MCASA Resources for Workplace Protections/Rights in the State of Maryland

Wed, 14 May 2025 09:07:46 -0400

Hello! We were asked by a community member to share out this information regarding workplace protections for LGBTQ+ employees in the state of Maryland. Please see below:

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I hope this email finds you well. The mission of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is to help prevent sexual assault, advocate for accessible and compassionate care for survivors of sexual violence, and work to hold offenders accountable.

Using grant funding from the Maryland Department of Health to expand our prevention work with LGBTQ+ communities, MCASA partnered with FreeState Justice – a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization that provides direct legal services, policy advocacy, outreach, education, and coalition building in Maryland – to create a free self-paced training module, called Workplace Protections, Legal Rights, and Resources for LGBTQ+ Employees. This module educates current and prospective LGBTQ+ employees on their employee rights and available resources to recognize and report workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault.

This self-paced training module addresses the following topics:

Key terminology, including a selection of LGBTQ+ identity descriptors, and terms related to workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault

Federal and State legal protections and how to take legal action

Where to turn for free legal assistance

Supplemental information and resources

When current and prospective employees learn more about their legal rights, options, and resources, they will be better prepared to enter the workforce and remain in the workforce because they will have the knowledge and tools to recognize and report workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Increasing the economic empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community is a protective factor against sexual assault and other forms of harm. When employees feel safe and empowered, they are more likely to be productive and successful at work.

Please share our free self-paced training module -- Workplace Protections, Legal Rights, and Resources for LGBTQ+ Employees -- with your networks. Feel free to post this link on your website, send it out in newsletters, social media, or other forms of communication.

If you have any questions, please let us know. I can be reached at agaragiola@mcasa.org or info@mcasa.org and Freestate Justice can be reached at LPruitt@freestate-justice.org