Jump to content

LGBTQ rights in Massachusetts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LGBTQ rights in Massachusetts
StatusLegal since 1974 (Commonwealth v. Balthazar); legislative repeal pending[1]
Gender identityTransgender people may change gender
Discrimination protectionsYes, both sexual orientation and gender identity
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsSame-sex marriage since 2004
AdoptionYes

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Massachusetts enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people.[2] The U.S. state of Massachusetts is one of the most LGBT-supportive states in the country.[3] In 2004, it became the first U.S. state to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, and the sixth jurisdiction worldwide, after the Netherlands, Belgium, Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1974, although Massachusetts still has not legislatively repealed its sodomy law. State law bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and union practices. In November 2018, it became the first state in the country to support transgender protections through popular vote. In addition, same-sex couples are allowed to adopt, and transgender people may change their legal gender without undergoing sex reassignment surgery. In April 2019, Massachusetts became the 16th U.S. state to ban conversion therapy on LGBT minors.[4][5]

Massachusetts is home to a vibrant and visible LGBT culture. Boston, the state capital, has been ranked one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the United States,[6] noted for its LGBT dating scene, events, nightlife, clubs and bars. Provincetown, located at the tip of Cape Cod, is famous internationally for high LGBT acceptance and visibility. Northampton, on the other hand, is the town with the most lesbian couples per capita in the entire United States.[7]

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

[edit]

In 1641, Nathaniel Ward's legal code was enacted in the state, which prohibited sodomy,[8][9]

In Commonwealth v. Balthazar, in 1972, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the statute which prohibited "any unnatural and lascivious act with another person" was inapplicable to "private, consensual conduct of adults".[10]

Massachusetts has not repealed its sodomy law[11][12] and it remains on the books.[13] The Massachusetts General Court has voted down bills in committee for years, to repeal and abolish sodomy laws within sections of both §34 and §35.[14][15] During the 2018 session of the Massachusetts General Court, outdated laws on abortion, adultery and fornication were repealed,[16][17] but not the laws on sodomy, anal sex, and oral sex still listed within sections 34 and 35.[18] Presently, Massachusetts does not restrict private sexual behavior between consenting adults. It has two statutes that criminalize homosexual activity: §34 prohibits the "abominable and detestable crime against nature" and §35 prohibits "any unnatural and lascivious act with another person."

In January 2024, a bill unanimously passed the Massachusetts Senate to repeal the archaic 400 year old laws criminalizing gay sex. The bill is awaiting a vote within the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[19][1] Massachusetts is the only state in New England which has not legislatively repealed its sodomy laws. Michigan and Massachusetts are the only northern U.S. states where same-sex sexual activity is still legislatively criminalized.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

[edit]

Marriage

[edit]

Massachusetts authorized same-sex marriages within the state following the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruling on November 18, 2003 in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health that it was unconstitutional under the state Constitution for state agencies to restrict marriage to homosexual couples. The Court gave the state Legislature 180 days to enact laws pursuant to the judgment. In the absence of legislative action, Governor Mitt Romney ordered town clerks to begin issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples beginning May 17, 2004. Attempts to enact an amendment to the state Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage, the last in 2007, have been unsuccessful.[20]

A 1913 state law that forbade non-residents from marrying in Massachusetts if their marriage would be void in their home state was repealed on July 31, 2008.[21]

On July 26, 2012, the SJC ruled in Elia-Warnken v. Elia that the state recognizes a civil union established in a different jurisdiction as the equivalent of marriage. It termed a Massachusetts marriage entered into by a man who was already a party to a Vermont civil union with a third party "polygamy" and therefore void.[22] On September 28, 2012, the SJC ruled in that "Because the parties to California [registered domestic partnerships] have rights and responsibilities identical to those of marriage", it is proper to treat such relationships "as equivalent to marriage" in Massachusetts.[23]

Adoption and parenting

[edit]

In May 1985, in response to a public controversy about same-sex couple Don Babets and David Jean, who were acting as foster parents, Massachusetts issued regulations designed to prevent such couples from serving as foster parents.[24][25] The state rescinded those regulations in April 1990 as part of an out-of-court settlement of a suit brought by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), following a five-year campaign by an ad hoc group formed around the issue, Foster Equality.[26][27] The state has allowed second-parent adoption by a parent of the same sex as the existing parent since a court decision, In re Adoption of Tammy, in 1993.[28][29] In July 1999, the same court awarded visitation rights to each of two mothers after their separation.[30]

In 2004, following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, Governor Mitt Romney prevented the state's Registry of Vital Records from revising its birth certificate forms to allow for options other than one mother and one father, instead requiring hand-written changes to the documents only after receiving approval from the Governor's legal counsel. The forms were changed when Governor Deval Patrick took office in 2007.[31]

In March 2006, Catholic Charities of Boston announced it would no longer provide adoption services because it could not comply with Massachusetts law prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals.[32]

In February 2011, Massachusetts Health Commissioner John Auerbach announced plans by the end of March to standardize birth certificates, formerly designed by each city or town, by providing hospitals with electronic forms with fields labeled "mother/parent" and "father/parent". He called the system "more sensitive to the circumstances of the family and to the children."[33]

On August 1 2024, the Massachusetts General Court unanimously passed a bill to recognise and implement legal parentage from both IVF and surrogacy - regardless of marital status. The governor signed it into law on August 8, 2024 and its goes into effect on January 1, 2025. [34][35]

City of Boston

[edit]

In August 2023, the City of Boston removed all gender and sex on marriage licence forms and documents.[36][37]

Discrimination protections

[edit]

Since 1989, Massachusetts has prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in credit, public and private employment, union practices, housing, and public accommodation.[38] It was the second state to add sexual orientation to its anti-discrimination statute, following Wisconsin in 1982.[39]

On February 17, 2011, Governor Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning discrimination on the part of the state or its contractors against transgender employees of the state Government. He reiterated his support for legislation to extend similar protection to all transgender persons in the state.[40] Massachusetts enacted such legislation prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in credit, public and private employment, union practices and housing—but not public accommodations—on November 23, 2011, effective on July 1, 2012.[41][42] By the end of 2015, a bill was pending to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations, but its future was still uncertain.[43] Finally, on May 12, 2016, the state Senate voted 33–4 to approve the bill.[44] The Massachusetts House of Representatives on July 7, 2016 passed a bill by a vote of 117–36 to include gender identity to the public accommodations law. The bill was signed into law the next day, by Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker, and scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2016.[45][46] In October 2016, however, anti-transgender activists submitted the minimum number of signatures necessary, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to put the law up for repeal on a statewide ballot measure. Voters decided on November 6, 2018 to retain the law, with 67.8% in favor of upholding law, and 32.2% opposed. The Massachusetts Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Initiative was the first-ever statewide ballot question of its kind in the United States.

In June 2012, on instructions from Worcester's Roman Catholic Bishop Robert McManus, diocesan officials declined to sell a property owned by the diocese to a same-sex couple and in July lied about what happened when questioned about the sale.[47][48] In September, the couple filed suit against the bishop and other parties to the negotiations.[49]

On January 29, 2014, Matthew Barrett represented by GLAD filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination against Fontbonne Academy, a Catholic secondary school, because in July 2013 the school had withdrawn an offer of employment as food service manager when officials learned he was in a same-sex marriage.[50] The case moved to Massachusetts Superior Court, and on December 16, 2015, Judge Douglas H. Wilkins ruled in Barrett v. Fontbonne Academy that the Academy had violated the state's laws against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender.[51]

Anti-bullying legislation was enacted in May 2010. It "requires schools to adopt clear procedures for reporting and investigating cases of bullying, as well as methods for preventing retaliation against those who report problems."[52]

Since August 2021, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court made a ruling that sexual orientation is a protective class - for picking a system of LGBTQ juries within Massachusetts.[53][54]

In August 2024, a bill officially passed the Massachusetts General Court (the state Legislature) to prevent discrimination of LGBTI individuals within nursing homes. The Governor signed the bill on September 6, 2024. [55]

Hate crime law

[edit]

Massachusetts added sexual orientation to the categories protected by its 1983 hate crime legislation in June 1996.[56] The state defines a hate crime as "any criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias, including, but not limited to, a threatened, attempted or completed overt act motivated at least in part by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap, gender or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of his constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, or which seek to interfere with or disrupt a person's exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation."[57]

Massachusetts adopted the Hate Crimes Reporting Act in 1990. The legislation created a Crime Reporting Unit to collect hate crime incident reports from law enforcement and required the unit to summarize and report on the information. Regulations establish criteria for determining whether a crime is a hate crime, provide a means for advocacy organizations to report hate incidents, specify the content of crime and incident reports, and specify the content of the annual report. The crime report unit of the State Police must also collect, summarize and report hate crime data to the state Attorney General and to several legislative committees. The reports are available on public record.[58]

In 1991, the Governor created the Task Force on Hate Crimes. The task force's principal tasks are (1) developing regulations to implement the Hate Crimes Reporting Act, (2) coordinating training efforts, (3) increasing submission of hate crime data, and (4) working with community organizations and victims' groups. Initiatives for 2000 include pilot programs in high schools, youth diversion programs, a new correctional diversity awareness program, outreach coordination, a victimization survey in schools, public awareness, creating civil rights investigative teams, encouragement of reporting by law enforcement, and continued training.[59]

The term "gender identity" was added to the state's hate crime statute, effective July 1, 2012.[42]

Gender identity and expression

[edit]

Massachusetts allows transgender individuals to amend their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity. Sex reassignment surgery is not a requirement.[60]

Non-binary driver licences

[edit]

In November 2019, it was announced that both Massachusetts I.D.s and driver licences had upgraded software by the Massachusetts RMV - to include the non-binary option of "gender X" (alongside male and female on forms and applications) effective immediately.[61][62][63][64] For years bills on gender X drivers licences never passed the Massachusetts General Court - to implement these policies, so it was done by internal regulation and policy instead.[65][66]

Non-binary birth certificates

[edit]

In September 2021, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill to allow gender X (alongside male and female) on an individual's birth certificate. The Massachusetts House of Representatives is yet to vote on the bill.[67][68]

Reaffirmed gender healthcare law

[edit]

In July 2022, an extensive bill passed both houses of the Massachusetts General Court - that codifies "reaffirmed gender healthcare protections" embedded within Massachusetts legislation. The Governor of Massachusetts signed the bill into law. The law went into effect immediately, due to an "emergency clause" within the bill - bypassing the usual 90-day period Massachusetts laws go into effect after enactment from the Governor.[69][70][71]

Intersex rights

[edit]

In October 2020, Boston Children's Hospital announced they would stop performing clitoroplasties and vaginoplasties in intersex infants without meaningful conversation and consent from the child. This broke from decades old medical protocol which included medical and surgical intervention to alter the physical appearance of the infant's genitals but carried risks of loss of sensation, fertility issues, pain during intercourse and incontinence.[72]

Conversion therapy

[edit]

In June 2018, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill by a vote of 137–14 to legally ban conversion therapy practices on minors. The bill, however, failed to pass the Massachusetts Senate before it adjourned sine die.[73][74][75][76]

On March 13, 2019, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed H140, which would ban conversion therapy on minors, by a vote of 147–8.[77][78] The bill was approved by the state Senate with amendments by a vote of 34–0 on March 28, 2019. An engrossed bill was enacted on April 4, 2019, and awaited consideration by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, who indicated he was "inclined to support" such legislation.[79] The Governor signed the bill into law on April 8, 2019 and it went into effect immediately.[4][5]

Flying flag protections

[edit]

Several Massachusetts cities, towns and localities overwhelmingly passed local ordinances and resolutions to explicitly “protect flying flags” - especially the rainbow symbol LGBTIQ+ community progress pride flag. Two decades ago Massachusetts was in fact the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage by a court.[80]

Public opinion and attitudes

[edit]
Provincetown LGBT Carnival in 2012

According to a 2017 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), 80% of Massachusetts residents supported same-sex marriage, whereas 13% were opposed and 7% were undecided.[81] This was the highest support recorded in the United States, tied with Vermont. The PRRI poll also showed that support for anti-discrimination laws covering sexual orientation and gender identity enjoyed wide popular support. Likewise, 80% were in favor of such laws, while 13% were opposed. 70% also expressed opposition to religious-based refusals to serve LGBTQ people. 23% expressed support.[81]

A 2020 PRRI poll found 77% of Massachusetts residents supported same-sex marriage and 19% opposed.[82]

Summary table

[edit]
Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes (Since 1974; statutory repeal pending[1])
Equal age of consent (16) Yes
Anti-discrimination laws in all areas Yes (Sexual orientation since 1989 and gender identity since 2016)
Same-sex marriages Yes (Since 2004; the first in the United States)
Recognition of same-sex couples Yes
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples Yes (Since 1993)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples Yes
Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve openly in the military Yes (Since 2011)
Transgender people allowed to serve openly in the military Yes/No (Most transgender personnel allowed to serve openly since 2021)[83]
Intersex people allowed to serve openly in the military X/Yes (Current DoD policy bans "Hermaphrodites" from serving or enlisting in the military)[84]
Both hate crime and anti-discrimination legislation explicitly covers sexual orientation, gender identity and expression Yes/No (Unknown if hate crime and anti-discrimination laws covers gender expression)
Right to change legal gender without surgery Yes
Access to IVF for lesbians Yes
Third gender option No/Yes (Only on I.D.s and driver licences, not birth certificates since 2019)[61]
Legal access to single gender-neutral bathrooms No
Abolition of the Gay and trans panic defense No
Conversion therapy banned on minors Yes[85][4][5]
Intersex minors protected from invasive surgical procedures No
LGBT anti-bullying law in schools and colleges Yes
LGBTQIA2S+ pride flag protections No/Yes (Some cities, towns and localities since 2024)[86]
LGBT community training required for Massachusetts law enforcement and police No
LGBTQ-friendly curriculums within state-based schools and classrooms No
Banning the outing of LGBT students within public schools No
Homosexuality or bisexuality no longer considered a mental illness No
Conjugal visits for same-sex couples No
Surrogacy access for gay male couples Yes
MSMs allowed to donate blood Yes (Since 2023, with conditions - such as being monogamous)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Salerno, Rob (January 19, 2024). "Massachusetts Senate measure repeals sodomy & anti-trans laws". Los Angeles Blade. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  2. ^ "Massachusetts Know Your Rights". GLAD. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  3. ^ Theil, Michele (February 2, 2024). "Groundbreaking map shows which US states are the least safe for LGBTQ+ people". PinkNews. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Massachusetts Is Now the 16th State to Ban Conversion Therapy". Out. April 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "MA's Gov. Baker Signs Legislation Protecting Youth into Law". Human Rights Campaign. April 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  6. ^ Phelps, Rob (May 28, 2015). "Boston scores as 11th most gay-friendly city in America". Boston Spirit Magazine. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  7. ^ "The Most Gay-Friendly Towns in Massachusetts Could Do Better". Boston.com. November 12, 2014. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  8. ^ Katz, Jonathan. "Sodomy Law: Massachusetts Bay, November, 1641". OutHistory. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  9. ^ Katz, Jonathan. "Sodomy Law: Massachusetts Bay, 1648". OutHistory. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  10. ^ Commonwealth v. Richard L. Balthazar, 366 Mass. 298 (Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court 1972).
  11. ^ Dumcius, Gintautas (July 20, 2015). "You technically can't do it in Massachusetts: Blasphemy, sex laws still on the books". masslive.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  12. ^ "17 States Where Gay Sex Is Outlawed". The Advocate. June 1, 2016. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  13. ^ "After overturning Roe v. Wade, is Lawrence v. Texas next?". Out. July 12, 2022. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "An Act relative to archaic crimes". Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  15. ^ "An Act relative to the reform of archaic laws implicating certain private consensual intimate conduct between adults". Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  16. ^ Salsberg, Bob (July 27, 2018). "Massachusetts 1st to repeal long-dormant ban on abortion". boston.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "Gov. Baker Signs Bill Repealing Antiquated Mass. Abortion Ban". WBUR News. July 27, 2018. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "Massachusetts law about sex". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  19. ^ "Massachusetts Senate unanimously passes bill to repeal sodomy ban & anti-trans laws". January 19, 2024.
  20. ^ Boston Globe: Frank Phillips, "Legislators vote to defeat same-sex marriage ban," June 14, 2007 Archived February 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 9, 2011
  21. ^ Boston Globe: Michael Levenson," Governor signs law allowing out-of-state gays to wed," July 31, 2008 Archived September 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 9, 2011
  22. ^ Finucane, Martin (July 26, 2012). "Massachusetts high court says it recognizes Vermont civil unions as marriages". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  23. ^ "SJC: Massachusetts Recognizes California Registered Domestic Partnerships". GLAD. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  24. ^ Cooper, Kenneth (May 25, 1985). "New Policy on Foster Care". Boston Globe.
  25. ^ Nancy D. Polikoff, "Lesbian and Gay Couples Raising Children: The Law in the United States," in Robert Wintemute, Mads Tønnesson Andenæs, eds., Legal recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships: A Study of National, European and International Law (Portland, OR: Hart Publishing, 2001), 159-60
  26. ^ Longcope, Kay (April 5, 1990). "Foster-Care Ban on Gays is Reversed". Boston Globe.
  27. ^ Patricia A. Gozemba, Karen Kahn, Marilyn Humphries, eds., Courting Equality: A Documentary History of America's First Legal Same-Sex Marriages (Boston: Beacon Press, 2007), 48
  28. ^ Yuval Merin, Equality for Same-Sex Couples, 182
  29. ^ Wong, Doris Sue (September 11, 1993). "Lesbian couple allowed to adopt". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  30. ^ "Equal rights: When Heather's Mommies Share Custody". Boston Globe. September 12, 1999. Archived from the original on February 13, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  31. ^ Waas, Murray (October 25, 2012). "Romney rejected new birth certificates for gay parents". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  32. ^ Boston Globe: "Catholic Charities Transfers Caseload, Staff," April 29, 2006 Archived November 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 9, 2011. See also: Robin Fretwell Wilson, "Matters of Conscience: Lessons for Same-Sex Marriage from the Healthcare Context," in Douglas Laycock, Robin Fretwell Wilson, eds., Same-sex Marriage and Religious Liberty: Emerging Conflicts (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008), 102, et passim
  33. ^ Boston Globe: Stephen Smith, "Mass. moves to standardize birth certificates," February 17, 2011 Archived November 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 9, 2011
  34. ^ "Massachusetts will soon have a new law protecting LGBTQ+ families". August 2024.
  35. ^ "MA Legislature Enacts Bill to Protect LGBTQ+ Families". August 2024.
  36. ^ "Boston marriage licences no longer require gender identification". August 30, 2023.
  37. ^ "Boston passes historic rule that lets people marry... Without gender". September 3, 2023.
  38. ^ New York Times: "A Gay Rights Law Is Voted in Massachusetts," November 1, 1989 Archived November 20, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 29, 2011
  39. ^ Pinello, Daniel R. (226). America's Struggle for Same-Sex Marriage. Cambridge University Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0521848565.
  40. ^ Levenson, Michael (February 18, 2011). "Transgender state workers get aid from governor". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2013.; O'Connell, Sue (February 17, 2011). "Patrick signs executive order protecting transgender state employees". Bay Windows. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  41. ^ Bill H.3810: An Act relative to gender identity Archived November 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, General Court of Massachusetts
  42. ^ a b Barusch, M.; Reuben, Catherine E. (May 8, 2012). "Transgender Equal Rights In Massachusetts: Likely Broader Than You Think". Boston Bar Journal. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  43. ^ "Transgender rights bill continues to languish in legislature". Boston.com. December 1, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  44. ^ "Transgender rights bill advances in Massachusetts". Reuters. May 12, 2016. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  45. ^ BOB SALSBERG (July 7, 2016). "Massachusetts legislature approves transgender rights bill". www.lgbtqnation.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  46. ^ Ennis, Dawn (July 8, 2016). "Massachusetts governor signs sweeping transgender rights bill". www.lgbtqnation.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  47. ^ Williamson, Dianne (July 26, 2012). "'Plans' don't include sale to gay couple". Worcester Telegram. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  48. ^ Anderson, Karen (July 26, 2012). "Gay Couple Says Church Is Blocking Sale Of Historic Home". CBS Boston. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  49. ^ Wangsness, Lisa (September 10, 2012). "Gay couple says church denied Northbridge mansion sale to stop same-sex weddings". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  50. ^ Valencia, Milton J. (January 30, 2014). "Gay married man says Catholic school rescinded job offer". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  51. ^ Labbe, Mark (December 28, 2015). "Judge says Catholic school discriminated against man in same-sex marriage". National Catholic Reporter. Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  52. ^ Boston Globe: Sarah Schweitzer, "Activists urge lawmakers to expand bullying law," February 10, 2011 Archived November 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 9, 2011
  53. ^ "LGBTQ Jurors Part of Protected Class, Mass. Justices Say - Law360".
  54. ^ "Jury challenges based on sexual orientation invalid | Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly". August 16, 2021.
  55. ^ [1]
  56. ^ Boston Globe: Doris Sue Wong, "Senate Expands Hate-crime Law," June 21, 1996 Archived November 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine accessed March 9, 2011
  57. ^ "Massachusetts General Laws". Definition: Hate Crime. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  58. ^ General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 22C, §§ 34 Archived March 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 3, 2011
  59. ^ Reinhart, Christopher. "OLR Research Report". Research Report. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  60. ^ Human Rights Campaign: Massachusetts Birth Certificate Law, MASS. GEN. LAWS ANN. ch. 46, § 13(e) Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 10, 2011
  61. ^ a b "Western Massachusetts residents react to RMV's gender 'X' option". November 15, 2019.
  62. ^ Vaughn, Alyssa (November 13, 2019). "The Mass. RMV Officially Recognizes a Non-Binary Gender Option Now". Boston Magazine. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  63. ^ "Non-binary gender designation is now available on Mass. Licenses". Boston.com. November 13, 2019.
  64. ^ @GLADLaw (November 13, 2019). "Non-binary gender designation is now available on Mass. licenses. Shout out to @MassTPC for the critical work on th…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  65. ^ Schoenberg, Shira (June 28, 2018). "Massachusetts Senate passes bill allowing 'X' as a gender on state IDs". masslive.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  66. ^ An Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification
  67. ^ "Mass. Senate Approves Bill That Would Let Residents Change Sex on Birth Record to X". September 23, 2021.
  68. ^ "MA bill would let residents change birth certificate gender marker to 'X'". September 23, 2021.
  69. ^ "Governor Baker Signs Legislation Further Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services". Mass.gov. July 29, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  70. ^ "Massachusetts compromise bill expanding abortion rights sent to governor's desk". Fox News. July 27, 2022.
  71. ^ "Massachusetts legislature sends measure codifying right to abortion, gender-affirming health care to governor's desk". July 27, 2022.
  72. ^ "Boston Children's Hospital will no longer perform two types of intersex surgery on children". The 19th. October 21, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  73. ^ Lannan, Katie. "Massachusetts House Votes To Ban So-Called Conversion Therapy". www.nepr.net. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  74. ^ "Shutting The Back Door: How One Mother Sees Proposed Ban in Massachusetts on 'Conversion Therapy' for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity". May 30, 2018. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  75. ^ "An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors". Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  76. ^ "An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors". Archived from the original on September 5, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  77. ^ "Bill H.140". Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  78. ^ Anya Crittenton (March 13, 2019). "Massachusetts House passes bill banning conversion therapy on minors". GayStarNews. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  79. ^ "Beacon Hill lawmakers pass gay conversion therapy ban - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  80. ^ "Town votes overwhelmingly in favor of flying Progress Pride flags". May 28, 2024.
  81. ^ a b "PRRI – American Values Atlas". ava.prri.org. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  82. ^ "PRRI – American Values Atlas". ava.prri.org. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  83. ^ "Biden reverses Trump ban on transgender people in military". Associated Press. April 20, 2021.
  84. ^ "Medical Conditions That Can Keep You from Joining the Military". May 10, 2021.
  85. ^ "An Act Relative To Abusive Practices To Change Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity In Minors". www.malegislature.gov.
  86. ^ "Town responds powerfully after thief steals over 200 Pride flags overnight". June 3, 2024.