Massachusetts residents yesterday voted to uphold a law passed in 2016 that prohibited discrimination against gender identity in public spaces. This is the first state-wide vote to protect transgender individuals and the measure was upheld with over 67 percent of the vote.
In 2016, an emergency law passed that immediately went into effect to outlaw discrimination against gender identity in public spaces such as hotels, restaurants, and stores. For spaces that are segregated by gender, like restrooms, the venue must allow people to use the facility that aligns with their gender identity.
The law went into effect in 2016 but opponents of the law started a petition to include the measure on the ballot. The opponents attempt to overturn the 2016 law failed.
Massachusetts previously passed a law in 2011 that prohibits discrimination on gender identity in cases of housing, employment, credit, and post-secondary education.
Media Resources: Boston Magazine 11/6/18; Ballotpedia 11/7/18
