|
From: Jeff Ross
7 Linnaean Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
To: Cambridge City
Council
City Hall, 2nd Floor
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
FAX: (617) 349-4287
Council@CambridgeMA.GOV
Honorable Councilors,
In light of the fact that Cambridge is one
of just 81 counties and cities in all of America that has laws in
place that prevents discrimination against transgender individuals, I
respectfully urge that the Cambridge City Council adopt a resolution
supporting H 1722, An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and
Hate Crimes, filed by Carl Sciortino, State Representative for the
34th Middlesex district.
The Constitution affirms the fundamental
dignity and equality of all individuals. Unfortunately, transgender
people face widespread prejudice throughout the Commonwealth. As an
openly gay man, I am fully aware of what it feels like to be
discriminated against. However, the laws of the Commonwealth
currently afford no explicit protections to individuals targeted on
the basis of their gender identity and expression. H 1722 is critical
to ensure that gender identity and expression are included in the
state’s non-discrimination statute and hate crime laws.
Nine other states, the District of
Columbia and 81 counties and cities, including Boston, Cambridge and
Northampton have laws in place that prohibit discrimination of
transgender individuals. I find it hard to imagine that our
Commonwealth, which prides itself on being a champion of civil
liberties, does not protect transgender individuals from
discrimination and hate crimes. This bill will ensure the protection
of transgender people is explicit and uniform throughout the
Commonwealth.
H 1722 creates strong anti-discrimination
protections for individuals whose gender identity or expression does
not conform to gender stereotypes. I strongly urge you to pass a
resolution in support of this bill.
Yours truly,
Jeff Ross |
