Maryland's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization on Friday voiced its solidarity with the growing coalition of civil rights groups calling for justice in the Freddie Gray case and systemic improvements to policing in Baltimore.
Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland, said it had joined the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Equality's call for Gov. Larry Hogan to "use his executive powers to address a number of systemic and structural matters concerning police-community relations and structural community development needs."
The coalition includes prominent civil rights groups such as the ACLU of Maryland and local branches of the NAACP.
Gray died April 19 from a spinal cord injury sustained while in custody after being arrested by Baltimore Police on April 12. His death has inspired widespread protests against police brutality in Baltimore. Six police officers have been suspended with pay as the agency -- and the Justice Department -- investigate.
The LGBT community in Baltimore has had its own problems with policing in Baltimore for years, claiming city police officers are often rude, insensitive or discriminatory when interacting with LGBT residents -- particularly transgender women of color.
The Baltimore Police Department and Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts have promised improvements in their relations with the LGBT community, calling it a priority and establishing a task force on the matter.
Evans, a member of that task force, said all community groups have a stake in improving police interactions with the public.
"It is imperative that in difficult and trying times like this we stand together in solidarity to seek answers surrounding Mr. Gray's grievous injuries and subsequent death and to work with City and Police leadership in ensuring that this never happens again to anyone," she said.