O'Malley Vows to Fight For Tougher Antidiscrimination Laws

Gov. Martin O’Malley vowed to fight for stronger antidiscrimination laws next year following the indictment on Monday of a Baltimore County woman for allegedly assaulting a transgender woman last month at a Rosedale McDonald’s.

O’Malley also commended Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger for the indictment against 18-year-old Teonna Brown, who already faced assault charges for the attack on . A since-fired McDonald’s employee recorded the attack on his cell phone before posting it online, which then went viral on the Internet.

“Even with Maryland's 'hate crimes' law, it is clear that more must be done to protect the rights and dignity of transgendered people,” said O’Malley in a statement. “In the struggle for justice and equality for all, I'm committed to working with the Maryland General Assembly during the next legislative session to increase awareness and provide even greater protections for transgendered people.

“As some have noted, out of this awful beating has come a moment to foster a deeper understanding and respect for the dignity of all persons. We should not allow the moment to pass without greater action.”

O'Malley's statement comes as welcome news to Equality Maryland, whose lobbying efforts came up short during the recently completed session to pass a bill that would extend discrimination protections to transgendered individuals.

Lynne Bowman, interim executive director of Equality Maryland, said her organization plans, through its “Transgender Education Project,” to educate Maryland residents about issues related to gender identity and the challenges transgender people face just trying to go about their daily lives. The organization also plans to continue its push in Annapolis to see gender identity protections added to Maryland's existing antidiscrimination laws.

According to a February 2011 population survey report issued by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 51 percent reported being harassed and/or bullied in school, 61 percent said they were victims of a physical assault, while 64 percent reported being a victim of sexual assault.

"[Monday], the State's Attorney for Baltimore County came to the only possible conclusion in deciding to try the assault on Chrissy Lee Polis as a hate crime,” said Bowman in a statement.

“As the video shows, the violent attack was directly related to the fact that Ms. Polis is a transgender woman. Lack of understanding or fear about someone who is transgender is never an excuse for violence and when it occurs, it should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."