“Zan, Zendegi, Azadi. Women, life, freedom.” Michelle Siri of the Women’s Law Center shared the rallying cry of Iran’s current women’s revolution at the 6th annual Gender Justice Rally Monday in Annapolis. “We are fighting for the same things here in this country right now. Not over in Iran but right here in America. We are fighting for freedom of bodily autonomy. We are fighting for our livelihoods, and we are fighting for our physical safety.”
Executive Alliance and the Women Legislators of Maryland, along with Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Pro-Choice of Maryland, MCASA, the Women’s Law Center and Maryland NOW brought together advocates and lawmakers to highlight 11 important bills making their way through Maryland’s General Assembly session. Lawmakers discussed bills focusing on economic justice, access to healthcare, including gender affirming care for trans people, bodily safety and reproductive rights.
Delegate Leslie Lopez (District 39) and President of the Women Legislators of Maryland kicked off the rally, saying “We are living history. With the roll back of our right to autonomy in the Dobbs decision, women’s issues are front and center in politics and policy. The Women’s Legislative Caucus is uniquely positioned to lead in our state. I am excited to work with our dedicated caucus members and advocacy partners to highlight these important pieces of legislation and make positive change for all Marylanders.”
An enthusiastic crowd, many holding signs supporting trans health and abortion access and wearing pink Planned Parenthood scarves, cheered legislators and advocates as they shared details on pending legislation and action steps where the public could get more involved. Comptroller Brooke Lierman stopped by to lend her support and Secretary of State Susan Lee spoke out in favor of repealing spousal defense of rape.
“We are going to protect your right to provide legally protected healthcare including abortion,” Delegate Nicole Williams (District 22) said to loud applause. Maryland legislators plan more protections for abortion rights and access. Sharon Blugis of Pro-Choice Maryland referenced the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022 as a galvanizing motivation for some of the reproductive rights bills moving through the legislature. Newly-appointed Senator Ariana Kelly (District 16) said “After the Dobbs decision, I wept. Then I got to work,” as she explained leadership’s constitutional amendment 
protecting abortion. She went on to say “Leaders in Annapolis and Governor Moore have our back in this fight. All of the leaders are working in lockstep towards the same goal: protecting reproductive healthcare in Maryland.” Senator Shelly Hettleman (District 11) declared “If you come here for care, your information can stay here and be protected” about her bill providing protections to those who perform abortions for people traveling from states with more restrictive abortion laws.
The fight for freedoms starts with bodily safety, Siri shared in her introduction, and Delegate Sandy Bartlett (District 32) emphasized legislation that would increase protections and diversions for victims of child sex trafficking and human trafficking. Secretary Lee focused on the long fight to repeal the prohibition on prosecuting sex crimes against a victim who is the spouse of the assailant, saying “we need a clean bill that says clearly: you cannot commit a sex crime against your wife.” Delegate Emily Shetty (District 18) referenced her personal experience as she spoke out about her bill to clarify consent. “This bill makes it clear that a relationship status is not proof of consent in perpetuity. And importantly, it makes clear that what a victim is wearing doesn’t constitute consent.”
Economic justice is critical to ensure that women and others can earn meaningful livelihoods. Jakeya Johnson of Maryland NOW introduced Delegate Pam Queen (District 14) who discussed the need for wage transparency by posting salary ranges within job listings. “Women make up 51% of our population…We need women in the workforce, getting paid for what they’re worth. We are worth more than 82 cents on a dollar.” Rebecca Snyder of Executive Alliance highlighted the Equal Pay Commemorative Day legislation, which marks the day (March 15) to which women must work in the new year to earn as much as a white man earned the previous year.
Karen Nelson of Planned Parenthood Maryland, speaking on behalf of the Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition, focused on the Trans Health Equity Act, which would ensure that gender affirming treatment is available to Marylanders on Medicaid. “Planned
Senator Kelly finished the rally on with a call for contraceptives on college campuses. Snyder took the podium to call for action, directing people the Gender Justice page on the Executive Alliance website for more information about the bills discussed. The fight continues.
Click here for pictures from the rally.
Legislation discussed during the rally included:
- HB 808 / SB 859 Reproductive Health Protection Act
- HB 705 / SB 798 Right to Reproductive Freedom
- HB 812 / SB 786 Reproductive Health Services – Protected Information and Insurance Requirements
- HB297 / SB 292 Victims of Child Sex Trafficking and Human Trafficking – Safe Harbor and Service Response
- HB4 – SB129 – Criminal Law – Sexual Crimes – Repeal of Spousal Defense
- HB412 – Criminal Law – Sexual Crimes – Consent and Second-Degree Rape
- HB 495 / SB 350 Child Care Scholarship Program – Funding
- HB 832 Labor and Employment – Equal Pay for Equal Work – Wage Range Transparency
- HB1158 – General Provisions – Commemorative Days – Equal Pay Commemoration Day
- HB477 / SB341 Public Senior Higher Education Institutions – Reproductive Health Services Plans – Requirements
- HB283 / SB 460 Gender-Affirming Treatment (Trans Health Equity Act)