Success, celebration, and a step forward

The hard work and dedication of transgender rights advocates, allies, and volunteers came to a head this year with a handful of momentous wins.

The victories

It began in February, when Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed an executive order extending protections against discrimination to the state's transgender employees. In addition to all state agencies and programs, the executive order also applied to any businesses that contract with the state.

"Governor Patrick is committed to protecting the equality and civil rights of all of the Commonwealth's residents," Alex Goldstein, the governor's press secretary, said in February. "This Executive Order ensures that all employees in the executive branch will continue to be able to perform their duties free of discrimination."

LGBT activists across the state -- and country -- praised the signing of the executive order, and applauded the Deval Patrick's continued support of the state's transgender community.

"The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition applauds Gov. Patrick's decision to sign this Executive Order protecting the jobs of transgender state employees," said Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC). "This is not the first time Gov. Patrick has demonstrated his commitment to the community -- he also streamlined [the] process by which transgender men and women can get proper state IDs. We know that there are transgender individuals who are state employees and we celebrate the job security the Executive Order affords them."

"Governor Patrick is a true champion for the LGBT community," said MassEquality executive director Kara Suffredini in a statement released by The Transgender Equal Rights Coalition -- a group of member organizations working toward transgender equality. "We applaud the critical first step he has taken with this order toward creating a Commonwealth where all hardworking people, including transgender people, have the opportunity to make a living and provide for themselves and their families."

The next win was even more exciting. Gov. Patrick signed into law the Transgender Equal Rights Bill on Nov. 23. The proposed legislation had been passed by the House on Nov. 15 and the Senate on Nov. 16. The new law will take effect July 1, 2012.

"Governor Patrick was a staunch advocate of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill from the earliest days of his administration," said Scott. "We are so grateful for his leadership in getting this bill passed and for his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all residents of the Commonwealth, including transgender people, are treated with dignity and respect under the laws of our state."

The bill will become law after waiting six years in the Legislature, legally protecting transgender individuals from discrimination in housing, employment, and credit, as well as additional civil rights and protections from hate crimes.

The players

It may be impossible to thank the countless allies who phoned their legislators in support of the Trans Equal Rights Bill, the friends, families, and neighbors who attended rallies and demonstrations to show their support, and all of the advocates who have worked for the past six years to push this bill through. The Trans Equal Rights Bill might not have made it to the governor's desk without their hard work and dedication. But as far as politicians go, it's easy to celebrate those who made a lasting difference and took a stand against discrimination, selected here with the help of MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini.

Gov. Deval Patrick

It was no surprise to see Patrick's support of the Trans Equal Rights Bill, nor his speedy signature. The governor has been a longtime supporter of LGBT rights in Massachusetts, and went so far as to submit written testimony in support of the bill to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. "Once again, Governor Patrick has shown that he is a true champion for the LGBT community," Suffredini said after the governor signed the Trans Equal Rights Bill. "We applaud his unwavering leadership in creating a Commonwealth where all hardworking people, including transgender people, will have the opportunity to make a living, put a roof over their heads, and get an education without fear of being discriminated against simply because of who they are. The Governor has long understood that this is a matter of basic fairness."

House Speaker Robert DeLeo

Speaking before a MassEquality event more than two years ago, DeLeo stated his intentions to pass the Trans Equal Rights Bill. "When the House voted on the bill last Tuesday, it was a culmination of the Speaker's particular leadership on the legislation over the past six months, during which he met multiple times with constituents, advocates, and House members to listen and learn more about the bill," Suffredini wrote in a guest piece for Bay Windows. "When opponents of the bill filed more than 40 amendments with the explicit purpose of killing it, DeLeo's leadership team not only squelched their efforts, but also they prevented the passage of any amendments that would have weakened the bill's needed protections."

Judiciary Chairman Eugene O'Flaherty & Judiciary Chairwoman Cynthia Stone Creem

"Chairman O'Flaherty met with constituents and advocates in early March during a community meeting in Chelsea, shortly after a transgender woman had been violently beaten in his House District," Suffredini wrote. "He respectfully listened to advocates and encouraged us to schedule a follow up meeting with his chief of staff. In the ensuing months, he and Chairwoman Creem saw through the fierce and angry rhetoric from opponents of the bill, who whipped up controversy with false and misleading advertisements that aired on AM talk radio stations, steering the bill out of committee and through to passage in both chambers."

Reps. Carl Sciortino & Byron Rushing; Sens. Ben Downing & Sonia Chang-Diaz

Sciortino and Rushing were lead sponsors on the House version of the Trans Equal Rights Bill. Downing and Chang-Diaz were lead sponsors on the Senate version of the bill.

"Reps. Carl Sciortino and Byron Rushing and Sens. Ben Downing and Sonia Chang-D�az worked doggedly for years to lift up the stories of transgender people and bring more of their colleagues along in making the case for the urgent need for transgender equality in Massachusetts," said Suffredini They spoke out for equality early, publicly, passionately, and consistently. They educated themselves and their colleagues. They convened teams of lawmakers in their respective chambers who became vocal champions for transgender people inside the State House and out. But most importantly, they cared. They cared about their constituents and everyone in the Commonwealth to encourage the legislature to send a clear message that all people are equal and all people matter in the state of Massachusetts."

Not to be forgotten are Senate President Therese Murray; the lawmakers who voted for the bill; and the work of the Transgender Equal Rights Coaltion, which includes MassNOW; ACLU of Massachusetts; Jane Doe, Inc.; The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence; National Association of Social Workers, MA; Mass AFL-CIO; Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD); Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus; Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; and MassEquality. Good work, all.