2021 Salisbury PFLAG Legislative Priorities
Salisbury PFLAG strives to move equality forward and that includes engaging in legislative advocacy work at the State and local levels. For the 2021 Maryland General Assembly legislative session, Salisbury PFLAG is focused on the following priorities.
*Name and Gender Marker Changes
*Inclusive Schools
*Ending Panic Defense
*Establishing A Statewide Commission on Civics and Cultural Education
*Nondiscrimination and Equitable Access
*Mental Health Access
Name Changes
Research finds that changing one’s name is not only an affirming act, but can also serve to mitigate social determinants of health by improving people’s access to medical care and reducing people’s exposure to the stress of being misgendered, which combined result in improved mental health.
HB 0039 would allow, upon request, someone to waive the publication requirement when undergoing a legal name change. Read our testimony below.
| HB39 TESTIMONY |
Inclusive Schools
There are insufficient protections for, and inequities in the treatment of, LGBTQIA+ learners enrolled in Maryland schools. The result of these injustices contributes to a climate that is unsupportive, and even often hostile, to LGBTQIA+ youth.
HB155 would codify anti-discrimination protections for all students, pre-k through 12 who are enrolled in our public schools and in any other schools receiving public funding. Read our testimony below.
| HB155/SB0098 Testimony |
Ending Panic Defence
The “panic defense” is when a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is blamed for causing a state of temporary insanity that resulted in committing assault or murder. It is designed to reduce jury perceptions of a defendant’s culpability for having committed a violent act.
HB0231/SB0046 would end panic defense and send a powerful message to all Marylanders that homophobia, transphobia, racism, and xenophobia are inexcusable and have no home in the Free State
The “panic defense” is when a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is blamed for causing a state of temporary insanity that resulted in committing assault or murder. It is designed to reduce jury perceptions of a defendant’s culpability for having committed a violent act.
HB0231/SB0046 would end panic defense and send a powerful message to all Marylanders that homophobia, transphobia, racism, and xenophobia are inexcusable and have no home in the Free State
| HB231/SB46 Testimony |
Establishing A Statewide Commission on Civics and Cultural Education
Research finds LGBTQ+ inclusive education improves school climate and LGBTQ+ students who attend schools with inclusive curricula report their school climate as more supportive and as safer, experience less harassment, and have greater self-esteem.
HB 0140 would provide access to education that is inclusive of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) people, history, culture, and perspectives. Read our testimony below.
Research finds LGBTQ+ inclusive education improves school climate and LGBTQ+ students who attend schools with inclusive curricula report their school climate as more supportive and as safer, experience less harassment, and have greater self-esteem.
HB 0140 would provide access to education that is inclusive of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) people, history, culture, and perspectives. Read our testimony below.
| HB140 Testimony |
ISSUANCE OF NEW MARRIAGE AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES
As birth and marriage certificates are often used to prove citizenship and/or legal identity, it is important that they be free of errors or inconsistencies. Birth certificates are one of the most common documents used to verify a person’s identity. Inconsistencies and inaccuracies on these documents can create additional complications for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people, leading to heightened scrutiny of documentation and creating barriers to services for which these documents provide access.
HB 1203 would do two important things: (1) allow transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people to change their gender marker on their child’s birth certificate, and (2) allow transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people to change the gender marker on their marriage license without a court order or divorce, following a gender transition. Read our testimony below.
As birth and marriage certificates are often used to prove citizenship and/or legal identity, it is important that they be free of errors or inconsistencies. Birth certificates are one of the most common documents used to verify a person’s identity. Inconsistencies and inaccuracies on these documents can create additional complications for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people, leading to heightened scrutiny of documentation and creating barriers to services for which these documents provide access.
HB 1203 would do two important things: (1) allow transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people to change their gender marker on their child’s birth certificate, and (2) allow transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people to change the gender marker on their marriage license without a court order or divorce, following a gender transition. Read our testimony below.
| hb-1203-testimony.pdf |
NONDISCRIMINATION AND LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS
HB1088/SB768 specifies that it is the responsibility of the State of Maryland to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals are protected from discrimination, and have equal access to a variety of programs, departments, and services within the Department of Human Services and Department of Juvenile Justice Services. Further, HB1088/SB768 would provide training to ensure equitable treatment, and prohibit contractors who engage in discriminatory practices from receiving state funds. Read our testimony below.
HB1088/SB768 specifies that it is the responsibility of the State of Maryland to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals are protected from discrimination, and have equal access to a variety of programs, departments, and services within the Department of Human Services and Department of Juvenile Justice Services. Further, HB1088/SB768 would provide training to ensure equitable treatment, and prohibit contractors who engage in discriminatory practices from receiving state funds. Read our testimony below.
| hb1088-sb768-testimony__2_.pdf |
EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS
HB0132 / SB0041 would change the age of consent for treatment of mental and emotional disorders from 16 to 12 would greatly increase access to mental health services among LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those in unsupportive home environments. Read our testimony below.
HB0132 / SB0041 would change the age of consent for treatment of mental and emotional disorders from 16 to 12 would greatly increase access to mental health services among LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those in unsupportive home environments. Read our testimony below.
| HB132/SB0041 Testimony |
LEARN MORE ABOUT LGBTQIA+ LEGISLATION BY VISITING FREE STATE JUSTICE
Free State Justice is Maryland's statewide advocacy non-profit that seeks to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (“LGBTQ”) Marylanders. Free State Justice has information about their legislative priorities, maintains a legislative calendar, and holds weekly update sessions during the Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session.
Free State Justice 2021 Legislative Tools
Free State Justice 2021 Legislative Tools
