Oh boy, here we go. I expect every right-wing "family values" nut-job in the Mid-Atlantic to come out for this one.
In case you haven't heard, the County Council is considering legislation to make gender identity and expression a protected class under county law. Wow. And I recall a day when a gay nominee to the county's Human Rights Commission was basically flayed in the George Howard Building. Fortunately, yet sadly, that did pave the way a couple years later for a lesbian activist to become the Commission's first homosexual member.
Here is an article about the legislation.
So if you read the article, you will see that the Chairwoman of a statewide lobby in the area of gender rights expresses hope that Howard County becomes the third jurisdiction in the state, behind Baltimore City and Montgomery County, to recognize gender identity and expression as a protected class.
I hope so too, but I have my doubts sometimes inj this county. Yes, even when a Republican State Senator from Howard County breaks ranks to endorse gay marriage. I say this because there exists in Howard County a network of conservatiove congregationsthroughout the county; centered mostly in the western end of the county but extending into Ellicott City, Elkridge, and even parts of Columbia. I don't doubt for a second the power of these congregations to organize to oppose this legislation.
Additionally, issues surrounding homosexuality and gender identity tend to draw an external audience as well. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see considerable testimony against this legislation come from outside Howard County-- hell, even outside Maryland.
I think I may need to dust off my testifyin' shoes and get my big behind down to the Howard Building on this one.
Comments