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.
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
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
By-laws
By-laws – Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs – Amended 7.8.2024
