March 31, 2011Dear Mr. President,
We respectfully request that you allow HB 235, Human Relations - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - Antidiscrimination to be passed out of the Rules Committee to allow for a vote in the Judicial Proceedings Committee. This bill received a supermajority vote of support in the House and was sent to the Senate before the crossover deadline. Please allow it to have a fair hearing in the Senate.
We believe that this bill is absolutely necessary for the civil protections of a subset of Marylanders who are most vulnerable to discrimination and prejudices. In that context, studies show that transgender individuals are victims of violent crimes, including murder, at a much higher rate than other groups.
This bill would offer limited protections with respect to employment, housing and financial security. In the hearing in the Health and Government Operations Committee we learned the transgender community has double the national average rate of unemployment (14%) and 90% face discrimination or harassment at work. With regard to housing, 11% report having been evicted for being transgender and 10% have been homeless.
In the hearing, there was testimony about all manner of abuse based solely on the discomfort that others have with the appearance or mannerisms of transgender individuals. No one in this country should be subjected to these mistreatments, but this defined group of people experiences them frequently in their daily lives.
We are simply asking for full consideration of this bill on behalf of these Marylanders. Please pass HB 235 out of the Rules Committee and into JPR for a hearing on this very important issue.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Maggie MacIntosh
Anne Kaiser
Heather Mizeur
Peter Murphy
Luke Clippinger
Bonnie Cullison
Mary Washington
Cc:Senator Katherine Klausmeier
Senator Brian Frosh
Basically, the LGBT caucus in the House of Delegates has made an ask of Sen. Miller -- they, as a group, are asking him to ensure that the gender identity bill goes to the Senate floor for a vote.
There are now seven lesbian and gay Maryland delegates that are now strongly on record in favor of cvil rights based on gender identity. No matter what one's opinon is of HB 235, having seven lesbian and gay Maryland Delegates who previously weren't on record as an LGBT caucus for cvil rights based on gender identity who now are on record as an LGBT caucus -- well, that's a positive for future legislative years.
For lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender voters and their allies in Maryland this year, this is now an important time to contact one's State Senator, as well as contact Senator Miller's office. Civil rights are a LGBT community issue that is deserving of our attention and efforts.