Basic Rights Montgomery

This post was submitted by Rebecca Ahuja, who works for The Task Force.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is supporting an important campaign in Maryland called Basic Rights Montgomery.

Basic Rights Montgomery formed because of a terrible anti-transgender ballot measure happening in November. It would repeal a law that protects transgender people from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. If the ballot measure succeeds, transgender people in Montgomery County could be fired from their job or kicked out of their house just because of their gender identity. Not only is that wrong, but it has national consequences as well.

This is the first explicitly anti-transgender ballot measure ever and if this is repealed in a county that is seen as liberal as Montgomery, a tidal wave of anti-trans ballot measures could be unleashed across the country.

And as Congress considers whether ENDA should be trans-inclusive, defeating a specifically anti-trans ballot measure will help make the case that the public supports protecting trans people.

“Citizens for a Responsible Government” is the anti-trans group behind the repeal. They are singling out transgender people and playing on stereotypes and anxieties about public restrooms to fuel their campaign. They already have a list of 30,000 anti-trans voters who want to repeal the non-discrimination law. With only a few months until November, it is critical that we start building a strong campaign to defeat this anti-trans ballot measure now.

Support Basic Rights Montgomery now by donating or volunteering. Contact Becca Ahuja at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at rahuja@thetaskforce.org.