Maryland criminalizes discrimination against transgender citizens

ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 16 (UPI) -- The governor of Maryland has signed a bill banning discrimination against transgender individuals in his state. The Fairness for All Marylanders Act passed the state senate and house in March and will go into effect October 1.

"We are closer today to creating an open, respectful, inclusive world that we want for all of our children," Governor Martin O'Malley said Friday. "This bill gives us another step closer to that vision and to that reality."

State Senator Richard S. Madaleno, who has been pushing the legislation for eight years, explained the bill's importance to everyday society.

"It provides important protections for people who are just trying to live their lives," Madaleno said. "They won't get thrown out of their homes, out of their jobs, out of a restaurant, just for being who they are."

Opponents of the bill have attempted to classify it as "the bathroom bill," saying it legalizes "men in dresses" using women's restrooms. This claim has been repeatedly proved false.