Free State Legal Project Marks First Successes with Celebration

Baltimore, MD (September 13, 2011)

Venable provided a perfect venue for the Free State Legal Project cocktail celebration, which included a full moon overlooking the 10th floor terrace. More than 200 donors, attorneys, law professors, community activists, judges and LGBT members gathered to mark the initial successes of this new pro bono project serving low-income LGBT individuals and their families. While words were spoken by esteemed colleagues, George Nilson (City Solicitor of Baltimore), The Honorable Shannon Avery (District Court of Maryland), Aaron Merki, Esq. (FSLP Board President) and Lee Ann Hopkins, Esq. (FSLP Executive Director), the highlight of the event was hearing from Traci and Ellen Van Vogelpoel, who shared of their involvement with Free State. Ellen spoke unequivicably about Free State’s impact on their behalf. Originally denied health benefits because of transgender and same-sex discrimination, Free State’s pro bono attorneys successfully advocated to procure their rightful benefits through the employer.

The organization’s opening success is a direct result of financial champions like the Leidy Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Charlesmead Foundation, the Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation, the Lois and Irving Blum Foundation, the Blue Moon Fund, Brother, Help Thyself Foundation, Venable LLP, DLA Piper, the Bunting Family Foundation and our generous individual donors and law firms. Free State has also been gifted with the talents of committed LGBT and straight ally pro bono attorneys who understand that low-income members of this community need our specialized assistance. They are currently advocating for clients in the following areas—employment discrimination, domestic violence/peace & protective orders, divorce, name change and gender change petitions.

While we are only four months into serving LGBT Marylanders, we are clearly on the right path, bringing justice to one client at a time. This can only lead to more positive change for Baltimore and Maryland, whether we are straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or gender-nonconforming. We all win! Let’s keep up the momentum. Please give generously as we grow. Your gifts are invaluable. You may donate through our PayPal (MC, Visa) system online or send a check to: FSLP, 241 W. Chase Street, #307, Baltimore, MD 21201. If you are an attorney licensed to practice in Maryland, please consider joining our pro bono panel of attorneys. We do provide training opportunities.

Thank you for your contributions!