Major companies push for transgender access
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Google and Eastern Bank are wading into the debate over transgender rights, announcing Wednesday they support legislation granting people the right to use sex-segregated public accommodations consistent with their gender-identity.
The legislation would build on the state's 2011 law strengthening antidiscrimination laws that protect transgender individuals.
Senate President Stanley Rosenberg supports granting transgender individuals access to public accommodations that match up with their gender identity, Speaker Robert DeLeo has said he wanted to hear from members on the issue, and Congressman Joe Kennedy has pushed state lawmakers to make the change.
Opponents of the legislation have argued that the change could make others who share bathroom or locker room facilities uncomfortable.
"At the very least parents should feel comfortable that when they send their children to school, anatomical males would go to the boys bathroom," Rep. James Lyons, an Andover Republican, said at a 2013 Judiciary Committee hearing.
The three companies endorsing the bill Wednesday add some corporate muscle to the push for expanded transgender rights, and Gov. Charlie Baker for years was in charge of Harvard Pilgrim.
"It’s critically important that people be free from discrimination and harassment in health settings and other public accommodations having an effect on the access to health care and quality of life of transgender people in Massachusetts," Harvard Pilgrim Vice President & Chief Inclusion Officer Karen Young said in a statement distributed through Freedom Massachusetts, which is advocating for the bills.
Legislation (S 735 and H 1577) filed by House Assistant Majority Leader Byron Rushing, Rep. Denise Provost and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz would create access to public accommodations based on gender identity. Both bills were referred to the Judiciary Committee.
"The law passed in 2011 didn’t go far enough to protect the rights of transgender people. It’s time to finish the job," said Eastern Bank Human Resources Director Nancy Stager, in a statement also distributed by Freedom Massachusetts.
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