Maryland House Approves Amended Anti-Discrimination Measure Meant To Protect Transgender Individuals

The Baltimore Sun reports that Saturday the Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval to a bill that will prohibit employers and housing groups from discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Following a floor debate that veered into what some delegates said was offensive territory, the anti-discrimination measure passed by a vote of 86 to 52, an initial tally showed. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Home owners who rent rooms or apartments in their residence are exempted from the bill, as are religious groups. Republicans who opposed the bill argued that education and child-related groups should have been excluded, too, Delegate Nicholaus R. Kipke (Republican-Anne Arundel) saying some parents may not want to explain to their children why a female teacher, for example, decides to dress as a man. Delegate Steven R. Shuh (Republican-Anne Arundel) said argued the bill goes too far in affording protection for transgender individuals, saying "It's one thing to protect adults who want to be eccentric in front of other adults." Delegate Ariana B. Kelly (Democrat-Montgomery County), who spoke in favour of the measure, described how a female office colleague had decided to live as a man. She said her office received a memo about the change and that "it was not a big deal to anyone but (him), which is how it should be." Delegate Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk, who sponsored the bill, had removed its most controversial element, which would have required public accommodations for transgender individuals. The legislation moving through the General Assembly would not prevent transgender discrimination in places such as restaurants, restrooms and hotels. Bill supporters acknowledged a better plan would have included public accommodations, but Delegate Kirill Reznik (Democrat- Montgomery County), defended it as providing "good, minimal protections." According to the legislative analysis, thirteen states and the District of Columbia have anti-discrimination laws concerning transgender individuals. Baltimore and Montgomery County already have local laws similar to the House plan, although those both include public accommodations provisions.