From the beginning Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake supported legalizing Maryland’s Same-Sex Marriage Law. The Mayor was one of the first local political leaders to officiated over Marriages at City Hall and Druid Hill Park. A visible Grand Marshall at Baltimore’s Summer 2013 Gay Pride event.
As a result, of the Mayor’s sincere efforts in the fight for equality for all she has earned even more recognition and appreciate through the Gay Community. Mayor Stephaine Rawlings Blake has received the “ICONS We Love Award”.
The Mayor had this to say:
“As an avid supporter of the LGBT community and a champion for equal rights for all, I am extremely honored to have received the ICON award during Baltimore Black Pride’s 11th Annual Gala and ‘ICONS We Love’ Award ceremony. It’s extremely humbling to be the first and only elected official to receive this distinction.
I was beyond elated to officiate the City’s first official same-sex marriages at midnight on New Year’s Day in City Hall. It was a beautiful experience that gave me a sense of pride in knowing that same sex couples were able to express their love the same as everyone else. This was an historic moment in Baltimore’s history and I will always cherish the opportunity to have been there. Having received the ICON award is another.
Equality for all was instilled in me from a very young age. It is an innate part of me that has made me the person I am today. I believe that we are all affected by the denial of any person’s rights based on race, creed, ethnicity, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, age, disabilities, religious beliefs, or national origins. Therefore, we must do all that we can to combat hate. As mayor, I pledge to continue to be a vocal advocate for Baltimore’s LGBT community, promoting love for all.
I applaud the LGBT community for their perseverance and strength to withstand the challenges they face on a daily basis. The LGBT community inspires and gives me hope in knowing that our society can overcome fear and bigotry with love, compassion and understanding.
I know at the end of the rainbow, there is something more valuable than gold and that is love for all.”
