Bay WindowsSunday Mar 23, 2008
"During the hearing several opponents of the bill, including representatives from the anti-gay groups Massachusetts Family Institute and MassResistance, argued that adding trans-inclusive language to the state's non-discrimination law around public accommodations would threaten the safety of women and children by loosening the rules about who can use women's bathrooms and locker rooms. When asked if concerns about bathrooms prompted the committee to hold off on giving the bill an "ought to pass" vote, Conley said, "It plays a role, but not a major one." He said the larger issue was the committee's difficulty in sorting through the different provisions of the bill and the testimony in the short timeframe between the hearing and the March 19 deadline."