Maryland
Survey reveals Maryland trans community faces physical threats, delayed medical treatment
A statewide survey of transgender Marylanders found that more than half of respondents received threats of violence and about 30 percent delayed or avoided medical treatment due to concerns of gender-related discrimination, according to findings released last month.
The 2023 study — conducted by the Queer-Trans Collective for Research on Equity & Wellness and Trans Maryland — asked trans residents about discrimination, healthcare, employment and experiences with legal institutions in the state.
The survey had 750 trans participants, which included respondents from every county and Baltimore City.
M Pease, a counseling psychology doctoral student at the University of Maryland, helped conduct the survey and acknowledged the steps the state has taken to protect the LGBTQ+ community.
“At the same time, we’re hearing from community members that that doesn’t always translate to improvements in the lived conditions for everyone,” Pease said.
[Here’s a look at the bills Maryland legislators passed this session]
The recently-passed Maryland General Assembly bill that legally protects gender-affirming healthcare treatment will aid trans residents, Pease said, but legislation alone isn’t enough to fix the issue. There needs to be de-stigmatization of trans communities, they said.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Anne Arundel and Howard), passed on April 4. It will protect the records of people who receive gender-affirming treatment from being subpoenaed and prevent Marylanders from being extradited to other states for receiving treatment.
In a February hearing for the bill, Lam said the legislation will “ensure that patients and providers of legal gender-affirming care are free from out-of-state attack and harassment.”
The core issues of the bill were addressed in the 2023 legislative session, Lam said during the hearing.
Lam’s legislation combines issues addressed in two bills passed last year, which expanded Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming treatment and protect medical information from out-of-state entities, he said.
The Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition, an organization advocating for trans Marylanders, supported the bill during its journey through the General Assembly.
[Maryland legislators pass bill to aid recovery in Baltimore after bridge collapse]
Maya Holliday, who co-leads the coalition, said the legislation is big step for Maryland.
“It’s definitely not the last [step],” Holliday said. “There’s a lot more to be done, especially as things get scarier and scarier in other places.”
Other issues facing trans communities include employment, housing and concerns with the criminal justice system, Holliday said.
Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher (D-Montgomery), a sponsor of the bill to legally protect gender-affirming care, said some states are becoming more restrictive of the right to bodily autonomy. But Maryland is headed in the right direction, he said.
“We’re protecting the right to choose,” Waldstreicher told The Diamondback. “We’re not telling anyone who they can and cannot love. And we’re telling transgender Marylanders that they are welcome to be themselves here in the state.”
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Maryland Film Festival celebrating 25th anniversary this week
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Telling the history of horse racing business in Maryland – Baltimore Positive WNST
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MM 4.29: Maryland football announces spring game award recipients
Maryland football head coach Mike Locksley continued a tradition he initiated in 2019 by handing out awards named after his team’s Red-White Spring Game on Saturday.
Among these honors were the Alec Wujciak “I Like to Practice” Award, claimed by linebackers Caleb Wheatland and Ruben Hyppolite, alongside tight end Dylan Wade. Defensive lineman Dillan Fontus and wide receiver Rob Smith earned the Noah Barnes Community Service Award.
Other notable award winners included defensive back Perry Fisher and wide receiver Shaleak Knotts, recipients of the Josh Allen Most Improved Player Award. Defensive lineman Jordan Phillips was honored with the Randy Starks Most Valuable Lineman Award, while NC State transfer quarterback MJ Morris received the Keith Moore “Special K” MVP Award.
This year, a total of 16 awards were presented.
In other news
Maryland baseball emerged victorious in its weekend series against Illinois. Ben Messinger had the recap of Sunday’s game.
Former Maryland football quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will participate in the Seattle Seahawks rookie camp this weekend.
Former Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa will participate in the #Seahawks’ rookie camp this coming weekend, source says. Seattle is currently carrying three QBs on the roster, including Chevon Cordeiro, who signed as an undrafted free agent from San Jose State. pic.twitter.com/zJhNJUSGF2
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 28, 2024
Maryland softball closed out its weekend series against Purdue with a loss, dropping its fifth straight Big Ten series.
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