MassEquality Fights for Universal Rights
An Op-Ed in Boston Metro - Published March 31, 2008
When MassEquality speaks, legislators
listen.
When MassEquality speaks, legislators listen. Founded in the aftermath of the Supreme Judicial Court ruling that paved the way for gay marriage, it has thwarted multiple attempts to amend the states constitution to deny rights. The organization has targeted legislators opposed to gay unions defeating several while helping to reelect every incumbent lawmaker in support of gay marriage. MassEquality has transformed the political culture in Massachusetts: Now, gay marriage support equals electoral success. With marriage rights protected, it should come as no surprise that MassEquality has expanded its legislative efforts beyond the clang of wedding bells.
Next on the docket are bills to protect gay and lesbian teens during school, particularly funding for the GLBT Youth and Safe Schools Program which was slashed under the Romney administration and legislation to set anti-bullying measures in the states classrooms and schoolyards. Gay and lesbian youth are an at-risk population, said MassEquality Campaign Director Marc Solomon. Unfortunately, their rate of suicide attempts is higher than straight youth and the HIV rate, after a period of decline, is back on the rise.
MassEquality is fighting to get full access to Medicaid benefits for married senior citizen same-sex couples and more funding for the GLBT Aging Project. As Solomon points out, life for gay seniors can be isolating. Many health care providers are unfamiliar with the challenges that older gay and lesbian patients face. The organization has thrown its full support behind a recent bill to offer equal protection to transgendered individuals. Despite the states reputation as a trailblazer on marriage equality, Massachusetts lags behind many states in protecting the rights of the transgendered community in employment, housing and hate crimes. According to Solomon, the recent hearing on the bill was a first for transgendered rights at the statehouse. Our model is not to become experts in these subject matters, but to partner with leading organizations, like Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, to provide grassroots support with our 200,000 members, affiliated organizations and political contacts, added Solomon.
