Support Gender Identity Protections in Maryland

Do you know:

· In Maryland, you can be fired because of your gender identity or expression?

· In Maryland, a landlord or leasing agent can refuse to rent to you because of your gender identity or expression?

· 1 in 5 Transgender Marylanders have been discriminated and harassed in their place of employment.

· 12% of all Transgender Marylanders have become homeless because of their gender identity or expression.

Nationwide, 13 states, Washington D.C., and 132 counties and cities have passed legislation to ban this discrimination in their communities -- including Baltimore City and Montgomery County.

No one deserves to be fired, refused work, denied housing, education or credit, or suffer harassment or violence just because of who they are -- but transgender people and those who don't fit gender stereotypes, such as some gay, lesbian, bisexual, and straight people, in Maryland routinely face this type of discrimination and/or violence without some kind of recourse.

In order to close the loophole on discrimination in areas of basic rights such as housing or employment, EQMD, a number of LGBT and allied organization, along with supporters listed below urge the Maryland general assembly to pass comprehensive gender identity protections, including public accommodations in the 2012 legislative session.  

Equality Maryland, along with the undersigned individuals urge the Maryland General Assembly to pass comprehensive gender identity protections, including public accommodations in the 2012 legislative session.