The Washington Blade reported today that the House committee in Maryland voted 15-8 to approve a bill banning employment and housing discrimination against transgender people.
The bill will now face the full House of Delegates, where it must be approved by Monday in order to progress to the Senate for approval.
Support of the bill is spearheaded by Equality Maryland, a statewide LGBT group directed by Morgan Meneses-Sheets. In response to today’s committee vote, Meneses-Sheets said that the bill’s chances “look good on the floor [of the full House]” and that an un-anticipated supporter joined those who had already pledged to back the bid for transgender anti-discrimination legislation.
Dubbed the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, the bill would constitute a landmark for Maryland if passed. However, it is also one of dozens of bills that must be dealt with by Monday at midnight – and supporters are campaigning hard to make sure that their cause makes its way to a vote before the deadline.
If voted through the House, the bill will fall into the hands of Senate supporters like openly gay democratic Senator Richard Madaleno, who have pledged to help move the legislation forward.
