Republican attempt to force referendum on trans anti-discrimination law fails

[Olivia P]

US: Republican attempt to force referendum on repeal of trans anti-discrimination law fails

1st June 2014, 6:58 PM
Author: Nick Duffy

An attempt by Maryland Republicans to trigger a referendum on an existing law giving trans people legal protection has failed.
Republican delegate Neil Parrott had been attempting to collect the 55,737 signatures required by the state's constitution to trigger a referendum on the law, signed last month.

However, as of the deadline last night it had collected just 17,500, meaning a referendum will not be triggered.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/06/01/us-republican-attempt-to-force-referendum-on-repeal-of-trans-anti-discrimination-law-fails/

[Ltl89]

It's really disheartening that some want us not to have legal protections.  Really, I get that there are policy and ideological differences, but seriously most of this is just for people to put down us down and label us as perverts that are out to victimize your families and destroy the moral fabric.  I can't speak for everyone, but all I want is to live a life without job and housing discrimination and not face constant legal and societal roadblocks just to live a normal life.  I guess I can't understand why this is such a tall order.  Everyone is free to think what they will about us, but why is protecting someone from being fired or from being discriminated in employment for the sole basis of being trans a topic that bothers people?  It just doesn't make sense to me.  This is why I just want to go stealth and hope no one knows. I wish I didn't care what people think, but I really do and it hurts to know that many out there will see me as a walking monster if they find out. 

[Megan Joanne]

People in high authoritative positions have always scared me most because they tend to have the tongue for poisoning and riling up the masses of ignorants that would back such inhuman decisions against other fellow humans...all just because they (in this case we) are different. What'd he hope to accomplish? I mean, what after such a law had been passed? Something worst...

"Wipe them out, all of them."

But people (most) have proven to stand up against such hate in the past. While I have my fears of what could be of our future, I also have hope that things will be better, that good will still continue to stand for what is right in their hearts (love regardless of how different/unique another is), that someday we'll be accepted like any other person.

[บ้านสิริรอดชีวิต]

It's really disheartening that some want us not to have legal protections.  Really, I get that there are policy and ideological differences, but seriously most of this is just for people to put down us down and label us as perverts that are out to victimize your families and destroy the moral fabric.

I do think it's a great sign that even though opponents were again using this visceral "Bathroom Bill" messaging—about as dirty and desperate as opponents could possibly get, appealing right to the id—citizens of a second U.S. state were smart enough to reject this and allow trans rights to stand. Haters of all stripes are always going to be out there at some level, but the transphobic flavor of haterade is becoming increasingly anathema to society.

What'd he hope to accomplish? I mean, what after such a law had been passed?

To fill his coffers with cash, probably. Social conservatives have a long history of fundraising off fear, and what a surprise, MDPetitions was blasting out desperate fundraising e-mails all week. He certainly can't have expected the ballot measure to reject the law, considering 71% of Marylanders polled support the FAMA.

[Amy1988]

US: Republican attempt to force referendum on repeal of trans anti-discrimination law fails

1st June 2014, 6:58 PM
Author: Nick Duffy

An attempt by Maryland Republicans to trigger a referendum on an existing law giving trans people legal protection has failed.
Republican delegate Neil Parrott had been attempting to collect the 55,737 signatures required by the state's constitution to trigger a referendum on the law, signed last month.

However, as of the deadline last night it had collected just 17,500, meaning a referendum will not be triggered.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/06/01/us-republican-attempt-to-force-referendum-on-repeal-of-trans-anti-discrimination-law-fails/

And republicans wonder why no one votes for their bigoted asses anymore.