WESTFIELD – Rep. John C. Velis (D-Westfield) said that after a very lengthy debate, and some 35 votes, the Transgender Accommodation bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday with a vote of 116-36.
The bill reads: Any public accommodation including without limitation any entity that offers the provision of goods, services, or access to the public that lawfully segregates or separates access to such public accommodation or other entity based on a person’s sex shall grant all persons admission to and the full enjoyment of such public accommodation or other entity consistent with the person’s gender identity.
“It was a very lengthy debate,” said Velis, who voted for the bill. He said there were several amendments put forward by some Democrats but mostly Republicans to beef up public security, for which he also voted.
“I heard loud and clear about public safety concerns,” he said.
For example, one amendment exempted sex offenders from the accommodation, which Velis said he was 100% behind, and was shocked that it did not pass. He also supported exemptions for multiple capacity locker rooms, for ones used primarily by minors, and for schools. He also voted for an exemption for law enforcement, to shield and protect them from any kind of liability.
“I was in support of all of the amendments that addressed the underlying safety issues. Much to the surprise of many of us, all of the amendments were shot down,” Velis said. He said the votes were mainly along party lines, and he voted with Republicans on many of them.
While the public focused on the aspect of the bill regarding restrooms and locker rooms, Velis said that the bill had more to do with diners and restaurants. For example, a transgender person could work at a diner under previous protections, but that same person could be asked to leave the diner after work if someone said they were made to feel uncomfortable by his or her presence.
“I believe that we should live and let live,” Velis said. “The bill addresses blatant discrimination against folks that are different from us.”
He added that he is concerned about the controlling narratives in America right now. In the 1960’s, when JFK was president, he said the prevailing topic was who would be the first to get a man into space. With the issues around suicide, homelessness, the heroin epidemic, cancer, and affordable education, he said it is nonsensical what is important to us as a nation.
“I’m happy that the vote is behind us, and am anxiously looking forward to going back to Boston and truly make it better for the people of Westfield and the Commonwealth,” Velis said.
