Massachusetts Officials Vow to Fight for Trans Community

With Pride flags as a backdrop, Massachusetts State Senate President Karen Spilka recently declared to the transgender and nonbinary communities, "We see you, we celebrate you, and we stand with you, and we will fight for you always."

Spilka delivered her pledge as she and other government officials and activists participated in International Trans Day of Visibility events at the Massachusetts State House on Monday, March 31.

"No matter what happens in Washington, you will always have a home in Massachusetts," Spilka declared.

The Boston City Council declared on its website, "Transgender Day of Visibility is about more than just recognition. It's about honoring the courage of those who have often had to fight for their right to live authentically."

The Trump Administration has issued executive orders, including recognizing only two genders and banning trans individuals from serving in the military. Several of Trump's executive orders are facing court challenges.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll told the State House gathering, "These are the worst threats we've seen ever – I was going to say in a long time, but I think it might actually be ever."

"Here, we stand up to bigotry. We have no tolerance for it. We respect the ability of people to live their authentic lives," Driscoll said.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is on record supporting transgender people participating in girl's and women's sports.

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An estimated 50,000 (0.9 percent) Massachusetts residents identify as transgender, a rate higher than the national rate of 0.5 percent.

Massachusetts enacted a law in 2011 to protect transgender people from employment and housing discrimination. In 2016, lawmakers passed legislation allowing trans people to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.