Governor's Office of Community Initiatives

Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor: Proclamation ceremony for Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31, 2023. A recording of the full proclamation ceremony can be found here.

Under the Governor’s Offices of Community Initiatives the Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs was created by the 2021 Maryland General Assembly by HB130 and later altered by HB141 during the 2023 legislative session, which renamed the commission to the Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs and increased the number of members from 15 to 21. The Commission is mandated to assess the challenges facing LGBTQIA+ communities, study and establish best practices for inclusion, and offer testimony before legislative and administrative bodies.

Request a Pride Celebration Honor certificate of recognition from the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

The Pride Celebration Honor is a recognition awarded by the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs to organizations, community groups, or local governments that host public, inclusive, and affirming Pride celebrations. This honor acknowledges the commitment of local communities to foster visibility, belonging, and equity for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors throughout Maryland. Learn more about the recognition, eligibility, and how to submit a request here.

Mission:

To serve LGBTQIA+ Marylanders by galvanizing community voices, researching and addressing challenges, and advocating for policies to advance equity and inclusion.

Vision:

A Maryland where all LGBTQIA+ people are able to live full and authentic lives.

Values:

Equity and Justice: Advocating for equity, systemic change, and centering our most vulnerable community members.

Inclusion and Belonging: Creating affirming environments where historically excluded voices are uplifted, celebrated, and valued.

Integrity and Accountability: Acting transparently, ethically, and responsibly for the communities we serve.

Empowerment and Support: Providing resources, education, and support for individual and community growth.

Compassion and Empathy: Approaching work with intentionality and care to foster understanding and healing.

Collaboration and Community Focus: Working together across diverse communities to create systemic and collective change.

Joy and Liberation: Making space for celebration and love, promoting environments where individuals thrive authentically and freely.

Proactive and Innovative Progress: Continue to be a space of action, moving forward with new ideas and solutions.

Maryland LGBTQIA+ Resource Directory

The Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs is working to create a public resource directory of LGBTQIA+ affirming resources across the State. Submit your agency, organization or community group by completing our Resource Submission Form here.

Join Our Email List

The Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs is in the process of creating a newsletter to share meeting information, activities, community events, and more. Sign up for our email list here.

Publications

Transgender Day of Visibility Statement & Call to Action – Adopted 4.7.2025

Statement on the Federal Attacks on Transgender Marylanders – Adopted 3.10.2025

2025 Legislative Policy Priorities – Amended 2.21.2025

A Decade of Data: Meta-Analysis of Data and Insights on the Experiences of LGBTQIA+ People in Maryland – Adopted 1.13.2025

Post-Election LGBTQIA+ Community Insights Report – Adopted 1.13.2025

Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act – Adopted 1.13.2025

Urgent Call to Address HIV Funding Crisis in Maryland – Adopted 5.13.2024

2024 Policy Priorities, Recommendations, and Best Practices – Adopted 11.13.2023

Recommendations and Best Practices for LGBTQIA+ Inclusion for State Agencies – Adopted 11.13.2023

Recommendations for Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students – Adopted 9.11.2023

Annual Reports