Our Shared Belief in Dignity

June is LGBT Pride month, an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to celebrating and protecting the dignity of every individual in Maryland.

As Marylanders, we believe that love is an unalienable right. We believe that the way forward is always to be found through greater respect for the equal rights of all of our friends, families, and neighbors. The common thread running through all our efforts together in Maryland is the thread of human dignity, our shared belief in the dignity of work, the dignity of faith, the dignity of family, the dignity of every single person.

In 2012, I signed the Civil Marriage Protection Act into law. The Act protects the dignity of every individual in Maryland by allowing same-sex couples to get a government-issued marriage license, while including important provisions to ensure fair protection for religious institutions.

When the act was brought before voters, we became the first state in the nation to uphold same-sex marriage at the ballot box. Clergy and faith-based leaders, community leaders, civic organizations, civil rights groups, and citizens of all backgrounds from across our State came together as one, ensuring that Maryland protected individual civil marriage rights and religious freedom equally.

We are One Maryland, and all of us, at the end of the day, want the same thing for our children: to live in a loving, stable, committed home recognized and protected equally under the law.

Soon after taking office, we expanded the definition of protected classes to include “gender identity and expression” under the state’s Code of Fair Employment practices. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of signing another victory for inclusion and openness in our State. The Fairness for All Marylanders Actensures that everyone, regardless of gender identity, is protected from discrimination under the law. Because of the Act, we are one step closer today to creating the open, respectful, inclusive world that we want for all of our children.

Marylanders stand on the side of fairness and progress, and we will keep moving forward together. Join in on the celebration and learn more about Maryland’s LGBT community at Baltimore Pride 2014, a wonderful weekend of exhibitions, vendors, and performances taking place June 13 through 15.