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Have you heard about the Transgender Civil Rights Bill also known as "An Act Relative to Gender-Base Discrimination and Hate Crimes" (House Bill #1728 and Senate Bill #1687)? If passed, it will put into effect much needed employment protections for transgender people and it will also ban workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression. There is a fear among some of the bill's critics that this bill would loosen the 'right to access' rules for public bathrooms and locker rooms which would create a threat to women and children. Due to this reference to bathrooms it is now being referred to as "The Bathroom Bill" in the press.
The bill has 104 sponsors, amounting to more than half from each of the government's branches. After the Senate session held on May 6th, it was determined that this bill would undergo review for at least another month in order for the 17 member committee, some of whom have questions about the bill, to take their time. Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, which has had jurisdiction over the bill since January 2009, states there is no reason to rush this bill through if members of the Senate have questions.
The bottom-line for this bill is as follows: It will add transgender people to the list of minorities who cannot be discriminated against in employment, housing, education, credit and public accommodations, and gives them protection under the state's hate-crime laws. Right now only 21 states and the District of Columbia mandate workplace protections for sexual orientation, a mere 12 states provide legal protection for gender identity. Per the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, about 97% of the 6,450 Transgender people surveyed have experienced some form of harassment or discrimination at work, 47% were bumped over for a job or were fired because of their gender identity, and in spite of their educational background, 15% of transgender people earn less than $10,000 per year (two times the national average for that amount) and 27% report earnings of $20,000 or less. According to the survey, hostile employers forced 32% of transgender people to present themselves in the wrong gender to keep their jobs. While 62% of the overall population has access to health care at work, only 40% of transgender people do.
 By adding the words 'gender identity' to the bill's existing words of race, religion, and sexual orientation, it would protect Transgender individuals in obtaining jobs, buying homes, and aid in safety. It is already known as an antidote to discrimination and hate crimes for a great number of people in this country. The controversy leaves one wondering what the Transgender Bill's critics think is wrong with protecting everyone's right to safe and secure housing and employment that is free of discrimination.
Among those who state they would veto this bill are Charlie Baker, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate and Independent Candidate for Governor Tim Cahill. Senator Richard Tisei, Minority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate and candidate forLt Governor, is a co-sponsor of this bill. Our current Governor, Deval Patrick, has stated that he supports this bill.
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WLEN continues the series at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, June 6, with another get-together for LGBT folks over 50. (No one's checking IDs, so come along if you like the company of more mature adults who are young at heart.) We will meet again at 86 Worcester, where the owners have made their function room available to WLEN. We'll order from the bistro's regular menus. You may order as much or as little as you want. Check out the '86' website (http://www.86winter.com/index.html) for directions or to see their menus.
June's event will feature GAME NIGHT after we eat. Come on along and have some old-fashioned fun at games you played when you were a kid that don't require a power switch or a wireless connection. If you have a favorite game you want to share, bring it along.