Friend,

It’s our birthday! Advance Maryland is officially one year old. We’re celebrating by looking back on all we’ve accomplished this year and planning for the year ahead!

We elected new leadership across state and local government in November of 2022, and in 2023, we marked the beginning of a new phase in Maryland politics. Recognizing this new moment, we made the decision to re-launch what was Our Maryland as Advance Maryland.

We set out to bring a “fresh approach to progressive advocacy” by amplifying the voices fighting for progress, equity, and justice in Maryland. And that’s exactly what our team did in 2023!

We hit the ground running during the 2023 legislative session, supporting our partners with communications, digital, and legislative strategy. We had some big wins!

Our team was proud to help pass the Trans Health Equity Act, the Family Prosperity Act, and to support efforts to reform our youth justice system, make Maryland’s correctional facilities safer for incarcerated trans people, and advance clean energy and environmental justice goals. 

But we didn’t stop after the legislative session! We convened strategic planning sessions, continued to build community power across the state, and were a part of some other big wins for Maryland. 

One of the moments we are the most proud of from 2023 is watching Governor Moore sign an executive order that protects those seeking, providing, or assisting with gender affirming care in Maryland from out of state litigation. The Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition worked hard to make it happen, and Advance Maryland was grateful to be able to support them.

More recently, we held a virtual film screening and panel discussion with our partners at the Maryland Youth Justice Coalition and the Justice Policy Institute focused on youth, trauma, and crime. It was a fantastic event with a very moving and in-depth discussion with folks who have experience in many aspects of the Maryland justice system. You can catch up on the full event here.

It was an honor to spend the year working alongside our incredible partners!

If we were to tell you everything our team did in our first year, we’d be here until 2025. THANK YOU for your support over the last year! Making Maryland a place where everyone can live the safe, affirming, and prosperous lives that we deserve will take all of us working together – we’re so grateful you’re in the fight with us.

If you’re able, please consider donating to support our work in the year ahead. Every little bit counts! >>>

The work continues! The 2024 legislative session starts in just two days on January 10th, so be on the lookout for more information from Annapolis soon. Until then, happy new year!

All our best,

The Advance Maryland Team

Paid for by Advance Maryland

c/o Progress Now

614 Seymore Ave

Lansing, MI 48933