BOSTON, JANUARY 18, 2012—Governor Deval Patrick will mark the historic passage of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill with a signing ceremony at the Statehouse tomorrow, Thursday, January 19 at 11 a.m. in the Senate Reading Room.

“No individual should face discrimination because of who they are,” said Governor Patrick. “This legislation gives Massachusetts the necessary tools to stop hate crimes against transgender people and to treat others fairly. I am proud to sign it.”

 BOSTON, JANUARY 5, 2012—Governor Deval Patrick will mark the historic passage of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill with a signing ceremony at the Statehouse on Thursday, January 19 at 11 a.m.

BOSTON, November 28, 2011— Statement by MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini on Congressman Barney Frank’s Announcement of Retirement:

BOSTON, NOVEMBER 23, 2011 —Statement by MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini, Esq. on the signing of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill:

“We applaud Governor Patrick for signing the Transgender Equal Rights Bill, his latest action in a long-standing effort to create a Commonwealth where all hardworking people, including transgender people, 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.

 BOSTON, October 6, 2011—The LGBT community is disproportionately represented among those who are victims of the nation’s ongoing economic crisis. We are the un- and underemployed. We are the un- and underinsured. We are the homeless and under-housed. And we are disproportionately impacted by government-sanctioned discrimination and denial of resources and protections.

If any group understands the plight of the 99% given voice by Occupy Boston, it’s the Commonwealth’s LGBT 6.5%:

 On July 7, the Northampton City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill that called for the legislature to act quickly to pass this important legislation. The Transgender Equal Rights Coalition applauds the Council’s action and encourages the legislature to follow the council’s leadership and pass the bill this year.

BOSTON, May 25, 2011—Nevada Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval signed into law yesterday a measure banning employment discrimination based on gender identity and expression. Nevada is the 14th state to prohibit workplace discrimination against transgender people.

“We applaud Nevada for protecting all residents,” said Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. “Everyone should have the same opportunities to work, and this bill will help Nevada residents who are transgender support themselves and their families.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim of this brutal crime, a transgender woman who was brought to Massachusetts General Hospital in critical condition after the attack. We hope her assailant is swiftly taken into custody and brought to justice.

Massachusetts Becomes 21st State Offering Employment Non-Discrimination Protection For Transgender State Workers