LGBT legislation at a glance

Here's a list of the LGBT-related legislation that was filed at the start of the legislative session last month. For complete coverage of the bills, see "Flurry of pro-LGBT bills on Beacon Hill".

Transgender rights bill

Would add gender identity and expression protections to the state's non-discrimination and hate crimes laws. This bill, filed for the second year by Reps. Carl Sciortino (D-Medford) and Byron Rushing (D-Boston), is the top priority of LGBT advocates, and it currently has more than 60 co-sponsors.

LGBT elder training bill

Filed for the first time this year, this bill would require the state to develop a mandatory curriculum on LGBT elder issues for elder service providers working under the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. This bill was filed by Rep. Barbara L'Italien (D-Andover), working with the LGBT Aging Project.

Anti-bullying bill

This bill, filed by Rep. John Rogers (D-Norwood) in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League and the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, would require schools to develop formal anti-bullying policies. It is the latest in a series of anti-bullying bills that have been introduced over the past few years.

Marriage equality bill

Refiled by Rep. Byron Rushing (D-Boston), this bill would formally change the language in the Massachusetts General Laws to redefine marriage as the legal union between two partners, codifying the Goodridge decision.

Sodomy repeal bill

Refiled by Rushing, this bill would formally remove sodomy laws from the Massachusetts General Laws. The laws are no longer enforced and have been ruled unconstitutional, but they remain on the books.

Pension reform bill

Filed by Sen. Steve Tolman (D-Boston) and Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst), the bill is narrowly tailored towards LGBT employees in higher education. It would give employees who selected their pension plan before the Goodridge decision went into effect to choose a different plan that provides greater benefits to married couples.

Passport name change bill

Filed by Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera (D-Springfield), the bill would help same-sex couples applying for passports who legally changed their names when they married. The federal government would not recognize the new names for passport purposes, but Coakley-Rivera's bill would allow those couples to go through an expedited name change procedure through state courts that would be recognized by the federal government.

Health education bill

Refiled by Rep. Alice Wolf (D-Cambridge), the bill would add health education to the state's formal education requirements. The state's official education frameworks for health education include discussion of LGBT issues and identity.