Montgomery County voters will decide whether to repeal a new county law that protects transgender people from discrimination, after the county board of elections approved a referendum petition Friday.
Opponents to thelaw gathered 32,000 signatures to force the referendum that will appear on the November ballot.
Passed by the County Council in November and approved by County Executive Ike Leggett, opponents argue the law puts women and children at greater risk of assault in places like public restrooms.
Opponents also want the law to exempt schools so they won’t get sued if they choose not to hire an otherwise qualified instructor because they are transgender.
Supporters of the measure say that is inaccurate because the policy does nothing to change existing law about how the public can access public restrooms or locker rooms.
