Parents offer support for Transgender Rights Bill

Mothers and fathers of transgender children join together to demand equality.

Parents of transgender people came together at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, April 27 to show their support for the Transgender Civil Rights Bill along with state representatives and members of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC).

"It is a great source of frustration to my wife and I that the Legislature has moved so slowly in providing protections in the realm of gender equality," said Dave Hardy, a retired Boston Public Schools teacher and father of three sons, one of whom is transgender.

H. 1728/S. 1687, or "An Act Relative to Gender Identity and Expression," would offer employment protections for transgender people and outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression.

"It took us a long time to stop saying 'No Irish Need Apply,'" Marion Freedman-Gurspan, a Brookline social worker and mother of a transgender daughter, said. "It is now time to take another step forward and forbid discrimination based on gender identity so that all of our sons and daughters can have a fair chance at leading happy and productive lives."

Local LGBT advocacy organizations applauded the parents and attendees of the press conference. "Parents of transgender people simply want what all parents want for their children: love, happiness, health, safety, and the ability to achieve their full potential as human beings, without fear of violence and discrimination," said Scott Gortikov, executive director of MassEquality. "Their voices need to be heard in this debate."

State Representatives Marty Walz, Ellen Story, and Liz Malia were on hand at the press conference to speak in support of the Transgender Civil Rights Bill. The proposed legislation has received much attention of late following gubernatorial candidate Republican Charlie Baker's announcement at the Massachusetts Republican Convention Saturday, April 17 that he would veto the bill if elected. (See Bay Windows, April 22 - 28, 2010, page 1). The announcement drew much criticism from Boston's LGBT community, and a pledge from Democrat incumbent candidate Deval Patrick to pass the bill. "I feel very strongly that discrimination should not appear in our Constitution or in our laws," the governor said. "I look forward to the bill passing and getting to my desk just as soon as possible." Patrick's and Brown's opponent, state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, also pledged to veto the bill.

Retired Quincy firefighter Ken Garber, with wife Marcia at his side, paused with emotion on Tuesday as he told the crowd of his deceased transgender son's writing about the harassment he had experienced at school.

"I wish I could say that the stories these parents told about the suffering of their transgender sons and daughters are rare, but this kind of thing is happening over and over, all across this state," said Gunner Scott, executive director of the MTPC. "Too many good people are suffering for no good reason. It's time to reject fear-mongering, put an end to this insulting bathroom talk, and pass this bill."

The press conference was organized by MassNOW, the MTPC, MassEquality, the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), and the Transgender Civil Rights Coalition.