Mass. Gov. Orders Protection for Trans Workers

Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick signed an executive order Thursday banning work-based discrimination against transgender state government employees and contractors.

The order adds gender expression and identity to an existing law that bans discrimination for employees based on race, gender, and religion, according to The Boston Globe. The measure is similar to one that would extend those protections to all Massachusetts residents in the realms of housing, public accommodations, and private-sector jobs.

A recent national survey of transgender people showed that 90% of those employed had been harassed on the job, and 26% had lost a job due to being transgender.

Patrick was joined in a private signing ceremony in his office by a handful of transgender state employees.