in 2 or 5 or 10 years and the fight will last long beyond that. These orgs go up and down and up and down – the key is to get up and not be permanently damaged. So I say keep the name, but go with the rest of what you are recommending.

By: Frankie

Frankie — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:38:59 +0000

Unlike the handful of people who post comments here, there are several Marylanders out there actually engaging with Equality Maryland in a constructive way. Those people know that this past year Equality Maryland hired what most in Annapolis consider the best lobbying firm in town. In addition, several current and former Equality Maryland board members have extensive “connections” with the Maryland legislators and other high-ranking State officials. So the criticisms of David, and people who have posted comments on related articles here, stem from rank ignorance.

By: David

David — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:35:41 +0000

This organization’s brand is damaged beyond repair. There would be no sense by MD legislators that they have any reason to fear voting “no” on marriage, b/c EQMD is in no position to punish them at the ballot box. And there would be no confidence whatsoever that EQMD could manage a statewide campaign to defend any marriage law in a referendum.

The best thing now would be for the organization to die. A new organization – new name and new people – should be created. It will need to be managed by professionals – people with actual lobbying experience, with some connections in the MD legislature, and people with serious experience in both fundraising and campaigning. This group should cut a deal to get civil unions this year or next. Then in a few years, with money, clout and expertise in hand, they can get marriage and send Rep. Sam Arora to the unemployment line.