An ebullient crowd gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. to celebrate Gov. Deval Patrick’s ceremonial signing of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill.
The bill, which was approved by the House on Nov. 15, 2011 and the Senate on Nov. 16, was signed into law by Gov. Patrick on Nov. 23. The bill legally protects transgender Massachusetts residents from discrimination in housing, employment and credit.
Transgender Massachusetts residents and LGBT allies bearing video cameras, legislative aides wearing political buttons, and mothers holding children wearing rainbow bandanas crowded the chamber at the State House to hear a series of speeches from activists and politicians prior to the bill’s signing.
Many of the speakers said they saw the passage of the bill as a great victory, an example of courage, collaboration and tenacity that embodied a victory for civil rights.
"This is about what happens when people turn toward each other instead of away from each other," said Patrick. "I signed this bill as a manner of conscience. ...I want to thank you for turning this bill from an idea into a law."
For Gunner Scott, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), the new law will prove transformative for many members of the transgender community, which numbers likely more than 33,000 strong in Massachusetts.
"This law is about affirming rights," said Scott. "This law is for people who think they can deny us those rights... This piece of paper is not magic, but for many of us it is the result of hard work that will change our lives."
Attorney General Martha Coakley also spoke at the signing, saying when she meets critics of the bill, she explains that she believes the bill will enable the state to better protect its citizens.
"This law will strengthen our ability to protect, and will not diminish our ability to protect from crime," said Coakley.
Some speakers reminisced about the process of turning the bill from a concept to a reality. Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo said his first event as speaker was a MassEquality dinner in February 2009. There, he said, he spoke about how he hoped to someday pass a transgender equal rights bill.
"It took a little longer than I thought it would, but bottom line, we got it done," said DeLeo.
Other elected officials, including Rep. Byron Rushing (D - Boston), also spoke at the event about the importance of the bill. Sen. Ben Downing (D - Pittsfield) and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D - Boston) each said they saw the passage of this bill as a reminder of how powerful advocacy can be.
"Too often, people believe they have no power when it comes to government," said Downing. "It is separate, distant. But you are powerful."
Chang-Diaz said the bill acted as a reminder of why she serves as a public figure.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me why I ran for office in the first place," said Chang-Diaz.
Rep. Kate Hogan (D - Stow) did not attend the event due to scheduling conflicts, including visiting schools in her district and a meeting with local businesses, according to legislative aide Scott Kjellberg.
"She is a supporter and was hoping to be there," said Kjellberg.
Although speakers at the event were jubilant about the passage of the bill, they also said there is still work to be done.
"This isn’t the last fight to be reckoned with," said Patrick. "There is unfinished business in the department of doing right in the community."
MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini said she thinks the next step in achieving equal rights for transgender people is to pass public accommodations laws, which would extend transgender protection to public places such as hotels, restaurants and buses. Detractors of public accommodation laws say they fear the laws would lead to gender neutral bathroom and changing rooms.
After the speeches, the crowd surged forward, brandishing video cameras, to watch Patrick ceremonially sign the bill into law.
