Local
No progress on key LGBT priorities during Md. session
Equality Maryland director looks back as legislature adjourns
The executive director of Equality Maryland said although state lawmakers didn’t act this year on two LGBT priorities, progress was made in the recently ended legislative session.
Morgan Meneses-Sheets talked with DC Agenda about that progress, this year’s biggest accomplishments and disappointments and the work that remains to be done.
DC Agenda: You just experienced your first Maryland General Assembly session as executive director. What are your thoughts regarding the process?
Morgan Meneses-Sheets: While we are disappointed that our two key priorities — marriage equality and gender identity anti-discrimination — did not move this year, we have made progress. We knew going into the 2010 session that it was a building year. The Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act gained four new co-sponsors in the General Assembly, including the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, where the bill is heard in the State Senate. …
The Gender Identity & Expression Anti-Discrimination Act gained four new co-sponsors from key geographic areas across the state. For the first time, the Maryland AFL-CIO came out in support of the gender identity bill and testified at the hearings. This is a big move forward in terms of our relationships with the labor community. We also had a wide range of coalition partners standing with us on these bills and other proactive efforts.
We are also pleased that we were successful in halting a large number of bills aimed at rolling back our rights, including bills to invalidate out-of-state [marriage] licenses, bills to halt state agencies from honoring out-of-state licenses and constitutional amendments that could have not only eliminated future access to civil marriage, but also prevented any type of recognition, including the many partnership protections that we won in the past, including medical decision making, the inheritance tax exemption and hospital visitation.
DC Agenda: What do you see as your major accomplishment and what was your biggest disappointment during the session?
Meneses-Sheets: It was a busy session. We worked hard to continue to build momentum and prevent setbacks. We organized successful hearings, had a large lobby day turnout, generated media attention, engaged activists and lobbied legislators, mobilized new activists, held legislative briefings and identified new coalition partners. We are in a stronger position than at the start of the session and that in itself is truly a major accomplishment. …
For me, the biggest disappointment was the turn of events around the de facto parent bill. This bill provides an individual who has served in a parental role with a minor child with the duties and obligations, as well as the protections of being viewed as a de facto parent by judicial determination. An individual must satisfy a set of standards to be granted de facto parent status in order to be granted the right to request custody and visitation. …
Children deserve the continuity and security of having lasting relationships with those who parent them. Sadly, this bill never had a chance because our opponents [acted] to twist a procedural rule to forward their anti-gay agenda on the back of this bill. We were warned that because marriage is under Family Law and custody is under Family Law that they would have the ability to add an amendment to this bill that would prevent the recognition of the [state] attorney general’s opinion [recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages]. We were concerned that they might have the votes in committee to do so. We had also heard threats that they would try to wage a nasty battle on the floor to strip protections for same-sex couples. We talked with our sponsors and in the end had to agree to pull the bill.
This is a truly sad example of how the political process can work at times. It is also yet another example of anti-gay extremists ignoring their own pleas for family values when they ignore the needs of our families and our children in order to advance their personal agendas.
DC Agenda: By the end of 2010, we will have completed four years with a Democratic governor and a majority of Democrats in the General Assembly. But other than adding names as co-sponsors, the bills to provide transgender protections and marriage equality have not advanced out of committee. Why should the next four years be any different?
Meneses-Sheets: A great deal of progress has been made in the past four years. We expanded protections available to LGBT couples, including statutes to protect hospital visitation and medical decision-making and a repeal of the inheritance tax for domestic partners. We beat back efforts to repeal rights for transgender residents of Montgomery County. We also successfully fought back each and every attempt to set us back. There are many states where that is not the case. This in itself is something to celebrate. We continue to gain ground in Maryland in our efforts to create true and lasting equality.
Adding new co-sponsors is an important endeavor. These are people signing their name on the dotted line and committing to stand with us when these important issues come up for a vote. This is also proof of the ever-increasing momentum behind equality not only here in Maryland, but throughout the country. … The next four years can and should hold much more for the LGBT community.
District of Columbia
JR.’s hosts meet & greet for mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George
Event organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, Queers for Janeese
D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George spoke to a crowd of LGBTQ supporters on June 1 at a meet & greet event held at JR.’s on 17th Street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
The event, organized by Capital Stonewall Democrats, which has endorsed Lewis George for mayor, with support from a group called Queers for Janeese, was followed by a “get out the vote” canvassing endeavor in which several of those attending the meet & greet visited the homes of nearby residents known to be Lewis George supporters.
The purpose of the canvassing was to remind Lewis George supporters to return their mail-in ballots or go to the polls on June 16 to elect Lewis George as the city’s next mayor, according to Matthew Kavanagh, one of the leaders of Queers for Janeese who attended the meet & greet event at JR.’s.
Local political observers consider Lewis George, a Ward 4 D.C. Council member, and former At-Large D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie, to be the two leading candidates in this year’s race for mayor. The two are among seven mayoral candidates competing in the city’s June 16 Democratic primary.
Lewis George told those attending the meet & greet, which was held on the JR.’s outdoor patio, that she has a long record of advocating for and initiating city polices and laws in support of the LGBTQ community. She said large corporate donors were backing her opponents and urged her LGBTQ supporters to help raise funds for her in the remaining days of the campaign.
Among those attending the meet & greet was gay longtime Dupont Circle civic activist Randy Downs who last November opened a nearby eatery called Protest Pizza. “I am queer and I am a Janeese supporter,” Downs told the Blade.
Stevie McCarty, president of Capital Stonewall Democrats, who also spoke at the meet & greet event, said his group would organize events in support of Lewis George in the remaining days of the campaign. Among them, he said, was an LGBTQ bar crawl in which supporters of Lewis George, including the candidate herself, would visit LGBTQ bars to promote her candidacy.
Virginians for Marriage Equality on Monday launched a campaign in support of repealing Virginia’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman, former state Sen. Adam Ebbin, former state Del. Mark Sickles, and American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia Executive Director Mary Bauer are among those who spoke at the launch that took place in Richmond. State Del. Kirk McPike (D-Alexandria), who co-chairs the campaign, also participated.
“This amendment is about making clear that the government has no business deciding which marriages or which families are worthy of recognition,” said Bauer. “The ACLU of Virginia has been fighting for Virginians’ right to marry who they love since the landmark case, Loving v. Virginia, which struck down the ban on interracial marriage. Now we are proud to carry that legacy forward by standing with our coalition partners in the fight to pass this amendment and finally enshrine the right to marriage equality in the commonwealth’s constitution.”
Voters in 2006 approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment.
Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is a Republican, in 2024 signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.
Two successive legislatures must approve a proposed constitutional amendment before it can go to the ballot.
Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger in February signed a bill that finalized the referendum’s language.
The referendum will take place on Nov. 3.
Rehoboth Beach
CAMP Rehoboth’s new director shares plans for busy summer
Dr. Robin Brennan on joyful approach to leadership role
Dr. Robin Brennan, CAMP Rehoboth’s new executive director, has been getting adjusted to her role and connecting with the Rehoboth community.
In March of this year, Brennan took on the role of executive director of CAMP Rehoboth, an LGBTQ+ community center in Delaware working to Create A More Positive (CAMP) environment, following the retirement of Kim Leisey.
When asked about her first few months with CAMP, Brennan said that she’s “in the listening and learning phase.”
“The first few months have been overwhelmingly beautiful, with such warm wishes from so many really diverse groups,” said Brennan.
“The more time that I’ve been at CAMP, it’s almost like I have more questions and more admiration for the solid foundation that it has,” said Brennan. She explained that she is taking her time to listen and connect with the Rehoboth community during these crucial first months.
She spoke to the stressful nature of this work, saying, “This work takes a lot of resiliency, especially being in a front-facing position as executive director of an organization. There’s so much pressure on this to be successful.”
Brennan is no stranger to high-pressure work environments, having worked in the public health field during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brennan earned a doctorate in public health from Drexel University and has spent nearly two decades working in higher education, which she says greatly influences her approach to her work.
“I am always giving back to and mentoring students, that’s always been a part of who I am,” said Brennan. She said that the adaptability and flexibility she practiced during her time as a professor influences her work, noting, “I think that to be flexible is a key to success.”
Aside from her tenure in academia, Brennan has worked for nonprofits, including with organizations such as Redeemer Health and Nemours Children’s Health.
Leslie Ledogar, president of CAMP’s board of directors, said that Brennan’s joyful approach to this work made her stand out in the search for a new executive director.
“I think that I’ve always naturally been positive and joyful because if I don’t, I will burn out,” said Brennan.
For Brennan, honoring CAMP’s legacy remains a top priority in her role at CAMP. “For me, legacy is so critical, so I want to honor the legacy that this foundation was built on.”
When asked about DEI funding cuts by the Trump administration, Brennan shared how she is navigating an administration that is targeting organizations like CAMP.
“This administration doesn’t open doors for opportunities. As a nimble nonprofit organization, we have always had to be creative,” said Brennan.
She said that she “would never want CAMP Rehoboth to rely on federal dollars, regardless of what type of political administration we’re in. I think relying on any kind of dollars or funding is problematic.”
“We need to stay creative and innovative, not chase money, and also our ears need to be listening to what our community needs,” said Brennan.
As younger members of the LGBTQ+ community grow disheartened by the growing attacks on queer rights, Brennan shared her thought process behind helping younger members of the community.
“I think my number one thing is to listen to them, to ensure that they know their voice is valuable. That’s the most important thing before giving advice is to listen to their concerns, their needs, their fears, their struggles,” said Brennan.
“They may not be your struggles, but ultimately, as a human being, they’re all of our struggles.”
Brennan brought up PRISM, CAMP’s social group for young LGBTQ+ adults to gather in community and experience new activities with likeminded young adults. This group offers a safe space where members can form connections with one another to build a sense of belonging.
Throughout the interview, Brennan reiterated her admiration for CAMP and the community it has brought to Rehoboth for decades.
“There is no place like CAMP Rehoboth, and what it has done for Rehoboth or what it has done for countless individuals who see it as an escape and a place of freedom, visibility, belonging, and hope,” said Brennan.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Brennan said that she first visited Rehoboth in 1996 as a young gay person. “I felt at home. I could breathe,” said Brennan. She said that she has been a frequent visitor ever since and bought a house in town three years ago.
Brennan shared how happy she is to have her teenage daughter growing up with Rehoboth in her life. She said that her ideal day in Rehoboth involves going to the beach, trying new food, and enjoying time with her friends and family that live in the area.
As the summer season commences, Brennan shared that there is a plethora of upcoming events for members of the community to attend and enjoy.
Brennan highlighted the CAMP Women’s Golfing League, which is getting started on June 4 with tickets on sale now for CAMP Rehoboth members.
The CAMP Rehoboth Chorus is singing to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. on June 19 with tickets on sale now.
This year also marks the 35th anniversary of CAMP, which will be celebrated with Pride in the Courtyard on June 26.
Brennan was excited to promote CAMP’s new partnership with Beebe Healthcare starting this summer. The partnership is designed to expand access to patient-centered health services in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
“Relying on this partnership will be critical to the success of the health of our community,” said Brennan.
Brennan also talked about SUNFESTIVAL, which will be held during Labor Day weekend and will feature David Archuleta as the headliner.
Lastly, Brennan highlighted CAMP’s annual Block Party, which is held each October. “We shut down several streets, we have 100 vendors, and it’s a beautiful way for the whole community to come together to wrap up the summer,” said Brennan.
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