Attorney General Maura Healey has corralled celebrity endorsements in her latest push to pass a bill expanding protections for the Massachusetts transgender community.
A video posted Tuesday to launch a new online campaign features Caitlyn Jenner — the reality show megastar and perhaps the world’s most prominent trans rights spokeswoman — actress and LGBT equality activist Kathy Griffin, Bruin Patrice Bergeron and Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca. It also features testimony from Massachusetts families with transgender children and Harvard’s Henry Louis Gates. “Everyone should be welcome in the state of Massachusetts,” Jenner says in her portion of the video.
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“Be on the right side of history and do the right thing,” Griffin says in hers — which she said she filmed in a Massachusetts bathroom.
The public accommodations bill is pending right now on Beacon Hill. The legislation would outlaw discrimination in places like parks, restaurants and hospitals. It would also grant transgender men and women access to the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choosing — a provision that has rankled opponents of the bill who cite privacy concerns. “For me, this is a fundamental civil rights issue and makes clear we respect the dignity of each and every human being in our state,” Healey said in a written statement. Healey testified in October in favor of the bill at a State House hearing, joined by Police Commissioner William Evans and Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley. Healey’s new star-studded campaign will also include celebrity appearances from the TV series “Transparent” — the lead character for which is a transgender woman — as well as videos from Mayor Marty Walsh, who is also a supporter, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Massachusetts residents have been invited to submit videos of their own by posting them on social media with the hashtag #EveryoneWelcome. RELATED: Baker on transgender discrimination: Courts can handle it The state’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary has until May 2 to act on the legislation, filed in January 2015. The last formal session of the Legislature is July 31.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg both support the bill, but DeLeo has said he isn’t sure there are enough votes to override a veto from Gov. Charlie Baker.
Baker has said he wants to wait to read the legislation’s language before deciding whether to sign it.
Additional reporting from the State House News Service.
It’s time to pass the #transbillMA. Let’s support @MassAGO & this important #civilrights bill. #EveryoneWelcome https://t.co/j8CgCkh22g
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) March 17, 2016
Right now, there is a bill in the legislature that would protect trans people from discrimination in public places. It's...
Posted by Massachusetts Attorney General's Office on Thursday, March 17, 2016
Equality for all!!! Miss you @IAmCaitFP https://t.co/2msHRHC0wR
— Abby Wambach (@AbbyWambach) March 17, 2016
Overwhelmed by this. Not long ago I couldn't imagine a pro athlete speaking out for trans rights! #EveryoneWelcome https://t.co/6rT7gKEEqK
— David Levy (@itsdlevy) March 17, 2016
