Repeal of Transgender Law Lands on 2018 Massachusetts Ballot

Voters across the state of Massachusetts will decide the fate of the state's newly passed Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law, after news Tuesday that an opposition group has successfully landed a push for its repeal on the 2018 statewide ballot.

Opponents characterized the ballot push as part of a "reckless, anti-transgender agenda." Supporters of the initiative cheered it as "a huge answer to prayer." Both groups said the Secretary of State has confirmed that enough signatures were submitted to put the question on next year's ballot.

RELATED: Churches Sue Massachusetts over Transgender Anti-Discrimination

Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law Takes Effect

Meanwhile, the landmark legislation, meant to protect the rights of transgender individuals in Massachusetts, has barely taken hold. The law provides protections against discrimination for transgender individuals in public places, and protects the ability to choose a restroom or other public facility that matches one's sexual identity, regardless of anatomical sex. It passed in July, but didn't take full effect until Oct. 1.

"As voters began to learn about the full impact of this law, we saw them often move from alarm to action. We look forward to spending the next two years continuing to raise awareness about the dangers of this law and making sure voters are fully educated on what is at stake," the Family Institute's Andrew Beckwith said in a statement on the signature collection campaign, in which he alleged signers received threats.

In an announcement to supporters, the Freedom Massachusetts coalition, which supported the 2016 law, urged its supporters to remember its protections remains in effect for now.

"Opponents of equality will stop at nothing to make transgender discrimination legal again," Freedom Massachusetts' Mason Dunn said in a message to supporters. "The fact that our opponents qualified for the ballot in NO way changes the fact that transgender non-discrimination is the law of the land. Transgender Bay Staters are fully protected—and they will remain protected between now and the 2018 election."

According to Dunn, Freedom Massachusetts has already filed to create a ballot committee that will defend the law—"and we will fight from now until election day in 2018."

Read More:

• Transgender Allies Celebrate Milestone in Massachusetts
• Mass. Group Pushes to Repeal Transgender Accommodations Law

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