Fully Protect Transgender Bay Staters From Discrimination
Under current Massachusetts state law, it is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment and housing.
And while gay people are protected from discrimination when it comes to public places like restaurants, shopping malls or sports stadiums, there are no explicit protections barring discrimination against transgender Bay Staters.
This means a transgender person can get hired at a restaurant and then denied service at that same restaurant, just because of who they are, without any legal way of addressing this discrimination.
But we can change this. Right now, HB 1577 and SB 735—legislation that would update Massachusetts civil rights law to include non-discrimination protections for transgender people in public spaces—is sitting in committee waiting to be brought to legislative vote.
Already, this legislation has overwhelming support from the business community, local universities and a host of government offices including law enforcement agencies. It's time for lawmakers to take action and ensure state law reflects Massachusetts' values of fairness and respect.
Contact your lawmakers now and urge a swift vote to pass HB 1577 and SB 735 to protect the right of transgender Bay Staters to work and go about their lives without fear of discrimination.
To Massachusetts legislators:
As a Massachusetts resident, I am urging that the passage of SB 735 & HB 1577—legislation to fully protect transgender Bay Staters from discrimination in public spaces—be an absolute top priority of the 2016 legislative session.
Right now in Massachusetts, there are no explicit protections prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in public spaces like restaurants or hotels. That's not right and it doesn't reflect the values of our state.
SB 735 & HB 1577 has unprecedented support from 170+ businesses—large and small—and major chambers of commerce, lead law enforcement associations, top-tier colleges and universities, municipal leaders and the entire congressional delegation. And supermajority public support is as strong as ever.
[Your comment will be added here]
I sincerely hope the legislature will call a vote and make this important update to Massachusetts' public accommodation law to protect transgender people first thing in 2016. Please support SB 735 & HB 1577.
Thank you!
[Your name]
