Boston Business Journal

The fate of a statewide bill that would protect transgender people from workplace discrimination hangs in the balance, yet transgender advocates say the bill would serve as an important tool in the battle against bigotry.

While the future of House Bill 1722 -- which would expand the state's non-discrimination laws to protect all people regardless of their gender expression -- is uncertain, supporters say it is crucial in order to protect transgender people from the discrimination they face at work. The bill was discussed by members of the legal community, businesses and the public during a Judiciary Committee hearing this week.

The bill would add "gender identity or expression" to Massachusetts hate crime laws as well as to the employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and public education non-discrimination laws.

Transgender people often face harassment at work after they have transitioned from one sex to the other and are sometimes outright fired. As a result, they are often unemployed or underemployed, experts say.