The Maryland Black Family Alliance continues to fight for Transgender Rights with the Committee Passage of HB 235

MBFA: "the struggle to find ones identity should never be diminished by discrimination, harassment, or violence.  Discrimination in Maryland comes at a price and is unjust."

Annapolis, MD, March 25th -  The Maryland Black Family Alliance applauds the work of Lead Sponsor, Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk for her efforts on passing House Bill 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, a bill that will lead to vital protections for Maryland transgender residents in housing, employment and credit. By a vote of 15-8 in large part due to the tremendous leadership of Del. Pena-Melnyk, House Bill 235 will now advance to the House floor where a vote is expected this weekend.

Elbridge James, Executive Director of Maryland Black Family Alliance: "Transgender Marylanders, especially transpeople of color, face significant discrimination, violence, and harassment in almost every aspect of their lives. The struggle to find ones identity should never be diminished by discrimination, harassment, or violence. Discrimination in Maryland comes at a price and is unjust. It's time for our state to join 12 other states across the country in ending discrimination against transgender Marylanders.

In the report Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, people of color face far worse discrimination and poverty. The report states that ‘discrimination was pervasive throughout the entire sample, yet the combination of anti-transgender bias and persistent, structural racism was especially devastating. People of color in general fare worse than white participants across the board, with African American transgender respondents faring worse than all others in many areas examined.’

While there is still work to do to ensure that other important areas are covered, such as public accommodations, we must take this first step.   We celebrate the passage of House Bill 235 out of committee and urge the full House and the state Senate to support this important legislation."