Maryland Democrats Slam Republican Larry Hogan for Dismissing Concerns of LGBTQ+ Marylander During Telephone Town Hall

During a telephone town hall last week, Republican Larry Hogan dismissed concerns from an LGBTQ+ Marylander who criticized his well-documented record of refusing to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights. Here’s a reminder of Hogan’s real record on LGBTQ+ rights:

• As noted by the caller, Hogan refused to sign legislation banning the hateful “gay panic defense,” which allows criminal defendants to reduce or evade culpability because of  their victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Also noted by the caller, Hogan refused to sign legislation expanding the definition of a hate crime to include gender identity.
• Hogan refused to sign legislation creating Maryland’s Commission on LGBTQ Affairs.
• Hogan refused to sign legislation protecting LGBTQ+ students and their families from discrimination in schools.
• Hogan refused to sign legislation prohibiting health care providers from discriminating against LGBTQ+ patients.
• Hogan refused to sign legislation making gender identity a protected class in Maryland.
• Hogan refused to sign legislation making it easier for transgender Marylanders to change their driver’s licenses, marriage licenses, or birth certificates.
• Hogan refused to sign legislation requiring insurers who cover IVF for straight couples to do so for LGBTQ+ couples.

“Larry Hogan is no friend to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Maryland Delegate and Chair of the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus Kris Fair. “As governor, he refused to take a stand on basic legislation to protect LGBTQ+ Marylanders from hate crimes, stop discrimination against LGBTQ+ students and patients, or eliminate the so-called ‘panic defense’ that allows criminals to evade culpability when they harm LGBTQ+ people. Hogan is unfit to represent LBGTQ+ Marylanders in the U.S. Senate.”

“Republican Larry Hogan can’t rewrite history,” said Maryland Delegate and member of the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus Anne Kaiser. “Hogan made clear throughout his time as governor that he will not stand up for Maryland’s LGBTQ+ community. If elected to the Senate, Hogan could be the 51st seat Republicans need to push forward an agenda that’ll rip away rights from LGBTQ+ Marylanders.”

“Republicans need one more Senate seat to control the agenda,” said Maryland State Senator and member of the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus Mary Washington. “If Larry Hogan is elected, he’d turn the Senate over to Republicans and help roll back the progress that the Biden-Harris Administration has made to ensure that ALL families in Maryland have the protections we need. Our community can’t afford a Republican-controlled Senate flipped by Larry Hogan.”

See also: ICYMI: Republican Larry Hogan “Stayed On the Sidelines” When It Came to Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights as Governor [Baltimore Banner]