Coalition looks forward to working with the city to improve language around gender identity nondiscrimination protections
BOSTON Mass. ─ On Tuesday, the Worcester City Council voted unanimously in favor of an amendment to the city’s Revised Ordinances of 2008 enacting nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity or expression. The Massachusetts Transgender Equal Rights Coalition issued the following statement in response to the amendment:
“Our deepest thanks go to the Worcester City Council for unanimously passing these changes to the city’s ordinances. We look forward to working with the City of Worcester to implement these changes and ensure that these nondiscrimination protections fully reflect the open and affirming environment Worcester is creating for everyone who lives, works and visits the city.” [pullquote]“Our deepest thanks go to the Worcester City Council for unanimously passing these changes to the city’s ordinances. We look forward to working with the City of Worcester to implement these changes and ensure that these nondiscrimination protections fully reflect the open and affirming environment Worcester is creating for everyone who lives, works and visits the city.” [/pullquote]
The City Council voted to add language to the ordinance defining the term “gender identity” and establishing protections for transgender and gender nonconforming people. However, a clause in the ordinance gives city vendors the right to apply for a waiver if they do refuse or fail to have gender identity protections in place. MATERC is committed to working with the City Manager, City Solicitor, the Human Rights Commission and the City Council to refine the language in the ordinance, ensuring full inclusion and implementation of a comprehensive gender identity policy.
The Massachusetts Equal Rights Coalition (MATERC) succeeded on November 16, 2011, in securing passage of An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights thanks to lead sponsors Representatives Carl Sciortino and Byron Rushing, and Senators Ben Downing and Sonia Chang-Diaz. MATERC will continue to work towards passage of nondiscrimination protections in public accommodations.
[From a News Release]
