Advertisement
Massachusetts Transgender Bill Stirs Robust Debate
Resume
The proposal dealing with transgender people and public accommodations is currently pending on Beacon Hill.
The state Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill last week, in a 33-4 vote. The House is likely to take up the debate next month, and the vote there could be much closer.
If passed and signed into law, Massachusetts would join 17 other states with similar laws already on the books. And, last week, the Obama administration issued guidance directing public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity.
Guests
Andrew Beckwith, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which tweets @MAFamilyInst.
Andrew Taylor, transgender man.
More
WBUR: When A Transgender Person Uses A Public Bathroom, Who Is At Risk?
- "But those cases involve sexual predators who put on women's clothes and violated any number of previously existing laws. And conflating 'transgender' with 'predator' is something many find offensive."
WBUR: Mass. Senate OKs Transgender Public Accommodations Bill
- "The legislation passed by a 33-4 vote. Ahead of the vote, supporters called the bill a 'basic measure of fairness.' (Opponents) said there are already laws protecting transgender people from discrimination."
This segment aired on May 18, 2016.