Activists are working hard for gay marriage in Maryland

The implication of the Jan. 21 editorial "Equality in Maryland" was that activists for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Maryland have taken an all-or-nothing approach.

That is not true. Recently, we have worked to advance and pass several bills to make incremental changes in such areas as hospital visitation and medical decision-making. We have worked with counties and municipalities on domestic-partner benefits. We have taken a reasoned, step-by-step approach, but we have never stopped asking for full equality.

Couples who have a civil union and live in a state that recognizes these relationships receive only second-class protections in comparison to their married friends and neighbors. That is why Vermont, which created the civil-union concept, went on to pass marriage equality legislation. Too many disparities exist between the protections offered under a civil union and those provided by marriage equality. Civil unions are not separate but equal -- they are separate and unequal. Our society has tried separate before. It just doesn't work.

Equality Maryland will continue to chip away at the inequities. This year, we are supporting legislation related to family medical leave, as well as a policy regarding de facto parents. But only civil marriage here at home and an end to discrimination by the federal government will provide equal protection under the law.

Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Baltimore

The writer is executive director of Equality Maryland.