From DotOUT.org's August 29, 2011 Candidate Forum Held at The Ledge in Dorchester, MA for Boston City Councilor Candidates Districts 2, 3, AND 7.
Question #1: As a Boston City Councilor, do you support non-discrimination laws protecting the transgender community and what actions have you or will you take to ensure the passage of this important legislation?
From DotOUT.org's August 29, 2011 Candidate Forum Held at The Ledge in Dorchester, MA
Suzanne Lee (District 2): I believe that one of the most integral parts in the current movement for social change is the protection of our transgender friends and neighbors. I fully supported the transgender resolution that the City Council passed unanimously this year, and I believe that we need to continue our efforts to both educate the public and work with the state legislators to pass statewide transgender rights legislation. As a City Councilor I would work closely with transgender rights organizations such as MTPC and MassEquality to help fight discrimination here in Boston and to help aid our state legislature to finally bring transgender equal rights legislation to Massachusetts.
As both an immigrant and a woman, I have battled racial and gender barriers my entire life. Through my decades of work in the community I have fought discrimination in any and every form. I founded and chaired the Chinese Progressive Association over 30 years ago, and we have worked with the Chinese community as well as across Boston to fight discrimination and build a movement for social change. I see the transgender community as an important part of this movement, and believe working for transgender rights is the next step in my work for social change.
Marydith Tuitt (District 3): I believe we should accept everyone for themselves, I am supportive of the transgender bill now on the books on Beacon Hill and with my boss in trying to get it passed.
Martin Hogan (District 3): I have for a long time supported the rights of all and I will continue to do so. I will fully support any and all legislation that supports non-discrimination laws. We have come too far in this country and specifically the city of Boston to allow that type of hatred and divisiveness to fester in our neighborhoods.
Stephanie Everett (District 3): As a Boston City Councilor I would strongly support non-discriminating laws that protect the transgender community. I applaud the siting Council members for unanimously passing An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights in March. I was honored to serve for a Senator who co-sponsored An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights (S. 764), ans as a City Councilor would work with my state counterparts to encourage the passage of the bill.
Craig Galvin (District 3): Yes, I support non-discrimination laws, and I will aggressively advocate for legislation that promotes equality and secures civil liberties for all residents. I will continue to support and encourage others' participation in public outreach and education that promotes inclusion and celebrate all aspects of life experiences.
John O'Toole (District 3): As was previously reported, I do support non-discrimination laws protecting the transgender community. I would lobby the representatives in the house an senate to encourage passage of this legislation.
Frank Baker (District 3): Yes. As a City Councilor, I would have no direct legislative authority over the bill, but I would speak with my contacts at the state level to encourage passage.
Tito Jackson (District 7): Yes, I do support non-discrimination laws protecting the transgender community. I am immensely proud of the Patrick Administration's Executive Order that protects Transgendered State Employees from discrimination. As a City Councilor, I will work with my colleagues on the Council and our counterparts in the State House to protect Transgendered people from discrimination by passing the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. This piece of legislation should be law. In the wake of the death of a transgendered woman who was beaten to death in Chelsea, it is about more than just providing equal rights, it is about shielding them from violence.
Sheneal Parker (District 7): As a prospective City Councilor, and a proactive citizen of minority decent I support non-discrimination laws. Gender Identity like sexual orientation is not a choice or something that should be debated by anyone but the individual person. Throughout the last decade we've witnessed how groups have been alienated and targeted and we must do what we can to protect them........We must be clear on the seriousness and illegality of harassment, prejudice, discrimination or hate crimes committed on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
