Defending Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, and LGBTQ+ Protections
Equal protection under the law, personal safety, and bodily autonomy are non-negotiable human rights. As a transgender combat veteran, former Senior Enlisted Leader, and appointed commissioner on local human relations and equity bodies, I know firsthand what it means to fight for a country that does not always protect your dignity. True justice cannot be compartmentalized. Protecting marginalized people strengthens civil rights, democracy, and constitutional equality for every resident across Maryland.
I will defend and codify reproductive freedom in our state constitution. Every Marylander deserves absolute autonomy over their reproductive healthcare decisions, including abortion access, contraception, and maternal care. In an era of nationwide attacks on reproductive liberty, Maryland must serve as an unyielding safe harbor. I will support legislation that shields local healthcare providers and traveling patients from out-of-state civil and criminal liability. Furthermore, I will fight to expand rural access to comprehensive OB-GYN and maternal health services so quality clinical care remains accessible throughout Western Maryland without requiring hours of travel.
I will also champion ironclad legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. I will aggressively challenge insurance companies that attempt to circumvent the Trans Health Equity Act by classifying essential gender-affirming treatments as cosmetic. In our public schools, I will oppose book bans, curriculum censorship, and discriminatory policies that single out transgender youth. Our schools must remain safe, supportive places of learning, not battlegrounds for extremist political theater. I will also ensure our state adopts standardized, medically accurate, and LGBTQ-inclusive health and sex education.
Additionally, I advocate for targeted state safety initiatives and violence intervention resources to combat the national crisis of violence against trans women of color. I will also champion the Maryland Voting Rights Act to guarantee equitable ballot access, ban intrusive facial recognition and biometric surveillance by state and local agencies, and uphold the Maryland Trust Act by prohibiting local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. We must also ban immigration enforcement near voting locations to prevent voter intimidation. In Annapolis, I will stand as an unyielding firewall defending dignity, equality, and civil rights for all people.