Protecting transgendered Massachusetts: Lobby wants laws against discrimination
by Steven Stites, Boston NOW
May 16, 2007
Activists supporting civil rights legislation for transgendered persons swarmed the Statehouse yesterday in what organizers called the first transgendered lobbying day.
The House of Representatives is currently considering Bill 1722, which would make Massachusetts the 14th state to include transgendered persons in its non-discrimination statute and the tenth state to include the transgendered in hate crime laws.
Supporters were given a brief lesson on how to lobby their legislators, then let loose to introduce themselves to legislators and aides, with an emphasis on telling the legislators their personal stories of discrimination.
Gunner Scott, co-chair of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), was pleased with the turnout, which numbered almost 100.
"We expected 25-30 people," he said.
May 15 was selected because it is national Clock In For Equality Day. Scott expects further lobbying to occur as the vote for the bill approaches.
"We want to build up our community to speak for themselves," he said.
State Rep. Carl Sciortino (D-Somerville), who introduced the legislation along with State Reps. Byron Rushing (D-Boston) and Jarrett Barrios (D-Cambridge), believes the bill is a necessary piece of the civil rights puzzle.
"We want to bring justice to a community that has long been forgotten and ignored," Sciortino said. "This is democracy in action."
Sciortino said over 20 legislators have indicated their support for the bill. Supporters hope to increase that number by "making sure the legislators hear the voices and see the faces of the transgender community," Sciortino said.
Bill 1722 is currently before the House Judicial Committee. A hearing is still unscheduled.