Transgender Bill and a Debate from General Assemblies Past

Bill Vanko, co-anchor of Maryland's Morning News on WBAL 1090 AM, and I talked about the expected introduction of a transgender anti-discrimination bill in the Baltimore County Council.

The bill, which Councilman Tom Quirk, a Catonsville Democrat, said he expects to introduce by the end of the month, is expected to in employment and housing and includes a controversial measure regarding use of public facilities—most notably restrooms.

For those of you who aren't early risers, you can catch up here.

A similar bill was debated in the Maryland General Assembly last year and spurred one of the more interesting debates in the House of Delegates in recent memory, despite the fact that public accommodations was not part of the bill at the time.

I mentioned this morning that Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick spoke against the bill last year citing concerns about men, dressed as women, using the women's room.

"I think every woman in this chamber should be appalled," said Minnick.

During that debate on March 26, 2011, Minnick tells colleagues in the House about an encounter in 1995 or 1996 that he had with a man dressed as a woman who, at the time, was using the men's room.

"It made a lasting impression on me," said Minnick.

Hear Minnick's story about his encounter at a State House urinal with a 6-foot 2-inch man wearing a dress or listen to the entire debate from the 2011 session (it starts around the one hour and 49 minute mark and is House Bill 235).

Proponents of the state law say they expect the bill to be re-introduced this year—this time with the public accommodations provisions.