Massachusetts Poised to Expand Protections for Transgender People; Jess Bidgood, 6/1/16

Jess Bidgood, New York Times; Massachusetts Poised to Expand Protections for Transgender People:

"Amid a roiling national debate over transgender rights, lawmakers in the Democratic-led House in Massachusetts on Wednesday passed a bill that would expand protections against discrimination for transgender people and allow them to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.

The State Senate, also controlled by Democrats, passed a similar measure here last month. With support for the House’s bill from Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, Massachusetts appears ready to cut against the current of states that have opposed some protections in public accommodations for transgender people.

“No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity,” Mr. Baker said on Tuesday in announcing his support of the bill after months of avoiding a direct endorsement of such a measure."