I got this update from Equality Maryland yesterday:

In a 5-6 vote this afternoon, the Senate Judicial Proceeding Committee failed to pass SB 449, The Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2013. Voting in favor of the bill were, Senators Raskin, Forehand, Frosh, Gladden and Zirkin. Voting against the bill were Senators Stone, Muse, Jacobs, Brochin, Shank and Getty.

It is terribly disappointing that this committee failed to stand up for fairness and protect transgender Marylanders.  In the past month more than 300 people visited their legislators in support of this bill. Additionally, more than 400 constituents called their senators on this committee and almost 2,000 constituent letters, petitions and postcards in support of SB 449 were given to the 11 members of the committee.

We are particularly incensed with Senator Jim Brochin's vote. He had at least 1,000 constituents contact him asking him to support this bill. Despite this, he turned his back on these voters. It ironic that transgender people in his own district [Baltimore County] have protections yet he wouldn't cast a vote to extend these protections to individuals in the 20 counties that aren't so fortunate.

Sad day.  I don't think I will be moving there anytime soon.

This is very disheartening to hear. At a time when the U.S. is starting to make some progress, and seems to have more on the horizon, it's my opinion that such bills and decisions, when looked back on years from now, will be viewed as being driven by ignorance and fear, and as a close minded group of people being on the wrong side of history.