Earlier today MSNBC's Ronan Farrow Daily took opponents of a Maryland transgender nondiscrimination law to task.
The Fairness for All Marylanders Act passed the Maryland legislature last month, paving the way for a statewide ban on antitransgender discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. Earlier this week, the law's opponents launched a repeal effort in the form of a signature drive with the goal of placing the law up for public referendum.
"[The law's opponents] are playing on the myth of sexual predators exploiting equal access laws to sneak into women's restrooms," Farrow points out, highlighting a frequently used -- yet debunked -- talking point used by conservatives to attack trans-inclusive bills.
Farrow brought on New York-based transgender activist Mel Wymore to discuss deeper trans-related issues, touching on issues like media representation of trans individuals, and asking how trans allies can ensure that society becomes more inclusive of trans identities.
Farrow's coverage makes him the third MSNBC host to include a transgender guest as part of their in-depth coverage, joining Chris Hayes and Melissa Harris-Perry. In March, Hayes interviewed Monica Jones, and Harris-Perry frequently includes trans guests on her panel, including Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and CeCe McDonald, among others.
Suspiciously absent from the list of hosts on the progressive network who have devoted significant airtime to trans coverage is Rachel Maddow.
Openly lesbian, Maddow has frequently covered issues impacting the LGBT communities, but has shied away from covering trans-centric stories like those of Monica Jones or CeCe McDonald, and doesn't appear to have ever had a transgender guest. Additionally, she found herself being called out by the likes of GLAAD and trans activist Dana Beyer for repeatedly avoiding the use of the phrase "gender identity" to mention that transgender individuals were included in the most recent version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Watch a clip from today's episode of Ronan Farrow Daily below, courtesy ofMedia Matters: