Massachusetts Will Soon Be The Newest State Protecting Transgender People From Discrimination

The Massachusetts House passed a bill Wednesday that would expand discrimination protection for transgender individuals and allow them to use the bathroom and locker room that matches their gender identity. After years of consideration, it now has a clear path to becoming law.

The measure passed comfortably through the Democratic-controlled House by a vote of 116 to 36 after a seven hour debate during which 22 proposed amendments to the bill were rejected. The bill follows action taken last month by the Democratic-led Senate and paves the way for the measure to make its way to the Governor’s office soon.

The House and Senate bills do contain a difference, however, as the House version includes a provision directing the attorney general to provide guidelines to law enforcement “for any person who asserts gender identity for an improper purpose.” The difference between the House and Senate version of the bill will have to be addressed before the measure can go to the governor’s office....
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/06/02/3784228/massachusetts-transgender-bill/