Press Statement  Bump on Transgender Bill: “An important step toward ensuring the stain of discrimination against transgender people is a relic of the past”

Boston — Auditor Suzanne M. Bump today released the following statement on the House passage of the transgender public accommodations bill:

“Today, the Massachusetts House joined the Senate in taking an important step toward ensuring the stain of discrimination against transgender people is a relic of the past. This vote demonstrates that our state is a welcoming one that values all people. I commend Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Rosenberg, Sen. Chang Diaz, Reps. Fernandes, Dempsey, Rushing and Provost, and all who supported this measure. I look forward to seeing a final bill negotiated between the Senate and House that maintains strong protections, and the measure being signed into law.”

Bump has been a strong advocate for equality in Massachusetts. As a member of the House of Representatives in 1989, she supported legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Early in her term as Auditor, she championed stronger anti-bullying protections in Massachusetts schools. Last year, she submitted a letter in support of legislation similar to the bill passed today.