WASHINGTON - Today the Fairness for All Marylanders Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations and credit, passed the full Senate after last week having been voted out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

"It is critical that the Maryland legislature gets to the unfinished business of protecting transgender citizens from discrimination," said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin.  "No one should ever have to worry about losing their job or accessing safe and affordable housing simply because of who they are. We hope Maryland’s fair-minded lawmakers will act on this critical bill quickly."

HRC is on the steering committee of the Maryland Coalition for Trans Equality, which has been working toward the passage of this bill and will continue to work together on the Fairness for All Marylanders Act as it moves through to the House.  HRC has invested significant resources and on-the-ground support in this effort including $25,000 to Equality Maryland for field organizing and State Legislative Director Sarah Warbelow testified in support of the legislation earlier this month.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.