In America, and especially in Massachusetts, all people should have the ability to live their lives without fear of harassment or discrimination. It is as basic as being free to eat at a restaurant with friends, take a walk in a park, board a bus or get a prescription at a pharmacy. All these daily activities take place in settings considered “public accommodations”; most of us take these for granted. We’d be outraged if someone said we couldn’t do them.
Yet this fall, there is a referendum that seeks to repeal the current law and strip away these protections from people who are transgender. In 2016, Gov. Baker signed legislation adding “gender identity” to existing Massachusetts civil rights law for public accommodations, building on prior protections regarding employment, housing, banking and higher education. Massachusetts joined 17 other states, and Washington, D.C., which now guarantee that transgender people have the same rights everyone else expects and deserves in public settings.
We are parents of transgender people. We care about the safety of our children, and we worry about the dangers when society legalizes discrimination. A 2014 survey revealed that 65% of transgender people in Massachusetts faced discrimination in a public place in the prior year. But this is not just an issue for us, the parents. We believe that our community — all of you — care. In a world of growing hate and fear, voting to uphold these vital protections for all is something you can do.
By voting YES on Question 3 on the November ballot, you affirm that the rights and protections for transgender people should remain in place.
By voting YES, you stand up for the rights of all.
By voting YES, you join with others to proclaim that respecting and protecting everyone is our shared responsibility.
If not us the voters, then who? We thank you for standing with us and our children by voting YES on Question 3 in November. We also encourage you to educate your friends, neighbors and family about this important vote.
Western Massachusetts Parents of Transgender Adults
Fred Andresson
Easthampton
Jane Andresson
Easthampton
Tobias Basin
Amherst
Stephen Celuzzaâââââââ
Sturbridge
David Chu
Easthampton
Lonnie Chu
Easthampton
Michael DeChiaraâââââââ
Shutesbury
Suzy Fortangâââââââ
Northampton
Lucy Gertzâââââââ
Shutesbury
Nancy Greco
Peru
Laura Green
Amherst
Shirley Howard
Sunderland
Lisa Jones
Wilbraham
Mark Jones
Wilbraham
Joanne Marquseeâââââââ
Northampton
Karen Robitailleâââââââ
East Longmeadow
Bonnie Gintzler Shew
Easthampton
Amy Shuman
Westfield
Marla Solomon
Amherst