76% of Mass. voters in favor of protecting transgender people from discrimination

The majority of Massachusetts's voters support legislative protections for transgender people, a Lake Research Partners poll found this month, including 81% of women.

"Support for the law is deep and broad and stretches across demographic and geographic groups," the poll analysis read.

"Voters understand discrimination and don't want to see it allowed in the Commonwealth," said Rep. Carl Sciortino (D), lead sponsor of a proposed bill that would extend protection against discrimination to transgender people, said. "Legislators seriously underestimate their constituents if they think voters don't get this. It's time for Massachusetts to join the 13 other states that ban discrimination against their transgender citizens."

More than 4 in 10 voters had a 'very positive' reaction regarding the anti-discrimination bill, the poll revealed, and 76% of respondents had an overall 'positive reaction.' According to the analysis, "this data solidly places Massachusetts in the top tier of states supporting protections."

400 likely voters also indicated during phone interviews conducted from Nov. 4 - 8 that they would be more likely to vote for their legislator if their legislator voted for the bill (H. 1728/S. 1687).

"Every day in Massachusetts, transgender people lose their jobs, are evicted, suffer harassment, and are denied services because of who they are," said Sciortino. "Let's not tolerate that any more. Let's pass this bill."

Female voters were particularly strong in their support of the anti-discrimination bill; 81% of women reported a 'positive reaction' and 49% reported a 'very positive' reaction.

The analysis concluded that the anti-discrimination bill "is not a controversial issue for voters; equality, prohibiting discrimination, and extending legal protections to everyone has become a core value in Massachusetts."

A coalition of Massachusetts organizations released the poll findings Nov. 11, including the Massachusetts chapter of National Organization for Women; the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter; ACLU of Massachusetts; Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition; Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders; MassEquality; Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus; Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association; and 70 other member organizations of the Transgender Civil Rights Coalition.