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
*Name and Gender Marker Changes
*Inclusive Schools
*Ending Panic Defense
*Establishing A Statewide Commission on Civics and Cultural Education
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 |
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
