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Transgender Bill Could See Delaware Senate Vote Today

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state Senate could soon vote on a bill aimed at protecting transgender people in Delaware by outlawing discrimination based on gender identity.

After a public hearing Wednesday, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee said the bill could be ready for a floor vote as early as Thursday.

The legislation defines gender identity as "a gender-related identity, appearance, expression or behavior of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex at birth."

Supporters of the bill say transgender people currently are not protected by Delaware's existing prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation because transgender people can be straight or gay.

Opponents fear among other things that it could lead to men proclaiming to identify as females having unfettered access to girls' restrooms and locker rooms.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.