Breaking: Massachusetts Passes Transgender Protections Bill
House Passes Bill After Senate Passage Last Month
The Massachusetts House has just passed a bill banning discrimination against transgender people in areas of public accommodation, including restaurants, stores, hotels, schools, sports arenas, and other areas. The legislation specifically allows transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. Lawmakers debated for nearly seven hours before the final vote, which was 116-36.
Incredible show of support from the #mahouse. Bravo! #TransBillMA 116 – 36 pic.twitter.com/Bnd4F6PmtZ
— Jennifer Benson (@RepJenBenson) June 1, 2016
Rep. Fernandes on #TransBillMA “We can’t create a protected class and leave them out of public accommodations.†pic.twitter.com/tFL1M69lU3
— GLAD (@GLADLaw) June 1, 2016
Members of the Massachusetts Senate passed a similar bill last month, 33-4. The bill will need to be reconciled with the Senate version before heading to the governor’s desk. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has said he will sign the legislation. “No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity,†Baker said.
Opposition to the legislation was long and deep. 36 amendments, almost all anti-LGBT or poison pills, were offered, debated, and voted upon. Almost every single one failed — all anti-equality ones did.
Huzzah! All anti-equality amendments have finally been rejected! #TransBillMA #EveryoneWelcome
— ACLU Massachusetts (@ACLU_Mass) June 1, 2016
There are only 18 other states and the District of Columbia with similar legislation on the books.
.@Barber4StateRep gives maiden speech in support of #TransBillMA, urging colleagues to support all members of the Commonwealth.
— ACLU Massachusetts (@ACLU_Mass) June 1, 2016
#TransBillMA and similar ordinances improve public safety. Proud to call @Barber4StateRep my Representative. pic.twitter.com/7B8TmDaCyE
— Courtney Chelo (@courtneychelo) June 1, 2016
Rep Barber: We have these protections in my community – with no public safety issues. #TransBillMA pic.twitter.com/9SyisNQiwv
— Freedom Mass (@Freedom_Mass) June 1, 2016
Rep. Fernandes: discrimination endangers the freedom, civil rights, and lives of trans people. #TransBillMA pic.twitter.com/sQDOdilLYO
— ACLU Massachusetts (@ACLU_Mass) June 1, 2016
Rep @ByronRushing says today, “we are doing the work the founders of our nation intended for us to do.” #TransBillMA
— Freedom Mass (@Freedom_Mass) June 1, 2016
The bill’s chief sponsor was Rep. Denise Provost.
UPDATE: 6:56 PM EDT –
Massachusetts Senate President offers support:
The @MA_Senate looks forward to working with the House to send a #TransBillMa to the Governor’s desk.
— Stan Rosenberg (@SenStan) June 1, 2016
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Image by Freedom Massachusetts via TwitterÂ
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This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.
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