‘We’re Fighting Back’

Maryland AG Brown offers reassurances to LGBTQIA+ Community.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown

At a fundraising event for Democrat Delegate Kris Fair (District 3, Frederick), Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown forcefully reassured concerned LGBTQIA+ community members and allies that Maryland is actively pushing back on threats to hard-earned rights from the federal government. The event took place on October 28 at the historic Bentztown Bar and Restaurant in downtown Frederick, Md. Nearly 100 attended including LGBTQIA+ community members, business leaders, members of the Maryland General Assembly as well as city and county officials.

Following opening remarks by State Senator Karen Lewis Young (D-3) and Fair, Brown, assured those in attendance that Maryland has been using all the tools at its disposal to combat executive orders from President Trump and agency actions that attempt to limit the rights of LGBTQIA+ persons.

These actions have been aimed at eliminating programs that address discrimination in federal and federally funded programs, denying transgender youth necessary health care, making schools unsafe for transgender and gender non-conforming students, denying protections for LGBTQIA+ people in the workplace, and other measures.

Brown, a long-time supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights and who has a transgender son, pointed out that Maryland law continues to provide protections from discrimination for persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and federal policy can only override state law in limited circumstances. He noted that the Maryland Medical Assistance Program—Maryland’s version of Medicaid—requires gender-affirming care be provided in a non-discriminatory manner.

Brown said the state is fighting back and taking bold steps against threats to the community.  “We are using amicus briefs in pending cases, and we are filing lawsuits—many lawsuits,” said Brown, in an effort to combat the federal actions.

Del. Kris Fair (l.) and Anthony Brown

Acting as a moderator sitting across from Brown on a stage in an informal conversational format, Kris Fair, the event’s host, served up several questions, and audience members added some of their own. Fair, who is seeking re-election to the House of Delegates, is chair of the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus and is one of 10 openly LGBTQ members of the General Assembly.

One question that had particular interest to the audience involved the status of marriage equality as the U.S. Supreme Court on November 7 is poised to decide whether or not to take up the matter of overturning the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision of 2015. The questioner wanted to know what would happen if the Court takes the case and rules to overturn it as was done in Roe v. Wade.

Brown emphasized that same-sex marriage is legal in Maryland and will continue to be so. He was uncertain as to whether or not other states will recognize the legal marriages in Maryland and was unsure how federal benefits (such as, joint tax returns, etc.) would be affected.

“I’m hopeful that the Supreme court will leave it alone and not overturn it,” Brown emphasized. He believes that since marriage equality is viewed very favorably by the public, the Court is mindful of that.

“These are deeply unsettling times for queer people across the country and even here in Maryland.” Kris Fair, whom Senator Young referred to as 'a rising star,' told me following the event. “Understanding the threats our community faces and the misinformation being spread is essential. Attorney General Brown and his team have been steadfast since January 20^th, ensuring Marylanders are informed, supported, and protected.”

He added, “It was an honor to stand alongside him as we equipped our community with the most powerful tool we have: a clear plan to organize, take action, and fight back.”

Kris Fair and Anthony Brown