As many of you may know, despite wide support, the Transgender Rights bill is stuck in Committee and time is running out to move it forward before the May 7 deadline.
The following alert went out to members of the Young Democrats of Massachusetts, and I hope you will join us in our efforts to urge the Judiciary Committee to step up and move this bill forward.
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. We have the chance to ensure all people are treated equally under the law, but only if we take a moment to speak out now.
With more than 100 co-sponsors and wide support, Massachusetts has the chance to join 13 states, Washington, DC, and 108 counties & cities (including Boston, Cambridge, Northampton, and Amherst) in banning discrimination in our communities through “An Act Relative to Gender-Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes.”
But we won't be able to take this important step unless the Judiciary Committee acts before May 7. We need your help to urge Co-Chairs Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty & Sen. Cynthia Creem bring this to a vote.
Young Democrats of Massachusetts stand with Gov. Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and so many other elected officials and community members in supporting equal rights and passing this bill. Please take 30 seconds to email your legislators and the Judiciary Co-Chairs to urge them to act now.
The Board of YDM voted unanimously to endorse support equal rights for transgender people through this bill; take a look at the official letter sent to the Judiciary Committee by the YDM Board.Thank you for your help on this important issue.
…especially if you are one of their constituents. Here is the full committee list:
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p>Creem of First Middlesex and Norfolk- Chair
Baddour of First Essex – Vice-Chair
Candaras of First Hampden and Hampshire
Hart of First Suffolk
McGee of Third Essex and Middlesex
Tarr of Essex and Middlesex
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p>O’Flaherty of Chelsea – Chair
Speranzo of Pittsfield- Vice-Chair
Fagan of Taunton
Garry of Dracut
St. Fleur of Boston
Fernandes of Milford
Clark of Melrose
Dwyer of Woburn
Gregoire of Marlborough
Evangelidis of Holden
Webster of Pembroke