Massachusetts lawmakers will be taking up a bill this session that seeks to establish a permanent commission on the status of transgender people.
The legislation (S. 2725) An Act Establishing a Commission on the Status of Transgender People, would task the commission with conducting an ongoing study of all matters concerning transgender people.
The commission would also report its findings to the public, serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with issues affecting transgender people; assess programs and practices in all state agencies that may affect transgender people, and identify and recommend qualified transgender people for appointive positions at all levels of government, including boards and commissions.
An original draft was filed in February by state Senators Joanne Comerford (D-Northampton), Patricia Jehlen (D-2nd Middlesex), Jamie Eldrige (D-Marlboro) and state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton). The group has since completed a second draft, which was reported favorably by the committee on Rules of the two branches and referred to the Committee on the Rules of the Two Branches, on Monday.
In a February 25th Facebook post announcing the filing of the original draft, Sen. Jehlen pointed to what she calls an “attack” by the Trump Administration on the “rights of minority communities across the country” as a motivator for her support.
“We have seen the federal administration attack the rights of minority communities across the country. One of the many affected groups whose rights are being stripped and jeopardized is the LGBTQIA+ community. Thanks to the hard work of incredible advocates over the last several years we have been able to codify and strengthen protections for many but not all,” Sen. Jehlen wrote.
“Part of ensuring everyone in our community is protected is making sure we know what changes could improve the lives of our neighbors who are vulnerable. Establishing a permanent commission on the status of transgender people that will focus on improving their lives can bring us one step closer towards equitable protections for all,” she said.
The commission would be made up of 21 unpaid members who each would serve three-year terms. Six members would be appointed by transgender-led organizations of groups that directly serve, support or advocate for transgender people in Massachusetts. Two members would be appointed by transgender-focused health programs at Massachusetts-based health centers, with another two members each appointed by an organization that supports LGBTQ+ students and by a group that supports homeless LGBTQ+ individuals with housing. The remaining nine members would be appointed by groups that LGBTQ+ people facing domestic violence, are incarcerated, and who are sex workers; as well as LGBTQ+ veterans and with disabilities.
The legislation calls for the commission to be made up of at least 11 transgender persons in total, two of which are between the ages of 18 and 24, with two more members aged 60 or older and another two being representatives of mental health professionals.
The development in this legislation comes a week after news broke of Gov. Maura Healey’s appointment of trans woman Giselle Byrd to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women in August. Healey has defended her appointment of Byrd, who says she’s been receiving death threats since she joined the commission.
Gov. Healey received widespread criticism for the decision, with many opposed to the move stating how they feel it would have been more appropriate and deserving for a biological female to have been appointed.
The Herald has reached out to state Rep. Sabadosa and state Senators Comeford, Eldridge and Jehlen for comment.
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