Any Equality Except Trans Equality

From Marriage Vomit Central:

Maryland’s same-sex marriage bill gets its first hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 8 beginning at 1 p.m. in Annapolis. Those interested in testifying have until 12:45 p.m. that day to register, but a Senate spokesperson today warned that large crowds are expected so anyone planning to attend should arrive early.

Maryland’s Senate has 47 members; 24 votes are needed for passage. The Baltimore Sun reported this weekend that the marriage bill has 20 solid supporters, with six senators so far declining to express a position on the bill. They are:

  • Sen. John Astle, Anne Arundel County Democrat (800-492-7122              800-492-7122      , x3578)
  • Sen. Joan Carter Conway, Baltimore Democrat (800-492-7122              800-492-7122      , x3145)
  • Sen. Ulysses Currie, Prince George’s County Democrat (800-492-7122              800-492-7122      , x3127)
  • Sen. Edward Kasemeyer, Baltimore and Howard counties Democrat (800-492-7122              800-492-7122      , x3653)
  • Sen. Katherine Klausmeier, Baltimore County Democrat (800-492-7122              800-492-7122      , x3620)
  • Sen. James Rosapepe, Prince George’s County Democrat (800-492-7122              800-492-7122      , x3141)

If you live in one of these Senators’ districts, activists urge that you call to express your view of marriage equality as soon as possible.

And I encourage all of you to call and express the following view: The word marriage has no business being uttered until the trans equality bill is signed into law by the governor, so vote NO until trans people are equal to gays in Maryland.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m particularly fond of the bill that Free State Just Us ,er…, (In)Equality Maryland is actually trying to shove down everyone’s throats.  But, under no circumstances should anyone support the gay marriage bill until, at the very least, the trans employment bill becomes law.  In fact, I hereby explicitly call for active opposition to the gay marriage bill until such time as gays and lesbians can no longer discriminate against trans people in Maryland.

[Cross-posted at ENDABlog]

Marti Abernathey is the founder of the Transadvocate and the previous managing editor. Abernathey has worn many different hats, including that of podcaster, activist, and radiologic technologist. She's been a part of various internet radio ventures such as TSR Live!, The T-Party, and The Radical Trannies, TransFM, and Sodium Pentathol Sunday. As an advocate she's previously been involved with the Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance, Rock Indiana Campaign for Equality, and the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition. She's taken vital roles as a grass roots community organizer in The Indianapolis Tax Day Protest (2003), The Indy Pride HRC Protest (2004), Transgender Day of Remembrance (2004), Indiana's Witch Hunt (2005), and the Rally At The Statehouse (the largest ever GLBT protest in Indiana - 3/2005). In 2008 she was a delegate from Indiana to the Democratic National Convention and a member of Barack Obama's LGBT Steering and Policy Committee. Abernathey currently hosts the Youtube Channel "The T-Party with Marti Abernathey."