Trans Woman Challenges Gay Incumbent In Maryland

One day, perhaps, this won't rate as news:  a transgender woman challenging a gay incumbent in a primary.

I'm not holding my breath.  I'm just glad that at least in Montgomery County, Maryland, they have an incumbent who has fought for the community and a challenger who, perhaps, can do even more.

Dana Beyer, the Executive Director of Gender Rights Maryland, is looking to win the nomination for a state senate seat currently held by Richard Madaleno.  They are Democrats and, since no Republican is running, the winner will most likely end up in the state's legislative body.

Unfortunately, at least one thing is depressingly predictable:  the stupid and hateful comments to an article announcing the race.

Maryland Bill To Outlaw Trans Discrimination

New Year's Day was the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

So, it seems appropriate that just over the border from where President Lincoln made one of the most important speeches in the history of this country, a bill has been introduced to ban discrimination against transgenders.

Maryland State Senator Rich Madaleno, who is gay, and his fellow Senator (and Democrat) Jaime Raskin are the ones who introduced the bill to the Terrapin State's legislative body.  

The good news is that Maladeno and Raskin have twenty co-sponsors, including Republican Allan Kittleman.

The bad news is that the proposal for it died in committee last year.  Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, a Democrat, reportedly blocked a vote on it.  But now he's on board with Madaleno, Raskin and Kittleman.

Because of their diligence, Dana Beyer, who is Excecutive Director of Gender Rights Maryland, says the trans community "should be very hopeful this is the year."

Her optimism is not baseless.  Maryland, like neighboring Washington, DC, has banned discrimination based on sexual orientation, and DC also has laws barring discrimination against transgenders.