Governor Deval Patrick signed a groundbreaking Executive Order yesterday in Boston that will protect employees of the state of Massachusetts from discrimination based on gender identity and/or expression. The order applies to all state agencies within and contracted with the Executive Branch, and constitutes a historic step forward in the fight for LGBT equality.
With unemployment rates nearly double that of the general population, according to a recent national survey conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality, the transgender community has felt the brunt of a recession compounded by discrimination.
“These statistics show the stark need for a statewide bill to prohibit employment discrimination based on gender identity,” said state Rep. Carl Sciortino.
Together with Representative Byron Rushing and state Senators Ben Downing and Sonia Chang-Diaz, Sciortino has been a leading sponsor of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. Now, thanks to Governor Patrick’s implementation of the non-discrimination order, members of the LGBT community and the Transgender Equal Rights Coalition see a chance for positive change.
“Governor Patrick is a true champion for the LGBT community, and we applaud the critical first step he has taken with this order toward creating a Commonwealth where all hardworking people, including transgender people, have the opportunity to make a living and provide for themselves and their families,” said MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini.
Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, concurs: “This is going to make a real difference in the lives of transgender state workers and their families” Scott said. “No one should have to work in fear that they could lose their job simply because of who they are.”
Massachusetts is the 21st state to offer employment non-discrimination protection for transgender state workers.
