Fear Tactics in Baltimore County

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Monday January 23, 2012 · 6:00 AM PST

2012/01/23 · 06:00

There is a bill in Baltimore County, MD, that would stop discrimination against transgender people. But the usual opponents of such protections are out in force, spreading unfounded fear-mongering rumor as if it were truth in attempts to protect their right to discriminate.

Anita Schatz, who said she survived a rape more than 40 years ago when she was 18, said she and other women believe the bill "would open the door for sexual predators" to abuse women and girls in restrooms.

The claim, as always, is that passing the law would make women more vulnerable to attack inside restrooms.

Promoted as a ‘gender identity anti-discrimination bill,’ Human Relations Bill No. 3-12 forces the public to recognize men as women, thereby allowing men access to women’s bathrooms.
This takes away from a woman being a woman. Somebody else is just like you. These people are confused about their gender.

--Dr. Ruth Jacobs, infectious disease specialist

No, Dr. Jacobs. we are not confused about our gender. It is you who is confused about our gender. Transwomen are women. Gender is between the ears, not between the legs.

There is no evidence that transwomen (who are women, not men) pose a threat to women and girls in public bathrooms and there are already laws in place that protect women from attack in women's restrooms. This bill will not eliminate those laws.

This bill is about protecting people from discrimination. The bill is not about bathrooms.
--Mark Patro of the group Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

Jenna Fischetti told council members she works for $8 an hour at a Kohl's department store after being fired from her job as a finance manager at an Owings Mills car dealership when her employer found out she is transgender.
"I lost a $100,000-a-year job specifically because of my gender identify," Fischetti said.

Transgender people are using the bathroom because that's what they have to do is use the bathroom. There's no evidence, there's no proof, it doesn't happen.
--Sharon Brackett, board chair for Gender Rights of Maryland

Rumors have been circulated that Montgomery County, which passed a transgender anti-discrimination statute in 2007, has had four rapes in public restrooms by men dressed as women.

Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger has debunked those rumors.

Since this law has been in effect, we have had no reported rapes committed in restrooms by men in women’s clothing.
--letter from Thomas Manger to Baltco Councilman Tom Quirk, lead sponsor of the bill

Next meeting on the bill, which would prohibit discrimination against transpeople in housing, workplaces, and in public places, is February 14. The bill is expected to pass since 4 of the 7 Council members are sponsors.

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Fear Tactics in Baltimore County

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