Boston Herald, MA, USA


Women, children’s groups decry opponents of transgender bill

By State House News Service | Monday, July 13, 2009 |
http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Politics


Advocates for women and children intend to argue Monday that opponents
of a bill to include transgender people in the state’s
non-discrimination statute are spreading “dangerous myths about
violence against women” by warning that the proposal would make
bathrooms unsafe.

“Opposing this bill does nothing to protect people from sexual
assault,” said Toni Troop, spokeswoman for Jane Doe Inc., the
Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence,
in a statement.

The proposal (H 1728 / S 1687) would add “gender identity or
expression” to the state’s non-discrimination law.

Opponents of the proposal say the bill would allow male predators
claiming to be transgender to use women’s restrooms, labeling the bill
“the bathroom bill.”

Backers of the bill plan an 11:30 a.m. press conference at the foot of
the Grand Staircase.


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