Opponents of the Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law have successfully collected enough signatures to put repealing the law on the ballot in 2018. But at least one prominent Massachusetts official will not be voting for it: Governor Charlie Baker.
Baker told Boston Public Radio Thursday that, while he supported the referendum process, he would not vote for the law's repeal.
"I signed the transgender rights legislation when it came to my desk because I don't think anybody should be discriminated against, and that's my position," he said. "I've said many times that if people can collect the signatures to put a question on the ballot, it should go to voters."
"I'd vote against that," Baker continued.
The Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law allows people to choose public facilities like restrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity, and protects transgender people from discrimination in public spaces like libraries.
Baker signed the bill into law in July. Initially, he opposed a transgender public accommodations bill during his unsuccessful gubernatorial run in 2010. As the proposal moved through the legislature this year, he avoided staking a clear position on it for months before finally announcing he would sign it into law in May.
Kasey Suffredini and Mason Dunn, co-chairs of the Freedom Massachusetts coalition which supported the bill, praised Baker's announcement in a written statement.
"Governor Baker's commitment to upholding the transgender protections law demonstrates that fairness and inclusion are not partisan values. It's clear that people of all backgrounds and walks of life are in favor of freedom for all in Massachusetts," they said.
To hear more from Governor Charlie Baker, tune in to Boston Public Radio above.
