Maryland
Transgender Law May Be Put to Voters

Voters in Maryland's Montgomery County could be asked to decide whether to uphold an antidiscrimination law for transgender people passed by the County Council in the fall.

Opponents of the measure were able to attain enough signatures to get the issue placed on November's ballot, according to The Washington Post, but Equality Maryland is working to have the circuit court of Rockville review the validity of the signatures.

The law would protect transgender people from discrimination in housing and employment. It was slated to take effect February 20, but the referendum effort halted its implementation. Placing a referendum on the ballot in Montgomery County requires signatures from 5% of registered voters, which opponents of the rights law claim they have.

Opponents say the protections would be a slippery slope toward "indecent exposure in locker rooms." Citizens for a Responsible Government even created a website, NotMyShower.net, to spread its message against the gender identity bill. The group contends (occasionally in italics) the law may allow "forcing even religious schools to hire transgender teachers; and then also allow cross-dressing but biological males in your daughter's school locker room."

A spokesperson for Citizens for a Responsible Government told the Post that the group has obtained legal help from the antigay Alliance Defense Fund to prepare for any legal challenges. (The Advocate)