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HRC Urges State Senate To Pass Bill And Make Maryland The Eleventh State To
Ban Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation
WASHINGTON - March 25 - The Maryland House of Delegates voted 80 to 56 Wednesday
evening, in favor of House Bill 315, which prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation.
The passage of this bill is in-part a testament to the will and commitment
of Governor Parris N. Glendening who lobbied hard to create the winning vote margin, according to
HRC.
"The leadership of Gov. Glendening in advocating for fairness and
combating discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans was key in passing this historic legislation," said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth
Birch, a Maryland resident. "We strongly urge the state Senate to follow the courageous lead of the House and vote for dignity, fairness and respect
for all Maryland residents and to become the eleventh state to prohibit discrimination. HRC continues to work with our partners in Maryland to
pass this important bill in the Senate."
The nondiscrimination legislation now faces an uphill battle in the
state Senate. The measure is before the Judicial Proceedings Committee.
The governor has vowed to continue his strong lobbying efforts to see the
measure become law. Gov. Glendening's lobbying efforts have included an emotional five minute speech in front of the House of Delegates Judiciary
Committee where he spoke of how legal discrimination took its toll on his brother Bruce, a career military service-member, who died of complications
from AIDS in 1992.
"He was in great pain. You could not touch his skin without
causing great pain," said Gov. Glendening. "As difficult as that was, he told me it was more difficult to live 19 years of his life knowing that if
anyone was aware of his sexual orientation, he would lose the job he loved so much."
The support of conservative Speaker of the House Casper Taylor,
D-Allegany, was key in helping move this bill through the House, despite opposition from the chamber of commerce. It had failed to win the
assembly's support for the past six years. If the anti-discrimination legislation becomes law, the Maryland Commission on Human Relations will be
able to investigate complaints about housing, employment, and public discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The fight to pass a nondiscrimination law in Maryland is led by the
Free State Justice Campaign and their Executive Director Liz Seaton. HRC has assisted with their efforts, including a $5,000 grant, mailings to
HRC's action network in Maryland, E-mail information alerts and the printing of thousands of action materials for Maryland residents to send to
their state representatives in support of passing this legislation.
"The tireless efforts and relentless determination of the Free
State Justice Campaign's Liz Seaton was instrumental in passing this legislation in the House," said HRC National Field Director Donna Red Wing.
"We look forward to continuing our efforts in mobilizing HRC members in
Maryland to help in the struggle to bring justice and equality to all citizens living in the state."
The Maryland counties of Prince George's, Howard, and Montgomery,
already have Nondiscrimination ordinances, as does the city of Baltimore.
Together, they cover nearly half of all Maryland residents. If Maryland
passes a law prohibiting discrimination, it would join Hawaii, California, Vermont, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island,
Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay
political organization, with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the
public to ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
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