Two Years Ago, Transgender Rights Became Law in MA: We Must Now Retain These Protections

Pride Month is over, but a conversation is just beginning in our communities about what's being called the most controversial ballot question this Election Day: the question of whether to continue upholding our Commonwealth's transgender protections law. This weekend marks the anniversary of the law, which passed in the legislature two years ago and went into effect in October 2016. The law ensured basic protections for transgender people from discrimination in public places -- such as restaurants, stores, and doctors' offices -- and, yes, it includes protections in restrooms as well. Shortly after the law went into effect, a small but vocal group collected the small number of signatures needed to force it onto the ballot this November. Last week, dozens of local Jamaica Plain residents came together to have a very honest conversation here in our own backyard about what this law means and who it affects.

3,548 Views