• FreeState Justice (FSJ) Engagement Opportunities Form

  • FreeState Justice is a legal advocacy organization that seeks to improve the lives of low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (“LGBTQIA+”) Marylanders. Despite recent, incremental judicial victories for the national LGBTQ community, the low-income LGBTQIA+ population continues to struggle with legal challenges such harassment, complex family law issues, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, foster care, healthcare and public accommodations.

    FreeState’s mission combines direct legal services with policy advocacy as well as education and outreach to ensure that the low-income LGBTQ community Maryland receives fair treatment in the law and society.

    Employees, volunteers, interns, pro-bono panelists, and board committee members are critical in fulfilling our mission. As a non-profit serving the state of Maryland, these forms of engagement allow us to expand our reach, foster LGBTQIA+ leadership across the state, build capacity within our communities, and secure stability in our work. We look forward to collaborating you in advancing LGBTQIA+ justice.

  • Youth Equity Alliance (YEA) Membership
    There are two different levels of YEA membership: allies and advocates.

    • Allies  participate in YEA and workgroup meetings, provide insight and feedback, share resources when feasible, and promote the work of YEA within their own networks.
    • Advocates  help lead workgroups or the steering committee, publicly lending their names as part of YEA. These members may be individuals or representatives of organizations or advocacy groups. Advocates help set agendas and action items, support recruitment of new members, and help foster projects and works across the alliance.

  • Contact Information

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  • FreeState Justice's Mission

    FreeState Justice is a legal advocacy organization that seeks to improve the lives of low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (“LGBTQIA+”) Marylanders. Despite recent, incremental judicial victories for the national LGBTQ community, the low-income LGBTQIA+ population continues to struggle with legal challenges such harassment, complex family law issues, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, foster care, healthcare and public accommodations.

    FreeState’s mission combines direct legal services with policy advocacy as well as education and outreach to ensure that the low-income LGBTQ community Maryland receives fair treatment in the law and society. We embrace Black feminist theories on the intersectionality that highlight the interconnectedness of systems of oppression. We believe that by centering the most vulnerable we can build equity for all. To this extent, our work focuses on issues related to youth, elders, anti-racism, anti-poverty, the detained and incarcerated, transgender & gender diverse folks, and rural community members.

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  • Internships & Fellowships

  • FreeState is committed to fostering and developing the next generation of LGBTQIA+ leaders and their allies. Every year, we host legal and non-legal interns to advance our mission in serving low-income LGBTQIA+ Marylanders through direct services, education and outreach, and policy advocacy initiatives. Interns are a crucial part of the work we do - we would not be able to accomplish nearly as much without them!  

    This year we are excited to also offer internship opportunities wtih Bmore Blxck, a Black, queer, youth-led grassroots and social justice organization based in Baltimore City, Maryland. Bmore Blxck designs projects which address the systemic marginalization faced by Black people, youth and the TLGBQ communities in Baltimore. 

    Why intern with us?

    Our interns are more than people who just do busy work! We always strive to create a meaningful, worthwhile experience tailored to every intern’s unique interests and career trajectories. We believe all interns should be fully integrated as a member of our team and always encouraged to contribute to all aspects of the organization. 

    Along with this, interns can expect to gain valuable experience and skills in the following areas:

    • Participating in city, state, and national-coalition meetings
    • Gaining skills in professional communication and work ethics
    • Project management and reporting
    • Data collection and analysis
    • Curriculum development for training service providers
    • Subject matter expertise in LGBTQIA+ issues
    • And many more! 

    We encourage applicants of all types, including students as well as community members of all ages in order to build a diverse, collaborative work experience. 

    Information about each of our internships can be found on our website here.

  • Internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis with flexible start dates. Internship opportunities are a minimum 4-month commitment with flexible end dates.

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  • Pro Bono Legal Services


  • If not barred, there may be some limitations in filing or providing counsel. You may be able to request special authorization to practice in Maryland under Rule 19-218. Additionally, you could be paired with another supervising attorney to collaborate on a case with.

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  • Volunteer/Committee Member Questionnaire

  • Board Committee Descriptions:

    Finance Committee

    The Finance Committee is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the stability of FreeState’s assets, liabilities, and cash flow. The committee closely monitors FreeState’s financial position, statements, and ensures the organization is on sound and stable footing. The committee makes recommendations for improving our long-term financial health.

    Governance Committee

    The Governance Committee is responsible for vetting nominations to the FreeState Board of Directors, interviewing candidates, and forwarding nominations to the Board of Directors for a vote. The committee keeps in mind the need for diversity of cultures, identities, viewpoints, skills, and professional backgrounds. The committee is charged with ensuring fidelity to our bylaws.

    Policy Committee

    The Policy Committee provides strategic advice and direction regarding legislative and policy advocacy. The committee will help develop our advocacy plans, ensure that our agenda is community informed, and engage our broader community interests across Maryland. Specifically, the committee will help plan strategy in advance of legislative sessions.

    Events Committee

    The Events Committee creates a comprehensive plan for events each year and provides guidance and direction toward achieving event goals. Committee members will form sub-committees around specific events and help plan and execute them successfully. 

    Equity Committee

    The Equity Committee assesses, creates, and supports the implementation of a comprehensive equity plan for mission delivery, program services, internal organizational development, organization and board staffing, and community engagement. 

    Ad hoc Committees

    The Board or FSJ Leadership Team may call for "ad hoc" committees to support specific projects or programs. Ad hoc committees rely on skills and expertise to advance strategic initiatives, e.g. Data Management Strategy, Medical-Legal Partnerships, etc.


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  • Demographics

  • These socio-demographic questions assist FreeState Justice in ensuring we're reaching a diverse community in our engagement opportunities while advancing our commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion. We are often asked about the community we serve and the individuals involved in serving that community--these questions help us provide accurate and transparent information on our engagement. This information also assists us in having courageous conversations on social equity and helps us ensure that LGBTQ policy and advocacy work involves the full range of our community.

    For any questions you do not feel comfortable answering, please select "Prefer not to answer."

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  • Please note language(s) spoken and your proficiency in that language(s)

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  • Additional Team Information

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  • Confidentiality Agreement

  • I agree to keep confidential all information about FreeState clients and participants. Participant(s) as used throughout this agreement means any individuals utilizing, attending, receiving, or inquiring about FreeState programs, services, and events.  I understand and agree that I may only disclose any client/participant information to third parties outside of FreeState Justice with the express, written consent of the Legal Director or the Executive Director.

    I understand and agree that information about FreeState's pending and current cases are to be kept in strict confidence. I understand and agree that I may only disclose any information relating to any pending or current cases to third parties outside of FreeState Justice only with the express, written consent of the Legal Director or the Executive Director.

    I agree to keep confidential any non-published information about any program, employee, volunteer, vendor, office, financial account, or Board member (collectively "FreeState Operations") unless the disclosure is authorized by the Executive Director in writing.

    I agree not to copy or transport any records relating to any client, participant, or FreeState Operations outside of the FreeState offices unless expressly authorized by the Legal Director or Executive Director in writing.

    I agree to never communicate with or about clients or participants using a personal email account, unless given permission in writing by the Executive Director or Legal Director.

    In addition, understand that in my capacity as a volunteer / employee for FreeState, I am acting as an agent of FreeState, and am subject to the Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct ("the Rules") including but not limited to, Rule 1.6.

    I understand that any violation of this agreement and/or the Rules may subject me to immediate discipline and/or termination of my employment, whether paid or not.

    Agreed to and accepted by:

     

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