Before the Maryland House of Delegates Health and Government Operations Committee heard testimony on Wednesday, March 9, from many supporters and a few opponents of House Bill 235, a bill that would prohibit discrimination in the state on the basis of gender identity in the areas of areas of housing, employment, licensing and commercial leasing, Equality Maryland held a press conference in the same building.
Speaking at the event were supporters of the bill, including Father Joseph Palacios, a board member of Catholics for Equality, Donna Cartwright, president of Pride at Work, and Alex Hickox, who talked about the fear of losing his job for coming out as transgender and the impact that would have on his life and home.
"I shouldn't be judged on being transgender, nor my gender expression, what I should be judged on, what all of us should be judged on is our work ethic and our ability to to do our jobs," Hickox, 34, said.
Today the equal rights organization posted video from the press conference. Below are Hickox's, and Palacios' speeches. To view more video from the March 9 press conference, visit Equality Maryland's YouTube channel.
Alex Hickox:
Father Joseph Palacios:
