Two years ago, a bill was passed to protect transgender and non-binary people from discrimination in public accommodation areas throughout Massachusetts. It was a historic bill that upheld the principles of Massachusetts. In two months, we now have to vote to either repeal or keep it. It seems like such an unnecessary and offensive decision to make, especially since Massachusetts has been the paving ground for civil rights. If we don’t go out and vote yes in November, not only are we setting back Massachusetts, but the rest of our country.
Massachusetts has prided itself on paving the way for civil rights, particularly by being the first state to allow gay marriage. By repealing the public accommodation law, we would be taking this ideal away, especially since there is absolutely no valid reason to take it away. Taking away the public accommodation law in Massachusetts would only harm and have negative repercussions for years to come.
A common counter argument for the repeal of this law comes from the idea that criminals will have access to women’s bathrooms and will be able to more easily attack. This idea is completely wrong. Just like any other criminal, if an offense is to happen, the attacker will be arrested. The law is not giving a free pass to criminals to enter bathrooms. The law is not protecting criminals; it is protecting transgender and non-binary people.
By looking at statistics, it can be seen that the idea of criminals having access to bathrooms is also completely wrong. According to an op-ed piece by Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo, published in the Boston Globe in July, “there has been no increase in public safety incidents since this law went into effect.” The ‘no’ side of the argument is using a fear-mongering tactic with no information to back up their argument. Statistics are able to prove that the repeal would do nothing in terms of criminal activity, yet the ‘no’ side refuses to accept that keeping the bill in place would actually result in a safer community.
The biggest flaw in the ‘no’ side’s argument is the fact they fail to address the entire bill. In short, the bill states the prohibition of discrimination in public accommodation areas. Public accommodation is defined as any place that, “solicits the patronage of the general public, such as hotels, stores, restaurants, theaters, sports facilities, and hospitals.” The ‘no’ side only focuses on bathrooms, which is only one small part of the bill. The bill allows transgender people to not only be safe in bathrooms, but in places like stores and hospitals. From this, they can no longer be turned away due to the opinions of the workers. The law would not do any harm and only result in a safer community.
Transgender and non-binary people, since the law went into effect in 2016, have been able to enjoy a more accepting and less stressful life. Without the public accommodation law, nearly 68 percent of transgender and non-binary people have faced some type of verbal harassment and nearly 18 percent were denied access to public accommodation areas, according to a 2013 study on transgender people and minority stress published in the Journal of Public Management and Social Policy. These problems have led to transgender people avoiding places like school, work, public life, and their doctors. The effects of these problems have led to many issues, especially when it comes to mental health. Physically and mentally, the public accommodation bill has allowed transgender and non-binary people to live a more stress-free life.
Just like anyone else, transgender people are human beings. From that, they deserve the same rights anyone else does, which includes not having to deal with discrimination. Statistics prove that the public accommodation law does not result in higher criminal offenses and actually makes the community a safer and more accepting place for all. The benefits that result for transgender and non-binary people allow for protection against discrimination, leading to better mental and physical health. In order for transgender and non-binary people to enjoy a safe and prosperous Massachusetts like the rest of us do, we all must go out and vote yes on Nov. 6.
Amy O’Brien is a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and currently taking a course in LGBT Policies and Economics taught by Prof. M. V. Lee Badgett.