Posted on 11/23/2011 12:32:17 PM PST by matt04
Gov. Deval Patrick signed legislation Wednesday adding the words “gender identity” to the state’s non-discrimination laws, a bid to prevent discrimination against transgender residents seeking housing, employment, credit or post-secondary education.
The bill also expands the state's hate crimes statutes to include violence perpetrated against transgender men and women. Patrick said he signed the bill as a matter of “conscience” even though lawmakers had stripped a provision that would have required all “sex-segregated facilities” to grant admission to people based on their gender identity, rather than their biological gender.
The provision, viewed as a key component by advocates of the legislation, was removed to build consensus among lawmakers. “It gave me pause, and it gave the advocates pause, and it gave transgender people pause,” Patrick said in an interview inside his State House office. “There’s a lot of good in this bill, and after consulting with them and my team and my own conscience, I wanted to sign this bill. And then, we’ll come back around to public accommodations.”
Patrick said he didn’t want to risk sending the bill back to lawmakers with an amendment, particularly as they embark on a seven-week recess. “I’ve had the experience before of sending something back when they go out and then it never comes back complete,” he said. “Witness gaming a year ago.”
The governor signed the bill quietly Wednesday morning, without any of the fanfare that accompanied bill signings for expanded gambling, anti-human-trafficking and collective bargaining legislation earlier in the week. He said he anticipates a ceremony for the bill to occur after the holidays. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at masslive.com ...
Noe Bawney can meet his constituents in full regalia...as Queen Elizabeth.
I am unclear on this kind of stuff...is it ok to beat up old people, Christians, or Rich people?
Who’s surprised that the ODrama-wannabe does it on the day before Thanksgiving, aka throw out the trash day?
What about a transgendered billionaire?
Families who do not want their kids subjected to this perversion in public facilities should do their holiday shopping in New Hampshire or Rhode Island.
“I am unclear on this kind of stuff...is it ok to beat up old people, Christians, or Rich people?”
White,male,straight Christian or Jewish men and that’s it.
Well all I can say is Reptilicus and Lion-O there need to lawyer up.
Dear Lord I can’t take much more of the insanity!!
Its more of the same in Mass. It is simply this...its an Anti-Christian Bigotry bill. Its a foundation for further laws that in the end WILL be used to jail christians for their “hate” against anyone because their faith says its wrong.
Flame away folks, but the truth is this...they are purposefully building this empire of bad law for these reasons. Good is bad, bad is good and there WILL be intolerance towards the christians and it WILL be state sponsored.
This is another way to bring sharia law to America.
Women won’t be able to travel without a male because they can’t safely use any public restroom. The restrooms will be full of crazed men wearing dresses.
Where do you get that idea? Transgendered folks would be killed under Sharia.
Why can’t you understand a simple statement?
I’m talking about the process of how to get American women to stay out of public places. Once that is accomplished, sharia law is easy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.