By: Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
ANNAPOLIS, United States – After a Maryland senate vote of 32-15 on 4 March 2014 in favor of a bill preventing discrimination against people who are transgender, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed the bill into law on Thursday, 15 May 2014. The bill’s sponsor Sen. Richard Madaleno along with 31 Democrats and one Republican supported the passing of the bill. Sen. Madaleno who fought for eight years to convince his colleagues to pass the bill states that the bill “provides important protections for people who are just trying to live their lives”
The law set to take effect on 1 October 2014 will prohibit discrimination against transgendered people on matters relating to housing, employment, credit, and the use of public restrooms. Governor O’Malley called the measure an “important step to protect the dignity and equal rights of all Marylanders.”
Opponents of the bill have labeled the measure a “bathroom bill”, as it protects a transgendered person’s right to use the restroom for the gender with which the individual identifies. Kathy Szeliga, a Republican member of Maryland’s House of Delegates, has spoken outwardly about her opposition to the bill. Szeliga has expressed her concern that the measure will allow predators into opposite sex restrooms. Szeliga said, “this is just not right”, she has also stated that the law will have unintended consequences.
Opponents hope to collect 18,579 signatures by 31 May 2014 and a total of 55,736 signatures by 30 June 2014 in order to get a referendum on the ballot for November’s election. This would ensure that voters get the last say regarding the measure.
Approval of the bill makes Maryland the 18th U.S. state to pass a law protecting transgendered individuals from discrimination. The measure will alter Maryland’s laws to conform to the changing attitudes of United States citizens regarding transgendered people. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel agrees with the shifting views regarding transgendered individuals and stated on Sunday, 11 May 2014 that the military should review its ban on transgendered people serving in its ranks.
The measure is in line with the Maryland Governor’s liberal policies which have been passed during O’Malley’s eight years as Governor. In 2012, O’Malley passed The Dream Act, legalized same-sex marriage, repealed the death penalty, and passed tougher gun laws. Governor O’Malley says that the law prohibiting discrimination against transgendered people will help create an “open, respectful, inclusive world that we want for all of our children.”
For further information, please see:
ABC NEWS – Maryland Bill To Stop Transgender Discrimination Signed – 16 May 2014
ABC NEWS – Maryland Senate Oks Bill To Stop Transgender Discrimination – 16 May 2014
THE BALTIMORE SUN – O’Malley Signs Maryland Transgender Rights Bill – 16 May 2014
REUTERS – New Maryland Law Makes Transgender Discrimination Illegal – 16 May 2014
