Mass. elected officials denounce White House’s rescinding of transgender restroom guidelines
Massachusetts elected officials are denouncing the Trump administration’s decision Wednesday to revoke Obama-era federal guidelines that allowed transgender students to use the restrooms of their gender identity. Students in the Commonwealth will be protected under the transgender public accommodations law signed by Gov. Charlie Baker last summer, The Boston Globe reports. Lizzy Guyton, a spokeswoman for Baker, told the Globe the changes to the federal guidelines won’t affect the state law and “protections for schools and families will remain in place for the Commonwealth.”Even so, Massachusetts elected officials and politicians quickly condemned the White House’s policy on social media in the hours after the decision was announced, emphasizing a commitment to protecting the transgender community. Here’s what they had to say:Gov. Charlie Baker:“The Baker-Polito Administration believes no one should be discriminated against based on their gender identity,” Guyton told the Globe.
Gov. @CharlieBakerMA on President Trump’s rollback of guidance on transgender students #mapoli pic.twitter.com/EVCrl3llQJ
— Gintautas Dumcius (@gintautasd) February 23, 2017
Attorney General Maura Healey:
Every student deserves to be treated equally in our schools. Trump is sending a message that discrimination is acceptable. #TitleIX
— AG Maura Healey Archived (@AGHealeyArchive) February 23, 2017
We remain committed to ensuring that transgender students and families are treated with fairness and dignity. #TitleIX
— AG Maura Healey Archived (@AGHealeyArchive) February 23, 2017
Equal rights for all, no matter where they come from, how they worship, or what gender they identify with. #TitleIX https://t.co/ojMDWs4dVM pic.twitter.com/SEMNkaLpiK
— AG Maura Healey Archived (@AGHealeyArchive) February 23, 2017
Equal treatment is the right of every student in the United States. Trump can’t change that. We are going to #ProtectTransKids. #TitleIX
— AG Maura Healey Archived (@AGHealeyArchive) February 23, 2017
Mayor Marty Walsh:
The White House’s reckless actions last night undermine the promise of civil rights and equal protection for all in this country. (1/3)
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) February 23, 2017
Revoking the clarified protections for transgender students sends a message that they are not worthy of this promise. (2/3)
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) February 23, 2017
The @CityOfBoston will continue to step up & protect our students from discrimination & always be an inclusive city. (3/3)
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) February 23, 2017
Sen. Elizabeth Warren:
https://www.facebook.com/senatorelizabethwarren/posts/732910706871425
Sen. Ed Markey:
.realdonaldtrump thinks #LGBT stands for Let’s Go Back in Time. He’s wrong. We stand w/the transgender community in fight to defend progress
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) February 23, 2017
All students deserve to feel safe and valued for who they are. Shame on you, @realDonaldTrump. #protecttranskids
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) February 23, 2017
Rep. Katherine Clark:
Ripping away protections for trans students is not only backwards and cruel, it will make our schools less safe. #ProtectTransKids
— Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) February 23, 2017
Rep. Niki Tsongas:
https://twitter.com/nikiinthehouse/status/834737457392472065
Rep. Jim McGovern:
Every day #LGBT youth in schools across the country experience #bullying. Taking away policies to #ProtectTransKids is cruel & wrong. pic.twitter.com/dhUGMP0LLF
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) February 23, 2017
Every student deserves to feel safe at school. Trump targeting #trans youth because of who they are is shameful. We must #ProtectTransKids. https://t.co/OYCstK2ciM
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) February 23, 2017
.@BarackObama showed real leadership by acting to #ProtectTransKids. We’re ready to fight to protect #LGBT progress. pic.twitter.com/QqmrJUA7MG
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) February 23, 2017
Rep. Joe Kennedy III:
Civil rights can’t be rescinded with the careless swipe of a thoughtless pen. We #ProtectTransKids b/c rights aren’t conditional. #TitleIX
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) February 23, 2017
Rep. Stephen Lynch:
This is why I cosponsored H. Res. 136 #EqualityforAll Resolution. We need to extend anti-discrimination protections for #LGBTQ individuals.
— Rep. Stephen Lynch (@RepStephenLynch) February 23, 2017
