R A I N B O W R E S I S TA N C E
Transgender Rights at Risk in Massachusetts Voters Will Be Asked on November Ballot Whether to Continue Protecting Transgender Neighbors from Discrimination By
Mason Dunn and Kasey Suffredini
Our state’s reputation at the forefront opponents attempt to evoke fear in voters of the LGBTQ equality movement has a through misinformation and misleading distinguished place in history, but faces a narratives; and, the truth is, for those who serious threat this year. This November, don’t know a transgender person, their mesvoters in Massachusetts will be presented sage can be effective. The good news is we with a ballot question regarding whether to have a plan to bring the truth to voters. The uphold our state’s existing transgender facts are clear: 18 states and more than 250 nondiscrimination law. A “yes” vote will cities across the nation – including Boston, protect the law from repeal and solidify Salem, and Worcester – have established Massachusetts as a state that values inclutransgender nondiscrimination ordinances siveness and acceptance. or laws, and there has been no uptick in The passage of the law in 2016 was hispublic safety incidents. These laws do not toric, even by Massachusetts standards. It Credit: Courtesy of Freedom for All Massachusetts. make our communities any less safe. took nearly a decade to update our laws to Our coalition includes the state’s law enexplicitly protect transgender people from discrimination in public forcement associations, safety advocacy groups, more than 250 busiplaces such as restaurants, shops, medical offices, and, yes, public rest- nesses, 350 clergy and congregations, 11 labor unions representing rooms and locker rooms. We celebrated as Governor Charlie Baker more than 750,000 families, and every major professional sports team signed the legislation into law, knowing that finally our friends, co- in New England. workers, and neighbors who are transgender, and both of us, could Now is the time to mobilize. Our coalition is executing a robust finally live our lives with the same dignity and respect everyone else campaign to provide voters with the critical information they need expects. Whether going to the mall, attending a movie, or visiting a to make the right choice on election day. Will you join us in this hospital, transgender people were finally afforded the same basic pro- movement to uphold transgender rights? tections everyone else enjoys. Our campaign – Freedom for All Massachusetts – is powered It didn’t take long after the passage of the law for opponents of by volunteers who work with us to reach voters on the phone and at transgender rights to strike, gathering the low threshold of signatures their doorstep. This is how we will win, reaching one voter at a time. necessary to place the law on the November 2018 ballot for repeal, Learn more by visiting us at www.FreedomMA.org and help us make placing Massachusetts at the epicenter of the transgender rights history again here in Massachusetts. We also have resources available movement in America. on our website to help people in their discussions with friends, family, Repealing this law would not only have a disastrous impact on and co-workers. Every conversation helps. our friends and neighbors who are transgender here in Massachusetts, The time volunteers dedicate to this effort is essential to solidibut would give opponents of transgender equality traction in their fying Massachusetts’ place at the forefront of LGBTQ equality. attempt to roll back protections across the nation. The ballot question here this November will be the first statewide ballot question on Mason Dunn is Co-chair of Freedom for All Massachutransgender protections in American history. The stakes are as high setts and Executive Director of the Mass Trans Political as they come. Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group working to end Transgender people, including the thousands of young people discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Credit: Hurley Event Photography. who identify as transgender, deserve to live and grow up in a state that affirms who they are, and that goes to the lengths necessary to protect Kasey Suffredini is Co-chair of Freedom for All Massathem from discrimination. With so much divisiveness in our national chusetts and President of Strategy for Freedom for All politics, it has become increasingly clear that our state laws are the Americans. first, and at times only, line of defense for the LGBTQ community. Credit: Hurley Event Photography. We know we cannot take a win for granted this November. Our 148 | Boston Pride 2018
