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A4 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 20 OctOber 2018
Transgender rights lie in the hands of a state’s electorate

Though referred to deri-
sively by opponents as “the
bathroom bill,” supporters
note the law more widely
prohibits discrimination
against transgender peo-
ple in public accommoda-
tions, including restaurants,
parks and entertainment
venues. A prior state law
outlawed bias in employ-
ment and housing.
Jeanne Talbot, Nicole’s
mother, calls herself an
“accidental activist.”
“When people meet a
transgender person, all
of their fears sort of wash
away,” Jeanne Talbot said.
“They suddenly realize that
there is a person. It’s not just
the term transgender or an
identifier, there’s a human
being.”
Since transitioning, Nicole
said, she has been mostly
welcomed at her private
school in Beverly, which
In this Monday, Oct. 8, 2018 photo Jeanne Talbot, left, and her transgender daughter Nicole Talbot, 17, both of Beverly, Mass., sit for caters to students with dys-
a photograph at a park, in Beverly. lexia. In February, she was
Associated Press selected after a competi-
By BOB SALSBERG first-ever statewide refer- lada, of Keep Massachu- state attorney general’s of- tion to sing the national an-
Associated Press endum in the U.S. on a setts Safe. “This law goes fice and the Massachusetts them before a Boston Bru-
BOSTON (AP) — Nicole Tal- transgender rights law, op- too far.” Commission Against Dis- ins game.
bot isn’t quite old enough ponents collected enough Repeal backers argue crimination, which turned The group Freedom for
to vote next month, but she signatures to place a re- their intention is not to up only a handful of com- All Massachusetts, which
isn’t shy about urging Mas- peal question on the Nov. strip protections for trans- plaints directly related to wants to keep the law, re-
sachusetts residents who 6 ballot. Transgender rights gender people or legalize the 2-year-old law, and ported raising just under
are to keep a state law supporters worry — and op- discrimination. Instead, in none alleging predation in $3.9 million through Oct.
that protects transgender ponents of the laws hope what trans rights support- bathrooms or locker rooms. 1, compared with the
people from discrimination, — that if the repeal passes ers describe as a familiar But neither do records sug- $542,000 raised by Keep
including the right to use in Massachusetts, the first but unjustified fear tactic, gest widespread discrimi- Massachusetts Safe, with
restrooms and locker rooms state to legalize gay mar- they say they want to pro- nation against transgen- much of the latter coming
that match their gender riage and among the most tect women from being der people over access to from two affiliated conser-
identity. LGBT-friendly, it could un- harassed or assaulted by bathrooms or locker rooms. vative organizations and
It makes her feel safe, Tal- leash a cascade of similar criminals falsely claiming to Of the fewer than 10 com- some board members.
bot said, which wasn’t al- efforts elsewhere. identify as female. plaints filed with the state The transgender law has
ways the case for the teen- “For this to happen in Mas- One ad backing repeal anti-discrimination agency, broad support from Demo-
ager, an accomplished sachusetts, where we have depicts a sketchy-looking probable cause was found cratic elected officials in
singer with dreams of a this reputation of being an man entering a women’s in only one case, involving Massachusetts, and from
Broadway career. For as inclusive state dedicated locker room as a fright- a transgender man who Republican Gov. Charlie
long as she can remem- for equality and dignity ened-looking young wom- claimed he was barred Baker, who signed the bill
ber, she felt she was a girl for all people, to see what an begins to undress. from the men’s section of in 2016.
— like the time she insisted happens on this (question) “That is what the law allows a facility that provides free “Support for the LGBTQ
upon being a princess at a is really going to be an im- for, and if it’s scary, then clothing for the poor. community is about more
preschool Halloween party portant moment for trans- that is because we are talk- Repeal backers also say than just politics — it’s per-
— even when the world be- gender rights nationally,” ing about something that is some businesses may be sonal,” Baker wrote in a
yond her mother subjected said Mason Dunn, execu- scary,” Ollada said. reluctant to report abuse of recent op-ed published
her to taunts and discrimi- tive director of the Massa- Had the Legislature adopt- the law because they fear by The Rainbow Times. The
nation. chusetts Trans Political Co- ed a proposal to exclude doing so would leave them governor’s brother is gay
Now, 17, Talbot, who be- alition. registered sex offenders vulnerable to charges of and married.
gan her transition in the A spokeswoman for the from the law’s protections, discrimination and possible But not everyone sharing
seventh grade, is lending group leading the repeal there likely would not have fines. In one case to which the GOP ticket with Baker
her name and story to the effort declined to specu- been a referendum, she the law’s critics point, a next month shares his view.
campaign against a ballot late on the potential im- said. transitioning woman with “It’s not the transgenders
question that would repeal pact of the referendum on The law, though, already male genitalia filed a com- that we’re concerned
the 2016 law. 19 other states with similar allows for the prosecution plaint against a day spa about, it’s the men who are
“It allows me to live as who transgender-rights laws. of any person “whose as- with a female clientele that using it and are claiming to
I am and have every right “Nationally, we’re not try- sertion of a gender identity declined her request for a be transgender,” said Jay
that every other person in ing to change anything; we is for an improper purpose.” so-called “full Brazilian” bi- McMahon, the Republican
the state has,” said Talbot. are trying to change Mas- The Associated Press re- kini wax. The complaint is nominee for attorney gen-
Setting the stage for the sachusetts,” said Yvette Ol- quested records from the unresolved. eral, in a recent debate.q