Vital! HB 235 needs public accommodations language!
Don't leave transfolk, literally, without a pot to piss in!
posted almost 14 years ago
The 'Gender Expression Non-discrimination Act' bill being introduced into the Maryland house of delegates this session has a serious issue. An issue so big that, if passed, could put full trans equality in the state out of reach for *years*.
The bill lacks public accommodations protections while providing housing, employment, and credit protections. What this means in practical terms is that trans people can still get thrown out of restaurants, domestic violence shelters, forced off of buses, really most anything.
Imagine the civil rights act of 1964 without protections in restaurants, bathrooms, buses, etc.
And if the bill DOES pass without public accommodations, then that protection will be nearly impossible to get because any attempt to bring it to the floor will be met with 'Bathroom bill' and basically get laughed out of committee.
We need this to pass with full protections, or we need it to fail. So, call your legislator!
Click here to find your representative
Sample letter:
Hello[YOUR LEGISLATOR'S NAME],
My name is [YOUR FULL NAME] and I live in your district at [ENTER YOUR ADDRESS].
I am writing to urge you to vote for A Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act which protects Transgender Marylanders are the SAME level as Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, or National Origin by INCLUDING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS. This bill is important to me because I believe that ALL Marylanders deserve protections and respect, regardless of their gender identity.
Only by passing FULLY protective GIADA can Maryland truly be called the Free State, where everyone is treated equally.
The bill, if you'd like to read it, is here
Don't throw trans rights under the bus! I am not a bargaining chip!
The bill lacks public accommodations protections while providing housing, employment, and credit protections. What this means in practical terms is that trans people can still get thrown out of restaurants, domestic violence shelters, forced off of buses, really most anything.
Imagine the civil rights act of 1964 without protections in restaurants, bathrooms, buses, etc.
And if the bill DOES pass without public accommodations, then that protection will be nearly impossible to get because any attempt to bring it to the floor will be met with 'Bathroom bill' and basically get laughed out of committee.
We need this to pass with full protections, or we need it to fail. So, call your legislator!
Click here to find your representative
Sample letter:
Hello[YOUR LEGISLATOR'S NAME],
My name is [YOUR FULL NAME] and I live in your district at [ENTER YOUR ADDRESS].
I am writing to urge you to vote for A Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act which protects Transgender Marylanders are the SAME level as Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, or National Origin by INCLUDING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS. This bill is important to me because I believe that ALL Marylanders deserve protections and respect, regardless of their gender identity.
Only by passing FULLY protective GIADA can Maryland truly be called the Free State, where everyone is treated equally.
The bill, if you'd like to read it, is here
Don't throw trans rights under the bus! I am not a bargaining chip!
