The Commonwealth has, historically, been a leader in the fight for civil and basic human rights for all. Written directly into the state constitution is fair, unbiased language that so often exhibits the broad-minded efforts and opportunity for social growth its signers sought.
In May 2004, proud citizens of the Commonwealth visited city and town halls, churches, synagogues, beaches and backyards, joining with one another in long-awaited legal wedded bliss. That day, our commonwealth and our community took a significant step forward. It was the first of many, but it was the one to lead the nation in our fight for equality. We have made significant progress in just a few short years since then. Several states have filed, considered and/or passed legislation allowing same-sex couples to join in civil unions or marriage ceremonies. We have made progress, but there is still much work to be done in the fight for LGBT acceptance and protection under the law.
Too many children grow up in a world where social stigma and ignorance lead to feelings of inferiority and ostracism. Fringe groups seek to push the LGBT community to the margins and resist the growing sense of normalcy in society. The legislature and the leaders within the Commonwealth have a responsibility to serve all constituents, and to protect the interests of all citizens. This work must be done both by the passage of legislation intended to increase rights and safety, and the blockage of that which separates us from one another.
Several bills currently filed could impact this outcome:
- transgender rights - initially sponsored by Representatives Sciortino and Rushing - would extend civil rights protection (including employer non-discrimination), hate crime protection and student rights to the transgender community through inclusion of the phrase "gender identity and expression" in the Commonwealth's existing non-discrimination statutes.
- anti-bullying bill - sponsored by Representative Rogers - in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League and the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, this bill seeks further protection of the young LGBT community from intimidation, harassment and bullying, within a zero-tolerance school environment.
- elder training bill - sponsored by Representative L'Italien - would require the state to develop a mandatory training curriculum for all elder service providers working within the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. This bill has been filed in conjunction with the LGBT Aging Project group.
- marriage rights - support should never falter, even in the perception of safety. Additional measures have been suggested by hate-mongering groups that would seek to roll back the progress we have made as a society. Additionally, legislation sponsored by Representative Rushing seeks to proactively change all existing marriage laws and terminology within the MA constitution, to reflect that no preference is given, or assumption made about two separate parties seeking to wed.
- health/social education - sponsored by Representative Wolf - would add health education to the formal education requirements within the Commonwealth. This bill seeks to use the 1999 Health Curriculum Framework document as a requirement for passing to higher grades, and for graduating. Also on the docket is a measure seeking to require notification of parents for any public school educator who plans to include any coursework that may include topics, themes or reference to sexuality. This must be defeated. By allowing parents the opportunity to define social curriculum within schools we are aiding in the division of ideas and restricting our teachers to choose only heteronormative themes that avoid cultural learning.