FreeState Justice and BLAQ Equity Baltimore (two of Maryland’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations) are proud to announce a formal partnership designed to deepen community engagement and amplify support for Black, trans, and gender-expansive Marylanders. BLAQ Equity Baltimore is a community-driven force for Black LGBTQIA+/SGL (Blaq) Marylanders. For more than two decades, it has worked tirelessly to showcase and preserve the cultural pride of Blaq communities, integrating principles of self-determination and transformative justice into the daily lives of everyone they interact with. Similarly, FreeState Justice has worked for many years as Maryland’s only statewide LGBTQ+ legal advocacy organization, bringing life-saving resources to those who need them most. Through pro bono legal services, community programming, and legislative advocacy, it fights daily to make Maryland a state where everyone can thrive. Together, the organizations are joining forces to build a more inclusive and equitable Maryland for all. “This partnership is about building power from the inside out,” said Phillip Westry, Esq., Executive Director of FreeState Justice. “BLAQ Equity Baltimore’s work is rooted in the same values that guide ours — dignity, self-determination, and a refusal to leave anyone behind. By joining forces, we’re investing in the collective liberation of every Blaq individual in Maryland.” This partnership includes a shared workspace, cross-organizational programming, and aligned advocacy initiatives, creating a unique model of collaboration that honors both organizations’ missions and strengths. With BLAQ Equity Baltimore now operating from FreeState Justice’s office, these organizations will be able to provide comprehensive support to any client in need. “This partnership will help meaningfully and intentionally bridge the gap between FreeState Justice and Black LGBTQIA+/SGL communities in Baltimore who may not always be aware of the legal and advocacy resources available to them,” said Christopher Henderson-West, Co-Executive Director of BLAQ Equity Baltimore . “It’s an important step in building awareness, establishing sustainable access, and providing direct support where it’s needed most. A beneficial and advantageous collaboration that has the potential to advance equity and inclusion not only citywide, but statewide." As two organizations committed to disrupting systems of harm and building infrastructure for healing and growth, this partnership represents a new chapter in Maryland-based LGBTQ+ advocacy. With each collaboration, FreeState Justice and BLAQ Equity Baltimore will center Black, trans, and gender-expansive freedom, steadily working towards cementing Baltimore — and Maryland as a whole — as a national model for inclusion. You can learn more about FreeState Justice here and BLAQ Equity Baltimore here .

FreeState Justice has launched our 2025 FSJ Policy Report!