MASSACHUSETTS: Boston Mayor Flies Trans Pride Flag After State Legislature Advances Trans Rights Bill

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh today flew the trans pride flag over city hall after a transgender rights bill advanced in the state legislature. MassLive reports:

Massachusetts lawmakers are advancing legislation they say will provide anti-discrimination protections to transgender people in public places.

The state Legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Friday afternoon approved two bills allowing transgender people to use the public restroom consistent with their gender identity, which has been at the center of a heated debate over the legislation.

Supporters say the protections are a civil rights issue and necessary to fill a gap in state anti-discrimination laws, while opponents, who have dubbed it the “bathroom bill,” say it will allow men to use women’s bathrooms and violate their privacy.

The legislation – a House version and a Senate version — still need votes in the full House and Senate to advance further.

“The Senate has been prepared to debate this since November, and we will go forward as planned on May 12th with our debate,” Senate President Stan Rosenberg said in a statement before the vote.