HUNDREDS SET TO RALLY FOR FAIRNESS
IN ANNAPOLIS ON VALENTINE'S DAY
Maya Marcel-Keyes, Daughter of Alan Keyes,
Joins Judy Shepard and Olga Vives as a Speaker
Maryland NOW Press
Release, February 9, 2005
ANNAPOLIS -- Just two weeks after an anti-gay rally in Annapolis decrying legal protections for families headed by same-sex couples,
Equality Maryland, Maryland's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization and
Maryland NOW, National Organization for Women, announced today a pro-fairness rally in front of the Maryland State House to coincide with the organization's annual lobby day on February 14.
The rally, scheduled for 5:00 p.m., will feature community leaders, extraordinary Maryland citizens, elected officials, as well as Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard.
Mrs. Shepard is a vocal supporter of hate crimes initiatives throughout the country and heads the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Its mission includes developing solutions to problems that are rooted in ignorance and hatred.
The National Organization for Women's Action Vice-President, Olga Vives, will also be speaking.
Ms. Vives is a lesbian activist who is nationally recognized for her many contributions to both the feminist and LGBT communities.
A notable addition to the roster of speakers is Maya Marcel-Keyes, a self-described "young queer activist," who is the daughter of ultra-conservative Alan Keyes, a political commentator who recently lost his bid for an Illinois Senate seat.
"Given the harsh rhetoric that has come from Alan Keyes over the past several years, many in the LGBT community will relate to Maya's story, and understand the complexities she faces in disagreeing so fundamentally with someone she loves," said Executive Director Dan Furmansky.
"It shows a tremendous amount of bravery and strength for someone to open up their heart and expose their life to the public in order to be an agent of change, and I commend Maya for doing just that."
The rally will focus partly on key elements of the 2005 legislative agenda, which includes defeating any anti-gay legislation, as well as passing the Medical Decision Making Act and Hate Crimes Penalties Act.
Other speakers addressing the crowd include parents of children who are gay, children of gay parents, elected officials, clergy, and leaders within the LGBT African-American community.
"The National Organization for Women (NOW) has had a long-term commitment to the LGBT community in this country and here in Maryland.
We are excited to participate in this year's activities and are proud that Olga Vives will be joining us," said Duchy Trachtenberg, President of Maryland.
"Olga has been one of the leading forces behind NOW's Equal Marriage initiative and is a strong voice for equality and justice for all."
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