Letter to the Editor: MA Legislature should act to protect transgender rights | Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass. Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET

Here is a letter to the editor recently published in the Quincy, MA Patriot Ledger.

Legislature should act to protect transgender rights | Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass. Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET: "On the bright side, the Massachusetts Legislature can do something to help protect its transgender residents from job discrimination in this state (we already have a law outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation) right now, by passing the Transgender Equal Rights Bill.

This bill would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender people in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations."

What Does Discrimination Cost? | The Bilerico Project

What Does Discrimination Cost? | The Bilerico Project: "A new research study released today by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy shows that employment discrimination against transgender residents of Massachusetts likely costs the Commonwealth millions of dollars each year.

The findings are obvious, of course -- any factor that puts people out of work results in lower tax revenue and increased public assistance. Nonetheless, the importance of this study is its quantification of these costs based on research. While one might quibble with some of the numbers, the general conclusion that Massachusetts has lost money as a result of discrimination is undeniable."

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The Rainbow Times | The Freshest LGBT News in New England

The Rainbow Times | The Freshest LGBT News in New England: "Governor Deval Patrick issued an executive order that prohibits discrimination based on “gender identity or expression,” a move that provides transgender workers in state government with employment protections."

This is particularly good, in light of the apparent inability of the state legislature to pass a bill with such protections because of right-wing opposition that has employed gross distortions about transgender people. It's not a substitute, but it's a start. It will demonstrate that employment protections do not impair the safety of others, a ludicrous notion.

HRC to Train Trans Job Seekers in Boston

Bay Windows - New England's largest GLBT newspaper: "The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced Jan. 18 that the LGBT rights organization will sponsor a training program for transgender job-seekers in Boston next month.

The free inaugural event of HRC’s Back to Work project will take place on Feb. 26 and 27. Attendees will be provided with essential skills needed to make the most of the job market, and find a career that matches their expertise and experience. The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth (BAGLY), the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts (AAC), and MassEquality are cosponsors of the event, which will be hosted by the AAC."

Although some in the trans community have been critical of HRC, not without some justice, the organization has take some important steps that have helped transgender employment rights, particularly the Corporate Equality Index. It is nice to see that the organization is continuing to take action to assist the T portion of the LGBT community.