Maryland lawmakers this week introduced bills to ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression and also harmful "ex-gay" therapy for minors, the Washington Blade reports:
State Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery County) will introduce the transgender rights bill in the state Senate. State Del. Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) plans to bring forth the measure in the House of Delegates, even though the chamber passed a trans rights bill in 2011.
“We didn't want to lose the opportunity to work with our House members,” said Equality Maryland Executive Director Carrie Evans.
The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee last March by a 6-5 vote struck down a bill Madaleno and state Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery County) introduced that would have banned anti-trans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation. State Sens. Norman Stone (D-Baltimore County), C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George's County) and James Brochin (D-Baltimore County) voted against the measure.
Both Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller (D-Prince George's and Calvert Counties) and House Speaker Michael Busch (D-Anne Arundel County) back the bill.
