I feel that my sentiments expressed at the recent Marriage Equality panel were misinterpreted in the article “Marylanders debate same-sex marriage” Oct. 15, 2012.

Let me clarify two points: I do support marriage equality and I do not support funneling away money towards marriage equality legislation to support HRC lobbying efforts for other types of LGBT-related legislation.  I do support funneling money away from legislative efforts and toward direct services supporting the LGBT community (e.g. housing, medical care, legal services, etc.), especially for those who are most in need.

Fixing our community problems through legislation is trickle-down thinking and by no means a cure-all. Racism didn’t end at the 13th amendment’s abolition of slavery. Sexism didn’t end with the 19th amendment’s granting of women’s suffrage or even with the passing of Title IX legislation in 1972. Inequality for LGBT people is not going to end the moment that marriage equality laws are enacted.

I encourage others to vote for Question 6 on the upcoming MD ballot in support of equality for LGBT persons. More importantly, I don’t want to see another several million dollars spent on legislative lobbying when the LGBT people who need direct services the most are being largely ignored.