Maryland

Md. House committee to hold hearing on bill to ban transgender kids from sports teams

State Del. Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County) introduced HB 47

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A Maryland House of Delegates committee on Wednesday is scheduled to hold a hearing on a bill that would bar transgender children from joining school sports teams consistent with their gender identity.

State Del. Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County) introduced House Bill 47, which is also called the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act. State Dels. Lauren Arikan (R-Harford County), Brian Chisholm (R-Anne Arundel County), Mark Fisher (R-Calvert County), Robin Grammer, Jr. (R-Baltimore County), Thomas Hutchinson (R-Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot and Wicomico Counties), Nicholaus Kipke (R-Anne Arundel County), Robert Long (R-Baltimore County), Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County), Susan McComas (R-Harford County), April Miller (R-Frederick County), Matthew Morgan (R-St. Mary’s County), Todd Morgan (R-Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties), Rachel Munoz (R-Anne Arundel County), Ryan Nawrocki (R-Baltimore County), Stuart Michael Schmidt, Jr. (R-Anne Arundel County) and Chris Tomlinson (R-Frederick and Carroll Counties) have co-sponsored the measure.

The House Ways and Means Committee will consider it.

“Policies with regard to participation in sports are easy to create; there should be no special allowances or rules for gender identity,” said Szeliga in a statement, according to WJLA. “Bodies play sports, not identities.”

“As a society, we can celebrate the differences of individuals but hold bodies accountable in sports,” added the Baltimore County Republican. “The future of every female athlete counts on it.”

The House Ways and Means Committee in 2022 killed the same bill that Szeliga introduced.

Democrats control both houses of the Maryland General Assembly.

Governor Wes Moore, who is also a Democrat, last May signed the Trans Health Equity Act, which requires Maryland’s Medicaid program to cover gender-affirming treatments. The law took effect on Jan. 1.

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Maryland

Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving House Democrat, to retire from Congress

Md. congressman served for years in party leadership

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Baltimore Banner

At 86, Steny Hoyer is the latest in a generation of senior-most leaders stepping aside, making way for a new era of lawmakers eager to take on governing. (Photo by KT Kanazawich for the Baltimore Banner)

By ASSOCIATED PRESS and LISA MASCARO | Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the longest-serving Democrat in Congress and once a rival to become House speaker, will announce Thursday he is set to retire at the end of his term.

Hoyer, who served for years in party leadership and helped steer Democrats through some of their most significant legislative victories, is set to deliver a House floor speech about his decision, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it.

“Tune in,” Hoyer said on social media. He confirmed his retirement plans in an interview with the Washington Post.

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

Maryland

Joseline Peña-Melnyk elected Md. House speaker

Family immigrated to New York City from the Dominican Republic

Published

4 weeks ago

December 16, 2025

Baltimore Banner

Maryland House speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk addresses the chamber after being sworn in. (Photo by Jerry Jackson for the Baltimore Banner)

By PAMELA WOOD | Moments after being elected speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Tuesday, state Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk stood before the chamber and contemplated her unlikely journey to that moment.

Born in the Dominican Republic, the Peña family lived in a small wooden house with a leaky tin roof and no indoor plumbing. Some days, she said, there was no food to eat.

When she was 8 years old, the family immigrated to New York City, where Peña-Melnyk was dubbed “abogadito” or “little lawyer” for helping her mother and others by translating at social services offices.

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

Maryland

FreeState Justice launches 501(c)(4) group

FreeState Equality will focus on policy and advocacy

Published

1 month ago

December 5, 2025

Shreya Jyotishi

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

FreeState Justice, an LGBTQ organization that provides legal services, community programs, and public education in Maryland, announced the launch of FreeState Equality on Wednesday.

The new, independent organization intends to pursue advocacy and policy work beyond the legal capability of FreeState Justice, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. FreeState Equality functions as a 501(c)(4) organization, meaning it can partake in political activity.

“We are committed to transparency throughout this process and look forward to continuing our work together in service of LGBTQ+ Marylanders,” said FreeState Justice Executive Director Phillip Westry.

FreeState Equality will take on policy, advocacy, and civic engagement initiatives while FreeState Justice will pursue legal and direct-service work, according to Westry.

While both organizations adhere to similar values, they will feature separate leadership, operations and compliance.

FreeState Equality is hosting its first launch fundraiser on Dec. 10 at the Brass Tap in Baltimore. The event, held from 5-7 p.m., will feature insight from FreeState Equality staff about how Maryland policy can support the state’s LGBTQ community.

Attendees can purchase fundraiser tickets on Zeffy for $25 general admission, which includes a free first drink. The organization also welcomes additional donations.