Last Thursday, hundreds of transgender Massachusetts residents gathered in the State House to lobby (yet again) for the right to stand under the state's hate crime and nondiscrimination umbrella. Currently, a range of person-flavors are covered—including race, religion, age, nationality, disability, sex and sexual orientation—but not transgender identity.
Ironically, transgender individuals—defined by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) as a "people who transition from one gender to another and/or people who defy social expectations of how they should look, act, or identify based on their birth sex"—are probably the most widely discriminated against.
The bill was first introduced by Rep. Carl Sciortino, D-Medford, and Rep. Byron Rushing, D-Boston, in 2007. The Judiciary Committee sent it to study, which is usually a nice way of putting something aside and letting it collect dust until the session's end. "The gay rights bill was passed in 1989. And we were the second state to pass the gay rights bill," Sciortino said. "It's like a technical correction or playing catch-up with what should've been done in 1989. But frankly, trans rights weren't at the forefront of discussion yet."
Opponents have not-so-affectionately dubbed it the "bathroom bill," after their main concern: Groups like the Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI) worry that people will use bathrooms designated for the opposite sex. "We oppose the bill because we believe it's bad public policy regarding the modesty and the safety of women and children in public facilities," MFI President Kris Mineau said. "If a bathroom is listed as a men's facility, or a shower facility is listed as a men's facility, and likewise for women, then we do not agree with people using that facility from the opposite sex."
Gunner Scott, executive director of the MTPC (not the pro wrestler), argued transgender people are already using the restroom that they generally identify with (besides, that's not exactly illegal). "It doesn't make any sense. We're already using those bathrooms. It's not about using bathrooms. This is about people not being discriminated against," he said. "This is about telling employers, landlords that they can't say to someone, 'I'm not going to hire you because you're transgender' or 'I don't like the way you look.'"
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- On February 06 At 20:03 -Sienna- said
Hello....Why do they think that we are some sort of crazy individuals who are going to be peeping under stalls or harming children in public bathrooms. We just want to be able to do what is neccessary in there and get out and on with our business. Don't they understand that we too fear that if we use the male bathroom as we are "en femme" that we take the chance of being harmed by those that don't understand us. I have used a ladies washroom many of times (whether it is legal or not: 'cuz I have to go) and present myself well, do what I came in for, wash my hands and exit without ever being questioned. Lets stop and think about the fact that we are all people regardless of our dress and should all be treated with the same dignity and respect. Love, Sienna Day
- On February 06 At 20:03 -Sienna- said
Hello....Why do they think that we are some sort of crazy individuals who are going to be peeping under stalls or harming children in public bathrooms. We just want to be able to do what is neccessary in there and get out and on with our business. Don't they understand that we too fear that if we use the male bathroom as we are "en femme" that we take the chance of being harmed by those that don't understand us. I have used a ladies washroom many of times (whether it is legal or not: 'cuz I have to go) and present myself well, do what I came in for, wash my hands and exit without ever being questioned. Lets stop and think about the fact that we are all people regardless of our dress and should all be treated with the same dignity and respect. Love, Sienna Day
