ROCKVILLE, Md.—Opponents of a new Montgomery County (Maryland) law protecting transgender people from discrimination have gathered 32,000 petition signatures, enough apparently to put the issue to voters.

The group that organized the petition drive, Citizens for a Responsible Government, says the law protects only a few people while infringing on the privacy rights of many others.

The law protects transgender people from discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and taxi and cable service. It was scheduled to take effect Feb. 20 but now appears headed for a voter referendum in November.

Critics believe the law threatens privacy in public restrooms, but supporters say the claim is a scare tactic and the law does not mandate changes in restrooms.