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Maryland

Md. presses federal government for more monkeypox vaccine doses

State has 129 confirmed cases

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(Photo by HalfPoint via Bigstock)

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Health on Tuesday pressed the federal government for more monkeypox vaccine doses to states.

ā€œWhile vaccine supply from the federal government is severely limited at this time, anyone who believes that they may need testing or treatment should contact their healthcare provider or local health department immediately.ā€ Hogan said in a statement that detailed updated information about monkeypox. ā€œWe will keep pressing the federal government to provide more vaccines to the states and do all we can to make resources available to those at risk.ā€

ā€œWe want to emphasize that the goal is limiting the spread of the virus and vaccinating those who may have been exposed in the prior two weeks,ā€ Deputy Secretary of Public Health Services Jinlene Chan added. ā€œDue to the limited supply of the vaccine from the federal government, the state is working closely with local health partners to make doses available in a manner that focuses on locations that have case counts and higher-risk populations. We plan to expand access to the vaccine as more supply becomes available.ā€

According to the latest release, 3,202 patients will be able to get the two-dose Jynneos vaccine in Maryland, as allocated by the federal government. Vaccination priority will be given to identified close contacts and health workers exposed to infection. People whose sexual partners have been diagnosed over the last two weeks and those who are members of high-risk populations will be able to access the vaccine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported there are 129 lab-confirmed monkeypox cases in Maryland, constituting 2.2 percent of cases nationwide. Most of the reported cases have been found in the National Capital Region.Ā 

Individuals who believe they were exposed to monkeypox or have similar symbols should contact their medical provider. People without a provider or insurance should visit health.maryland.gov/CSTIP/local to find contact information for their local health department.

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Maryland

Originally charged with hate crimes, Salisbury University students now face misdemeanor charges

Suspects allegedly attacked man they met on Grindr

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Twelve Salisbury University students who were initially charged with hate crimes are facing trial on misdemeanor charges in the next week. (Photo by Wesley Lapointe for the Baltimore Banner)

The first three Salisbury University students charged in an attack on a man they allegedly lured to an off-campus apartment using a dating app are set to stand trial this week.

Dylan Pietuszka, 20, Logan Clark, 20, and Sean Antone, 19, are among the 15 Salisbury students who in early November were taken into custody in connection with the attack and charged with hate crimes.

All three men standing trial this week are only facing two charges: Second degree assault and false imprisonment, which are both misdemeanors.

The rest of this article can be read on the Baltimore Banner’s website.

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Maryland

Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus to hold town hall on Eastern Shore

Delmarva Pride Center, DoCoPride to co-host Wednesday event

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(Washington Blade photo by Ernesto Valle)

The Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus on Wednesday will hold a town hall with the Delmarva Pride Center and DoCoPride that will focus on legal protections for LGBTQ Marylanders.

The town hall will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Waterfowl Building (40 S. Hanson St.) in Easton. It will also be virtual for those who cannot attend in person.

A press release notes elected officials and ā€œstate and federal legal expertsā€ will talk about ā€œthe current status of protections for LGBTQ+ Marylanders and what the future may hold.ā€

ā€œAs Maryland prepares for the incoming federal administration, the LGBTQ+ Caucus is steadfast in reaffirming Marylandā€™s commitment to supporting all of its residents,ā€ said state Del. Kris Fair (D-Frederick County), who chairs the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus. ā€œCoordination will be critical to building a comprehensive package of legislation that affirms the unique lived experiences of all its residents ā€” especially queer, nonbinary, and transgender people targeted by harmful legislation.ā€

Tina Jones, co-founder and chair of the Delmarva Pride Center in Easton, in the press release notes the LGBTQ community ā€œis facing unprecedented levels of bias and potential harm at this time.ā€

ā€œAs part of our safe spaces initiative, we are honored to have this opportunity to partner with the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus and DoCo Pride to educate folks on their rights and stand together to say hate, bias, and harm have no place on the Eastern Shore or anywhere in Maryland,ā€ said Jones.

Registration for the event is here:

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Maryland

HIV decriminalization bill is FreeState Justiceā€™s top 2025 legislative priority

Measure named in honor of Carlton Smith, a prominent activist who died last year

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A bill that would decriminalize HIV in Maryland is a top legislative priority for FreeState Justice in 2025.

FreeState Justice Community Advocacy Manager Ronnie Taylor told the Washington Blade on Wednesday the Carlton R. Smith Jr. HIV Modernization Act seeks to repeal ā€œoutdated and stigmatizing laws that criminalize the transfer of HIV, bringing Marylandā€™s public health laws in line with modern science and best practices.ā€

The bill is named after Carlton Smith, a long-time LGBTQ activist known as the ā€œmayorā€ of Baltimoreā€™s Mount Vernon neighborhood who died last May. A similar measure died in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in 2024.

ā€œThe bill emphasizes public health education, anti-discrimination measures, and access to care, ensuring those living with HIV are supported rather than penalized,ā€ said Taylor.

Taylor pointed out FreeState Justice is working with the Maryland Legislative LGBTQIA+ Caucus and the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs to build support for four additional bills and policy objectives.

ā€¢ The Birth Certificate Modernization Act would ā€œstreamline the process for amending gender markers on birth certificates to make it more accessible and affirming.ā€

ā€¢ The Commission on History, Culture and Civics would create ā€œan inclusive commission to center marginalized voices in Maryland’s history, culture, and civics education.ā€

ā€¢ The implementation of ā€œinclusive and diverse English Language Arts Standardsā€ in public schools that would ensure ā€œcurricula reflect diverse identities and lived experiences, fostering a more inclusive learning environment for students.ā€

ā€¢ The creation of a ā€œcomprehensive health education frameworkā€ that would establish ā€œa robust and inclusive health education framework for primary and secondary schools, focusing on equity and affirming all students.ā€

Taylor noted FreeState Justice is also ā€œexploring ways to supportā€ Compassion and Choices, a group that advocates for assisted dying, in their efforts in support of the Honorable Elijah E. Cummings End of Life Option Act. 

ā€œThe act has profound historical significance for LGBTQIA+ communities, as end-of-life options were first championed during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1990s, highlighting the importance of dignity and choice,ā€ said Taylor.

She added the ā€œlegislative efforts reflect FreeState Justiceā€™s commitment to advancing equity and dignity for LGBTQIA+ Marylanders through policy advocacy and community collaboration.ā€

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