Senate Advances Mass. Transgender Protections Bill

Boston, MA - A cheering Senate passed a bill extending protections to transgender individuals in public spaces Thursday.

The bill prohibits discrimination against transgender people in public places, and protects the right to choose a restroom or other public facility that matches a person's sexual identity, regardless of anatomical sex.

It comes in the midst of a firestorm over a North Carolina bill, which restricts transgender individuals' access to public facilities, and has escalated into a legal battle with the U.S. government.

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Massachusetts' bill passed 33-4, despite supporters' previous concerns they could not achieve a two-thirds majority vote necessary to veto-proof the bill.

Then again, that may be a moot point.

Although Gov. Charlie Baker has yet to take a definitive stance on the bill, public statements by himself and on his behalf increasingly point to interest in approving the legislation.

Bill supporters eagerly point to an April 21 press statement as evidence, provided by Baker's office in response to presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump's supportive statements on transgender access to public restrooms.

As published in The Boston Globe: “The governor supports 2011 transgender protections and believes no one should be discriminated against based on their gender identity, and looks forward to reviewing a bill should the Legislature act. ... Governor Baker believes people should use the restroom facility they feel comfortable using.”

The Massachusetts House of Representatives next takes up the legislation. If passed there, it will move on to the governor's desk.

You can read the full text of the bill here.