MA Transgender Civil Rights Legislation

No one deserves to be fired, refused work, denied housing, education or credit, or suffer harassment or violence just because of who they are -- but transgender and gender non-conforming people in Massachusetts routinely face all of these for transitioning from one sex to another, or simply for defying expectations of what a "normal" man or woman looks like.

From 2002-2006, transgender victims of hate crimes comprised over 6.3% of the total number of anti-LGBT hate crime victims -- a number completely disproportionate to their actual population. In the Greater Boston area, a 2006 survey found that fewer than 25% of transgender women were employed full-time, only 20% held part-time employment, and 55% had been homeless at some point. Transgender people in Massachusetts have reported losing their jobs, being harassed by landlords, feeling unsafe in their own schools and even being turned away from local emergency rooms.

Nationwide, 13 states, Washington D.C., and 108 counties and cities have passed legislation to ban this discrimination in their communities -- including Boston, Cambridge, Northampton, and Amherst.

"An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes" has been re-introduced for the 2009 legislative session in the House by Representative Carl Sciortino and Representative Byron Rushing (HB 1728) and in the Senate by Senator Benjamin Downing.

This bill will make explicit the Commonwealth's commitment to providing people of diverse gender identities and expressions equal protection under the law, and guarantee transgender and gender non-conforming people the opportunity to contribute to their communities and to the local economy. It sends a clear message that everyone should be able to work, go to school, and live without fear in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition applauds the many policy makers who support "An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes" including:

• Governor Deval Patrick
• State Attorney General Martha Coakley
• Congressman Barney Frank
• Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral
• Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino
• Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons
• Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins
• Boston City Council President Maureen Feeney

There is a statewide coalition of individuals, bar associations, unions, schools, businesses, congregations, leaders of faith, and community groups supporting this legislation as well.

The need for this legislation is real; the time to pass it is now. Click here to learn how you can help -- it can be as easy as picking up the phone, and we'll show you how, step-by-step!

We have a majority sponsorship in both the House and Senate, but need to win a Judiciary Committee vote before it can come before either chamber.

Learn more:

About the legislation

This new legislation would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender expression or identity, and would affect employment, hate crimes, and more. [learn more]

Community Meetings

These meetings have been, and will continue to be held around the state, to give all trans persons, friends, family and allies an opportunity to learn about, and participate in, our statewide legislative effort. [learn more]

How You Can Help Now

It's as easy as picking up the phone. We show you how, step by step. [learn more]

More Resources

Learn more about Massachusetts government and state law, state senators and representatives, and leading trans and GLBT legal and activist resources. [learn more]

Join the Transgender Civil Rights Coalition

MTPC leads a statewide coalition of partners to educate communities, legislators, and policy makers on transgender discrimination, hate crimes and the legislation, "An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes."

Coalition Partners are listed here on our website, and in printed materials. Partners will also receive opportunities such as invitations to forums, educational sessions, and media exposure.

MTPC supports this legislation and we are asking your organization to do the same. Please become a Transgender Civil Rights Coalition Partner.

[Transgender Civil Rights Coalition Partner Form]

History of "An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes"

In 2007, legislation to add Massachusetts to the list of states that have provided equal opportunity to people of all genders and amend existing hate crimes laws to include transgender people was introduced by Representative Carl Sciortino and Representative Byron Rushing. The bill was sent to the Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing on it in March 2008. Although testimony in support of the legislation was overwhelming, ultimately the committee sent the bill to study, where it stayed until the end of the 2007-2008 legislative session.