A Milestone in Massachusetts: Trans Rights Bill Signed

The moment that transgender activists in Massachusetts had been waiting for finally came Thursday as Gov. Deval Patrick sat at a desk at the statehouse and signed into law a bill that bans many types of discrimination.

The new law includes transgender people in an antidiscrimination statement that affects employment, housing, insurance, and credit, and it's inclusive of them in hate-crimes laws, according to the Boston Herald.

"Governor Patrick was a staunch advocate of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill from the earliest days of his administration, and we applaud his unwavering leadership in creating a Commonwealth where all hardworking people, including transgender people, will have the opportunity to make a living, put a roof over their heads, and get an education without fear of being discriminated against simply because of who they are," said Kara Suffredini, executive director of MassEquality, in a statement.

But she also points out that there is more work to do.

"We are looking forward to working with the governor and lawmakers in getting a public accommodations law passed that will also protect transgender people from discrimination in public places like restaurants, grocery stores, trains and buses, and other places where daily life is routinely conducted," Suffredini said.