Maryland SB 449 Transgender rights bill Has A Pot To Piss In.

Sponsored by Senator Madaleno SB 449 is titled "Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2013" and is a bill with a pot to piss in....

Synopsis:

Prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity with regard to public accommodations, housing, and employment and by specified licensed or regulated persons; prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with regard to commercial leasing; altering an exception for employers relating to standards concerning dress and grooming; providing specified immunity; requiring State personnel actions to be made without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation; defining the term "gender identity"; etc"

The bill has a long way to go and will have to compete with gun legislation and the Fracking Controversy for attention.

Last years bill, HB235 was nothing more than fodder for marriage equality which became law. The same people who are shepherding this years bill are the ones who last year blindsided the trans community by introducing HB235 without public accommodations provisions, the first Maryland bill sans public accommodations ever. Although this year there is no major gay agenda legislation to compete with it remains to be seen how much political capitol Maryland legislators will be willing to invest in our lives.

It also remains to be seen if the bill makes it through with a pot to piss in.

Baltimore County Votes Tuesday on Transgender Bill: At Risk Public Accommodations

Baltimore County votes Tuesday on whether to include transgender protections. There has been considerable opposition to including public accommodation provision. A bill without public accommodations provisions is nothing more that a Jim Crow Law.

Please take a moment and contact these council members!

Contacting Baltimore County Council Members .
Please feel free to email any and all of the Councilmembers.

If you are not sure what you would like to write we have offered you a sample email below. Please personalize it as needed. If you are a resident of Baltimore County we urge you to say so. If you are unsure of who your Councilmember use this link to find out. These same themes can be used in a phone call.

Councilman Tom Quirk
council1@baltimorecountymd.gov
410-887-0896
410-887-3386

Councilwoman Vicki Almond
council2@baltimorecountymd.gov
410-887-3385


Councilman Todd Huff
council3@baltimorecountymd.gov
410-887-3387


Councilman Kenneth N. Oliver
council4@baltimorecountymd.gov
410-887-0784
410-887-3389


Councilman David Marks
council5@baltimorecountymd.gov

dmarks@baltimorecountymd.gov
410-887-3384


Councilwoman Cathy Bevins
council6@baltimorecountymd.gov
410-887-3388
410-887-5223


Councilman John Olszewski
council7@baltimorecountymd.gov
410-887-7174
410-887-3383


Baltimore County Council

400 Washington Avenue, Room 205
Court House, Second Floor, Mailstop 2201
Towson, Maryland 21204

Internet: http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/countycouncil
E-mail: countycouncil@baltimorecountymd.gov
Phone: 410-887-3196

Example email:

Dear Councilmember __________________,

I am writing you in support of bill 3-12. I am a firm believer that all people should be treated equally under the law. This should be the case regardless of any factor including Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. These are basic civil rights and it is important that we secure them for all members of our community. It is important the people have a right to a job, a place to live, to be treated fairly with credit and most importantly in public accommodations. These rights are not novel or new, they have been in place in 16 states and over 150 municipalities including Baltimore City for the last decade, and Montgomery and Howard Counties.

I urge you not to be swayed by a very vocal and fearful minority who have opposed these rights. As has been the case with every civil rights movement there are always people who are afraid of progress and equality for all. I know I can count on you to support this bill for the people of Baltimore County

More at Gender Rights Maryland