Boston City Council supports passage of trans rights bill

Boston's transgender community got a big boost from the City Council Jan. 28, after it unanimously approved a resolution offered by Council President Michael Ross to support "An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes," a bill currently before the state legislature that would add transgender-inclusive language to the state's non-discrimination and hate crimes laws.

The resolution was "an opportunity to work with [Somerville state Representative] Carl Sciortino on legislation that he was sponsoring that would bring equality to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts like thirteen other states in America, and cities like Boston," Ross said.

"I'm proud that Boston and the Boston City Council can be a go-to support place for issues that matter, around equality and justice, and that Boston can be a logical stop where people can go to build support and strengthen their base. I'm proud of Boston's role as being that place," he added.

"When you take time to understand the plight of people who've been discriminated against, you understand it's very important and very necessary," he said.

While the resolution does not carry any legal weight, it does throw the support of the entire council behind the bill currently sitting at the State House. Councilor John Connolly said, "This is the council's way of showing our strong support for passing the state legislation and to make sure we protect people's gender expression and don't allow discrimination on that basis."

The vote "is a symbolic measure we hope leads to real action," he said.

The resolution follows a Boston City Council ordinance passed in 2002 that bans discrimination based on gender identity or expression. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has interpreted state non-discrimination law to protect gender identity and expression, but the new legislation would codify those protections.

"The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination already has strong rulings noting that gender is protected," Connolly said, "but this law will ensure that nobody takes a contrary position or exploits a loophole."

"I give Ross credit on it," he added.

The news thrilled advocates for transgender rights.

"It's amazing, stupendous, and right in line with the city of Boston," said Gunner Scott, director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. "I'm very pleased. We've worked with many members of city council, and their commitments to respect diversity ... is apparent through this resolution and their past work.

"I feel very confident the time is right for transgender [people] to have the same rights as everyone else in the state," Scott said.