Opponents Protest Transgender Bill on Frederick Road

A small group of Catonsville residents and opponents of the transgender bill stood outside Councilman Tom Quirk's office on Frederick Road Monday morning protesting the legislation.

Between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., approximately 15 people stood outside of Quirk's council office, located at 754 Frederick Road, holding signs and waving at passersby.

The protest was organized by Catonsville resident Allison Baird, who said that she wanted Catonsville residents to be aware of the bill that Quirk introduced. Baird said she talked to many people in the area who were not aware of the bill, which was introduced by Quirk in January.

The purpose of the bill is to protect transgendered people against discrimination, but opponents have raised concerns about the bill's extension to dealing with transgendered people using public restrooms.

Baird said she is concerned about the safety of women and children that could be preyed upon in public restrooms by a predator posing as a transgendered person.

"If you make a law, then people will want to misuse the benefits of it," she said. "It's not the transgendered issue I'm worried about, it's everybody else."

The protestors held signs saying things like "not in my bathroom" and "Quirk betrayed children."

Quirk, who said he was not in his council office Monday, said he has spoken to the some of the protestors about their concerns.

While Quirk said he supports their right to protest, he said he disagrees with their concerns about safety.

"I think it's fear mongering and nonsense," he said.

The bill is slated to be voted on by the council on Tuesday night.

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