Question 3 in Massachusetts could undo transgender protections
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Protections for transgender people are up in the air in Massachusetts.
As it stands right now current law in the state does not allow discrimination based on gender identity.Question 3 on this year’s ballot would change that.
That law has only been on the books in Massachusetts for 2 years. Opponents don’t like it, arguing it puts women at risk while using public restrooms while members of the LGBTQ community are offended, and can’t believe this is even up for discussion.
Transgender rights up for a vote in Massachusetts. Question 3 could undo gender identity protections passed 2 years ago.
“We’re talking 20 years of hard activism to get that done and just to have that undone by a popular vote would be incredibly bad,” says Joan Stratton with the South Coast LGBTQ Network.
The law on the books does not allow discrimination in public places based on the gender a person identifies with. Keep Massachusetts Safe, the group encouraging voters to repeal the law, argue it makes bathrooms dangerous.
“Any man who says he is a woman can enter a woman’s locker room, dressing room or bathroom at any time,” its ad says.
The organization collected 34,000 signatures to get this question on the ballot.
“This is about you going and sitting at a restaurant and being able to be yourself and have dinner. This is about you not getting kicked off a bus. This is about you having your basic human rights,” says Antonio Rodrigues with the South Coast LGBTQ Network.
For members of the LGBTQ community, it’s a personal fight turned political.
“Once I realized what it was like when I could actually be myself, then I wanted to do as much as I could so that people didn’t have to go through their childhood like I did,” says Stratton.
They say the community is already feeling the impact of the ballot question.
“Rage, anger, fear. Who is anyone, let alone government, to tell anyone how they should live their life,” says Marlyn Rarros
To be clear, a yes vote would keep the current laws in place and a no vote would repeal it.
© WLNE/ABC 6 2016
