Metro Weekly
John Riley
http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=7026

A bill in the Maryland General Assembly that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations, housing, employment, licensing and commercial leasing looks to be treading water as advocates try to sway Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Calvert, Prince George's counties) to allow a vote on it during this year's legislative session.

The transgender rights organization Gender Rights Maryland announced on its website Jan. 25 that the gender identity bill, SB 212, would be introduced by lead sponsor Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-Montgomery Co.), but that there would be no cross-filed bill in the House of Delegates, largely because of concerns that the bill would not be brought to a vote in the Senate.

According to Gender Rights Maryland, when Miller was asked about the gender identity bill he told advocates, ''I only have time for one gay bill this session,'' referring to the decision to push for the passage of a marriage-equality bill in the General Assembly.

The Maryland State Senate consists of 35 Democrats and 12 Republicans.
The Maryland House of Delegates consists of 98 Democrats and 43 Republicans.

Can't get a non-discrimination bill through?
Blame the Republicans!

Quote from: Jamie D on February 02, 2012, 11:54:50 PM
The Maryland State Senate consists of 35 Democrats and 12 Republicans.
The Maryland House of Delegates consists of 98 Democrats and 43 Republicans.

Can't get a non-discrimination bill through?
Blame the Republicans!

Lol I'm a democrat, and I think most of us would readily admit that our people are really good at rolling over and getting walked upon. Weak weak weak.

Though I really don't know much about the situation in Maryland. I've been to the Baltimore aquarium, and I think I saw a John Waters film once, and that's the extent of it for me.

Quote from: Felix on February 03, 2012, 07:00:59 PM
Lol I'm a democrat, and I think most of us would readily admit that our people are really good at rolling over and getting walked upon. Weak weak weak.

There are many socially conservative Democrats in the Middle Atlantic, South, and Midwest.  That explains why Democrats don't always go along with the Pelosi liberals. When they lurch to the left socially they get replaced by Republicans in those regions.

Quote from: Vanora on February 04, 2012, 12:01:39 PM
There are many socially conservative Democrats in the Middle Atlantic, South, and Midwest.  That explains why Democrats don't always go along with the Pelosi liberals. When they lurch to the left socially they get replaced by Republicans in those regions.

I did come across a lot of social conservative democrats down south.

Even the most basic analysis of American voting patterns and political affiliations knows there are large regional differences between the parties and within the parties.  A sophisticated analysis would show that many factors including historical factors, economic realities and cultural differences also come into play.  Any thing that would purport that Republican = conservative across the board and Democratic = liberal across the board is just incorrect.

Quote from: tekla on February 04, 2012, 07:09:57 PM
Even the most basic analysis of American voting patterns and political affiliations knows there are large regional differences between the parties and within the parties.  A sophisticated analysis would show that many factors including historical factors, economic realities and cultural differences also come into play.  Any thing that would purport that Republican = conservative across the board and Democratic = liberal across the board is just incorrect.

As a measure of the weight "conservative" Democrats have in the party caucus in the House of Representatives, the "Blue Dog" coalition has 24 seats out of the 192+/- seats occupied by all Democrats.

Quote from: tekla on February 04, 2012, 07:09:57 PM
Even the most basic analysis of American voting patterns and political affiliations knows there are large regional differences between the parties and within the parties.  A sophisticated analysis would show that many factors including historical factors, economic realities and cultural differences also come into play.  Any thing that would purport that Republican = conservative across the board and Democratic = liberal across the board is just incorrect.

But this isn't being disagreed with, is it?

Seemed that way to me when a simple count of R vs. D was made as the reason that things were getting, or not getting passed.

Quote from: Felix on February 06, 2012, 09:58:43 PM
But this isn't being disagreed with, is it?

The last conservative democrat of note in Maryland was Marvin Mandel.

Quote from: tekla on February 06, 2012, 10:39:40 PM
Seemed that way to me when a simple count of R vs. D was made as the reason that things were getting, or not getting passed.

I think we've been oversimplifying politics to death for awhile now. Shortcuts and sound bites and pretty faces.