Transgender bill opens door to party clash
Activists see 'flip-flop' by GOP nominee Baker
By Michael Levenson
Globe Staff / April 20, 2010
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/04/20/activists_accuse_gop_nominee_baker_of_flip_flop_on_transgender_rights/Charles D. Baker, who came to last Saturday's state Republican convention hoping to focus squarely on the economy, taxes, and jobs, has sparked a heated debate over a divisive social issue by deriding a transgender-rights bill cosponsored by his running mate, state Senate minority leader Richard R. Tisei.
At issue is a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of "gender identity or expression.'' Social conservatives have dubbed it the "bathroom bill,'' contending it would sanction unisex bathrooms and locker rooms.
On Saturday, after critics of the bill highlighted Tisei's support for the legislation in phone calls to delegates and in petitions at the convention, Baker quickly issued a flier calling it the "bathroom bill'' and saying he would veto it if elected.
