Candidate Khrystian King supports public accommodation protections
Update (7/31): A second candidate, Dan Donahue, has replied in support of the bill. Read his statement at the end of the post.
Another special election is on the horizon here in Worcester. On September 10, voters in the 16th Worcester Massachusetts House district will decide who will become the next person to represent them in the state legislature. The district encompasses the southern half of the city.
The election result will directly affect the quality of life for lesbian, gay, bisexual and especially transgender residents of the district. Whoever is elected will be voting on “An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and All Other Places Open to the Public” (HB 1589/SB 643) which would add “gender identity” to the list of classes protected from discrimination in public accommodations. The bill received its first committee hearing in early July.
State law already forbids discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of religious sect, creed, class, race, color, denomination, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, deafness, or any physical or mental disability. The neighboring states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine already provide public accommodations protections on the basis of gender identity and expression.
A Democratic primary will be held on August 13 to determine which of the five Democratic contenders will face the single Republican candidate in the September 10 special election.
It’s time to learn the candidates’ views on the bill. To that end, on Sunday morning I sent to following note to each of the six candidates in the race, Carol Claros, Dan Donahue, Khrystian King, Daniele Nanni, Jim O’Brien, and Josh Perro:
Dear _____,
I am writing to ask whether, if elected, you plan to co-sponsor or vote for “An Act Relative to Equal Access in Hospitals, Public Transportation, Nursing Homes, Supermarkets, Retail Establishments, and All Other Places Open to the Public” (HB 1589 / SB 643), introduced in the House by Representatives Carl Sciortino and Byron Rushing and in the Senate by Senators Ben Downing and Sonia Chang-Diaz. This proposed law would prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation such as hospitals, hotels, restaurants and public transportation on the basis of gender identity or expression.
Massachusetts state law already forbids discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of religious sect, creed, class, race, color, denomination, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, deafness, or any physical or mental disability. The neighboring states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine already provide public accommodations protections on the basis of gender identity and expression.
Sincerely,
Laurel Ramseyer
Worcester, MA
Khrystian King, a Democrat, was the only candidate to reply. He did so promptly, writing:
Hi Laurel,
Thank you for your email. I would support HB 1589/SB 643.
As you may know, professionally I am social worker at the Department of Children and Families. In addition to my full time duties, I am the volunteer LGBTQ liaison for the Worcester DCF office. In this capacity (for which I receive no additional compensation or reduction in duties), I meet with LGBTQ youth who come through our system to make sure they receive a placement where they feel comfortable and that we are otherwise meeting their needs.
I would be honored to have your support.
Khrys
As much as I am delighted with Mr. King’s response, it’s disappointing that he was the only candidate who chose to reply. Even responses from the other candidates expressing opposition to the bill, while disappointing in substance, would have been preferable to radio silence since a response signals the likelihood that the candidate will be responsive to constituents if elected. Maybe it’s no accident that Khrystian King is the only candidate who has provided multiple ways to contact him on his website.
Update: Dan Donahue’s statement:
Laurel,
Sorry for the short delay in getting back to you.
I would support HB 1589 without qualification. Massachusetts – and Worcester in particular – has long been on the forefront of fighting discrimination. It’s my personal belief that ALL members of our society should be fully protected, regardless of gender identity, expression, sexual orientation, or any other criteria.
Thank you for your note,
Dan Donahue
Cross-posted at Justice For All.
