Conservatives in Maryland are trying to collect enough signatures to propose a referendum on a recently passed law that protects transgender residents, the Baltimore Sun reported.
MDPetitions.com, created by Republican Del. Neil Parrott, made the announcement on Tuesday to get the vote on the ballot in November. If it receives at least 18,500 signatures by May 31, voters will be able to decide on keeping or eradicating SB 212 -- dubbed the "Bathroom Bill."
However, if the referendum does not receive the minimum votes by the end of May, supporters would have to collect 55,736 signatures by June 30.
The bill, signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley, was passed by wide margins in both the Senate and House of Delegates, the Sun said. It protects transgender people from housing and employment discrimination and also allows them to use public bathrooms and locker rooms for the gender they identify with.
On the referendum's website, Parrott said the goal is to reach 25,000 signatures by May 31 and 75,000 by the end of June.
Republican Del. Kathy Szeliga told the Sun that voters she spoke with recently are "upset" with the law.
"People who know about this bill that I'm talking to are shocked and upset about it," she said.
However, supporters of the law are confident that a referendum will not succeed.
"Delegate Parrott is going to have an uphill battle to convince Marylanders to repeal fairness for all Marylanders," said Keith Thirion, director of advocacy for Equality Maryland.
