Comments on: Maryland to take up marriage, trans bills

By: TransGriot

TransGriot — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:03:54 +0000

And I hope the Maryland Legislature has the good sense to pass trans rights bills that have public accommodations language in them and not that BS Massachusetts passed or the unjust one they tired to pass in Maryland last year

By: Cathy Brennan

Cathy Brennan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:12:33 +0000

I hope that the Maryland General Assembly does not pass a gender identity law with an overbroad definition of gender identity that would gut protections based on sex. Once again, the needs of females are overlooked by the GLBT Movement.

By: laurelboy2

laurelboy2 — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:21:28 +0000

@Guest2: While you write well you haven’t changed my views. My violin plays for you. The answer really is to understand the ramifications of being trans. Once you understand what your “choice” can result in, then perhaps you’ll think twice before playing with fire. Seek psychological help to deal with your gender identity issues and play dress-up on Saturday nights.

As “M” pointed out, gender identity and sexual orientation are “different.” In my view, trans is a choice. Think twice before making it.

By: laurelboy2

laurelboy2 — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:14:37 +0000

@M: You’re right. How stupid of me to imply that sexual orientation and gender identity have anything to do with each other. They don’t; which raises a second point – why don’t all you trans people take your issues and stand alone? Why have you hitched your horse to the gay wagon?? I’ve never understood that connection since it’s clear that sexual orientation and gender identity are “different,” as you wrote.

By: Guest2

Guest2 — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:02:02 +0000

@laurelboy2:
In Maryland, you, being a gay man, are protected under the current set of laws regarding discrimination (Quite happy for you about that BTW). Trans people are not. It is easy to take that attitude when you are safe with your job that can’t fire you, a home you are renting that you can’t be evicted or denied, and public access where you can’t be forced to leave (read public as state funded) simply for being gay.

As a trans women I get none of those protections. I can be fired because I am trans. I can be kicked out and denied housing because I am trans. I can be denied access to the places you are free to go, because I am trans. I can even be bleeding to death in an ER waiting room, and be asked to go outside and die, because I am trans. Hell, I can even be asked to leave just for wanting to use the toilet, because I am trans.

Is including gender identity cherry picking? I don’t think so, I think it is including a group into the existing law that *everyone else* already enjoys being protected under, except people like me. The same goes for gay marriage, it isn’t cherry picking a group, it is asking to be giving the same civil right as any other couple to bond in matrimony.

Is that fair? I think so. Cherry Picking? Not so much.

I really wish it was as simple as you would like it to be “Discrimination is against the law”, but sadly, not ALL discrimination is against the law. Go head to the HRC.org website, they spell it out and break it down by state for you. The sad reality is that in our country, not everyone is equal, and these laws trying to be passed in MD are trying to correct that. I would hope that you would encourage that effort as opposed to disparaging it.

Remember that in 30 states it is perfectly legal to fire you or me, deny us housing, and deny us any kind of care or public access because we are simply perceived as “different’ to every other “normal” person out there. Enough is when our country says that we are all equal, and equally protected.

By: M

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:51:59 +0000

Laurelboy2,

The trans bill doesn’t offer ‘special’ protection for any group, it offers equal protection in a society where trans discrimination and hate is as bad as it was in the 70s for gays and lesbians. If you are trans you can be legally fired, denied housing, hospitalization, and so much more in most of the country. If you are trans and need emergency surgery your insurance can say ‘oops, sorry we don’t cover sex surgery for trans people’. The violence is still rampant for transgendered people. Everything negative is still rampant for trans people.

Also, you being a gay man has nothing to do with transgender. Understand the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity.

By: Zoe Brain

Zoe Brain — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:53:18 +0000

They’re already in place in Baltimore, and many other parts of the state. So you’re about 10 years late. Of course, if you’re already living with such laws, and weren’t even aware of it – maybe the people who have been telling you how terrible the consequences would be might just be telling you a few minor fibs, hmm?
Where are you going to move to, anyway. 40% of the US population is already covered by these laws, sometimes for decades.

By: laurelboy2

laurelboy2 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:42:36 +0000

@Guest: I understand your frustration with the Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act. I’m a gay man, but I don’t understand why this initiative commands attention. I oppose any effort to cherry pick groups for special protections. Discrimination is against the law; why do we need to legislate protections for special groups? What about fat people? What about left-handed people? What about autistic people? What about dwarfs? When is enough, enough?

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:01:30 +0000

I live in Maryland I have a wife and a son and as soon as any of these pro gay laws pass here I am moving out.