It Ain't Over Til It's Over

A few weeks ago, I quoted an article about how Maryland was about to pass a trans-rights bill.

Even though it was watered down, the Maryland senate, afraid to offend The Usual Extremists, voted against it..

Maryland has a reputation as a liberal state.  How it got that I have no idea.  This session they voted against trans rights and gay marriage.  Maybe some day, someone will remind the government that there's supposed to be a wall between church and state.  I mean, every day, someone reminds the government that it's OK to own a bazooka.  We need a champion.

Senators kill transgender protection measure; same procedure ended gay marriage bill in House

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Advocates of increased protections for transgendered individuals will have to try again next year.

The Maryland Senate voted 27-20 Monday to send the proposal back to a Senate committee, effectively killing it on the last day of the 2011 session.

The proposal would have protected transgendered individuals from housing and employment discrimination. Activists who had pushed earlier in the session to legalize gay marriage have also lobbied for the transgender protections, but Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, D-Calvert, made clear the measure would not likely pass his chamber.

The Senate avoided taking a conclusive vote on the bill by sending it back to committee, just as the House did with gay marriage legislation.

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