Press Release  AG Campbell, Western New England University School of Law, Host Community Conversation On Initiatives To Protect LGBTQ+ Rights

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, in partnership with Western New England University School of Law (WNE University School of Law)’s Center for Social Justice, yesterday hosted a panel discussion with legal experts and advocates to discuss ongoing initiatives to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and communities as they face ongoing threats from the Trump Administration. The conversation was held at WNE University’s Blake Law Center and was attended by community members, partners, and civil rights advocates from across Massachusetts.

“Sadly, despite Massachusetts’ strong legal protections, LGBTQ+ individuals still experience hate, discrimination, and other harms across our state,” said AG Campbell. “In the face of the Trump Administration’s increasing attacks on transgender rights, my office will continue to serve as a champion for the LGBTQ+ community – enforcing our laws, educating residents on their rights, and supporting legislation to protect them from harm, including legislation to strengthen access to gender affirming care and more.”

The panel discussion, “Equality for All: A Community Conversation About Initiatives to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights,” was joined by Jennifer Levi, Professor at WNE University School of Law and Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights at GLAD Law; and Tanya Neslusan, Executive Director of MassEquality. 

The panelists discussed various topics related to civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality, including resources to protect these rights, report hate crimes, and safeguard transgender students from hate and discrimination.  

Importantly, AG Campbell emphasized that, despite ongoing nationwide attacks against transgender rights, state and federal laws continue to exist to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including laws safeguarding LGBTQ+ individuals from hate and discrimination in education, employment, housing, and public spaces.

“The roundtable discussion among Attorney General Campbell, MassEquality, GLAD Law, and Western New England Law School represents a powerful commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights during these challenging political times. I know the community is deeply grateful to Attorney General Campbell for her steadfast enforcement of Massachusetts’ vital protections that ensure LGBTQ+ individuals can live safely and thrive in the Commonwealth,” said Jennifer Levi, Professor at WNE University School of Law and Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights at GLAD Law. “With appreciation as well to MassEquality and GLAD Law for tireless advocacy work that gives voice to so many stakeholders across Massachusetts and beyond. I am proud to be a part of Western New England University School of Law which remains dedicated to educating future legal professionals to uphold the rule of law—the foundation upon which justice for all communities, including LGBTQ+ people and families, ultimately depends. This conversation reinforces that when well-intentioned government officials, advocacy organizations, and educational institutions stand together, we create the possibility of an equitable future for everyone across the Commonwealth.”

“We are fortunate to live in a state where not only our state laws already shield us from a lot of the brutal attacks, at the federal level, on our community, but we have allies in the fight to keep expanding these protections in our state and fighting and winning against the federal attacks through our judicial system,” said Tanya Neslusan, Executive Director of MassEquality. 

AG Campbell encourages individuals to view the below resources by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) regarding LGBTQ+ and civil rights, including guidance on public accommodation and anti-discrimination law, guidance on LGBTQ+ mental health and gender affirming care, and resources on hate crimes. 

• Protections Against Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation Guide
• LGBTQ+ Mental Health and Gender Affirming Care Resource Guide
• Know Your Rights Gender Affirming Care
• Resources on Hate Incidents and Hate Crimes 
• Information for Massachusetts Healthcare Providers Regarding Gender-Affirming Care

Since the start of the current Trump Administration, AG Campbell has taken various actions to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals against harmful actions by the Administration, including urging the Administration to oppose changes to passport application rules that would harm transgender individuals and supporting lawsuits to protect gender affirming care and block an executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military. 

Last week, AG Campbell also filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court to defend public schools’ discretion to use LGBTQ-inclusive books in curricula to foster safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students and protect them from harm. 

Additionally, last week, AG Campbell co-sponsored An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth (SD.2808), which would fortify protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care providers, patients, and advocates across Massachusetts. AG Campbell looks forward to continuing to partner with Senator Cindy Friedman and Chair John Lawn to advance this legislation, which was developed in coalition with the Department of Public Health, GLAD Law, Reproductive Equity Now, the ACLU of Massachusetts, and Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts.

Those who experience or witness hate or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or another protected characteristic may file a complaint with the AGO’s Civil Rights Division. 

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