BOSTON (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Senate is gearing up to debate a bill to protect transgender people from discrimination in public places, including restrooms.
Senate President Stan Rosenberg hosted a panel on Tuesday to educate legislators and the public about “Senate Bill 735,” which would prohibit discrimination against transgender people in public places. It would allow transgender people to use the public restroom of their choice, regardless of their gender at birth.
“Our opponents like to paint it out like the bathroom bill, but it’s really what we’re talking about is anywhere outside our home or workplace,” said Lorelei Erisis, a transgender woman.
While support for expanding transgender rights is growing in the legislature, several state lawmakers still have serious concerns about privacy and safety.
“Historically, you know, a gender-specific bathroom has been the safe haven for women if it’s a women’s bathroom, and men if it’s a men’s bathroom so I do have concerns about that,” said State Rep. Nick Boldyga, (R) Southwick.
“People try to bring up this argument about well, there are going to be perverts who are going to go in there (public restrooms) and harass women. That’s still illegal. Whether you’re a man or a woman, that doesn’t change what’s illegal about sexual harassment,” said State Rep. Aaron Vega, (D) Holyoke.
Many major companies now support transgender rights, including: Google, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Facebook
Both Rosenberg and House Speaker Robert DeLeo want to send a transgender bill to the governor’s desk by the end of July.
The state Senate is expected to take up the transgender public accommodations bill on May 12.
