Transgender People, Family Members Urge Legislators to Pass Civil Rights Bill
“This bill is about our rights, our lives, and our families”
BOSTON—Transgender people and family members this morning spoke at a press conference about the critical non-discrimination and hate crimes protections provided by the transgender civil rights bill.
“Transgender people in Massachusetts face discrimination which is widespread but largely hidden,” said Gunner Scott, director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Caucus. “We hear every day from people who are not hired, or are harassed in school, or are evicted because they are transgender. This bill would give them the legal tools to protect themselves.”
The bill, “An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes,” (H.1728/S.1687) will add “gender identity or expression” to existing Massachusetts hate crime laws and to non-discrimination laws that protect people from unequal treatment in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations, and public education. It will have the effect of protecting the state’s transgender citizens from discrimination.
“I was fired, not for my job performance, but because my employer was uncomfortable with my gender transition—which did not interfere with my job, how I supervised other employees, or performed my duties,” said Ethan St. Pierre of Haverhill. “This bill will help others facing discrimination keep their jobs.”
“The specter of discrimination is always there,” said David Hardy of Hingham, a retired teacher whose son is transgender. “It seems painfully unfair that my youngest son is not afforded the same degree of protection that is enjoyed by the rest of our family.”
Thirteen states, including Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont have similar laws. Within the Commonwealth, Boston, Cambridge, and Northampton prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. One hundred fifty-five major Massachusetts employers, such as Stop & Shop, Children’s Hospital, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and State Street Bank have non-discrimination protections covering gender identity.
The Joint Judiciary Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature will hear testimony on the civil rights bill this afternoon, starting at 2:30 PM.
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Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England's leading legal organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.