Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives to Hold First Meeting of Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs
Members will Select Director, Establish Goals
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office on Community Initiatives will host the first meeting of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs on Monday, January 3, 2022, at 6 p.m. The commission, established by House Bill 130 in the 2021 Maryland General Assembly session, will begin the process of selecting a director and establishing its goals.
“We are excited to get started on the work of this commission, which has been established to serve as a voice and a resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Marylanders,” said Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives Executive Director Steven McAdams. “Members of the public are encouraged to attend these meetings.”
The commission is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Maryland Senate, and charged with assessing challenges facing the community, collecting data across state agencies, and tracking the state’s progress. Members are initially tasked with selecting a director with approval of the governor. Among the mandated responsibilities of the commission are to monitor implementation of relevant state policies, promote resources and services for LGBTQ communities, and advocate for inclusion.
“I am so very proud that Maryland now has a home for open and safe discussion of issues for the LGBTQ community,” said Delegate Lily Qi, sponsor of the legislation forming the commission. “As an immigrant, I understand the need to be heard and to build understanding.”
Members of the commission are:
Joseph M. Clapsaddle (Arnold)
Joseph L. Toolan (Annapolis)
Det. Capt. Nicholas R. Augustine (Frederick)
Jabari M. Lyles (Baltimore)
Deborah L. Dunn (Laurel)
Sarcia Adkins (Hyattsville)
Amit Dhir (Baltimore)
Anthony E. Fox (Suitland)
Rowan Willis-Powell (Hyattsville)
Stephen J. Martin (Baltimore)
Mark D. Ridderhoff (Baltimore)
The first meeting will be held virtually, and attendees are required to register in advance.
