SALISBURY, Md.- It's a controversial topic and it's sure to raise tempers.
Prince George's County Del. James Hubbard is sponsoring the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act. Proponents argue the bill is necessary to promote gender equality, but not everyone is happy about it.
The bill was previously sponsored by Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Del. Ariana Kelly, but was defeated last year.
One of the most controversial provisions would allow any man, so long as he's dressed as a woman, to use women's facilities. And Delmarva residents who spoke with WBOC have a lot of mixed emotions about it.
Salisbury University student Mollie Palmer uses the school's gym regularly. She finds the idea of sharing the locker rooms with men, dressed as women, a little unsettling.
"I would probably feel a little uncomfortable because a lot of times you do go into the bathroom and people are undressing and redressing and taking showers and I just think that's a little uncomfortable for a lot of women- if there's actually a man- no matter how he's dressed on the outside," she said.
The bill is still being drafted. According to sponsor James Hubbard, if a man is dressed as a woman, he would be allowed to use women's bathrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms if this bill becomes law.
The bill is designed to promote gender equality for those in the transgender community but there are some women that worry there may be people with ill intentions, trying to take advantage of that law.
"I hope it doesn't pass," said one concerned woman.
"I don't think that's cool. If that's a man, he shouldn't be in no woman's facility because that's like disrespect if you ask me," added David El.
In a statement from Equality Maryland, a group helping to put the bill together, Executive Director Carrie Evans said:
"Adding gender identity and expression to the existing state anti-discrimination laws is vital to the well being of all Marylanders. Currently in Maryland it is legally acceptable to discriminate against people on the basis of their gender identity or expression. As a result, one in five transgender Marylanders report having lost their job for no other reason then being who they are. Twelve percent of transgender Marylanders report (in a recent survey done by NCTE and NGLTF) having experienced homelessness. Many homeless shelters in Maryland turn away transgender people. Moreover, 54 percent percent of this population reports harassment or refusal of service in areas of public accommodations (this includes public transportation, restaurants, movie theaters and government agencies) for being who they are. This bill is straightforward— discrimination against transgender people would be prohibited in employment, housing and public accommodations. All people in Maryland deserve the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families free of discrimination."
Hubbard said he expects the bill to go to its first reading by the end of next week.
Similar gender equality ordinances have already passed in Montgomery County and are in the works in Baltimore County. However, the bill- if passed- would create a new statewide law in Maryland.
