Our Commitment to Equality

Noah with his sign

Noah and I spent our morning on the corner between the House and Senate buildings in Annapolis with Noah's "Toddlers for Equality" sign as well as our "Love is Love" and "I love my transgender sibling" signs. Noah met a new Delegate today, Delegate Ariana Kelly who stopped by to get an adorable picture of Noah and his sign. A man named Shawn who I recognized from our county delegations public hearing came up to us.

"Can I stand with you? I'm alone because my husband couldn't be here, and I'd like to stand with you." He smiled at Noah's sign.

"Of course, I remember your husband and you. Your husband gave a very spirited speech at the county hearing."

Noah laughing with Shawn

"I just wanted to be here today so that I could tell our future children that I was here today, and that I fought so we could be a family." Shawn stood with us for the rest of the morning, chatting, laughing with Noah and sharing stories with us.

We left Shawn this morning full of hope for the future of equality in our state.

Noah and me with Noah's sign

This afternoon, the House of Delegates in Maryland recommitted the Marriage Bill. What this means is the bill goes back to the Judiciary Committee and the future of the bill this year is unclear. It is highly likely we won't see the bill come up again until next year.

When Noah and I first heard the news, we were in the drive-thru line stopping for fries for me on our way back to Annapolis after a short break at home in between our trips today. When we heard the news, I burst into tears in the front seat of our car, and Noah, upon hearing me cry, cried too.

I wanted to scream. I didn't understand what happened.

We had been heading to Annapolis anyway to be with the Equality Maryland folks and other supporters of the bill so we decided after a little chat to keep heading there. Our timing was off though so we missed the rally of supporters after the announcement, but we caught a few familiar faces and talked to folks about next steps.

Noah wondering where do we go from here under the Equal Justice Under Law Pillars

This maneuver was apparently one we would prefer to having had the delegates vote and vote against the equality bill.

It is 2011, and I'm 31 years old. I have no idea why we have to fight this fight. Protections and equality under the law should be a given right now.

My heart is broken, but Noah, Ash and I are committed to seeing this through. Whether I have to work to get the Defense of Marriage Act repealed on a national level or equality passed in Maryland, I am fully committed to making sure I am on the correct side of history on this issue.

I am the ultimate optimist. I believe in love. I have a family that proves that the law can change. We know we couldn't have been a family 40 years ago, and families that have to work against stereotypes and discrimination are stronger and more loving in my opinion. There is something about knowing that people died and fought with everything they had for you to be married that makes you appreciate it so much more.

To my LGBT loved ones and friends. I am on your team, and I am not going to let us lose this battle. We will get equal rights in all 50 states. We can start with Maryland or move bigger, but I will help make this happen. A fire was ignited in me as our family or just I traveled to Annapolis to stand on street corners, lobby our legislators, testify at hearings and talk to people this matters to.

Shawn, I hope Chris and you are together right now. I hope some day soon, you can throw the big wedding Chris dreams about having in Maryland. My heart is broken, and I cannot imagine how you two feel. But I am so happy you have each other to hold and love. That's what this is all about. We'll fight along with you for your love to be protected.

I'll leave you with the song Noah and I are listening to on repeat to feel better. It happens to be a song of Ash's.