Source: The NY Blade News, March 6, 1998, "Nation" column.

It's Time, Maryland (ITM) is voicing opposition to a gay civil rights bill, HB 68, being considered by Maryland's state legislature. The bill is a product of work by the Free State Justice Campaign of Maryland, and aims to outlaw discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations because of a person's sexual orientation.

Among ITM's objections, which they consider technical and not political, are that the proposal's language is too narrow. According to an ITM press release, "The key language of HB 68 -- its definition of sexual orientation -- is simply not sufficient to protect gender-variant Gay men, Lesbians, and bisexuals, as well as transgendered people." ITM member Jessica Xavier feels that the law as written will not protect people who may be discriminated against based on appearance or behavior.

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