Transgender bill stirs fear, controversy in Baltimore County
Council vote on controversial anti-discrimination measure set for Tuesday
By Alison Knezevich, The Baltimore Sun
7:51 p.m. EST, February 19, 2012
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-transgender-discrimination-20120219,0,2305862,full.storyJenna Fischetti picks a seat at a Baltimore County Starbucks where she can see who's coming and going. As a transgender woman, the 47-year-old is always on guard.
"My head's on the swivel," said Fischetti, a freckled brunette.
When she slips into a public restroom, she tries not to talk. If she makes eye contact with other women, she smiles and nods. For Fischetti, using the bathroom is just one small part of a daily struggle for social acceptance. She says she lost her job after she began living as a woman. She can tick off a list of women like her who've been attacked — even killed — because of who they are.
