Arlington's Gender Identity Protections Article Faces Nearly No Pushback

ARLINGTON, MA—In a time in which states such as North Carolina are passing legislation not allowing municipalities to create LGBT protections, it seems that Arlington is rowing in a different direction.

Arlington Town Meeting will take up Article 18 for discussion, which seeks to amend Title II, Article 9 of the Town Bylaws to add "gender identity and expression" to its group of protected classes. The article was unanimously supported by Arlington's Board of Selectmen, and Arlington's Human Rights Commissioner Mel Goldsipe told Patch that she has not encountered any opposition to the article.

"I thought maybe I'd meet some resistance with individual voters, but that has been easy, too," Goldsipe wrote to Patch."I attended a precinct meeting earlier this week to answer any questions Town Meeting members might have. Several people spoke up about how Article 18 clearly a good idea, and no one spoke against it or mentioned any concerns, other than hoping the Equal Access Bill also passes at the state level."

While the passage of Article 18 through Arlington Town Meeting does not seem to be met with any significant opposition, the battle to pass statewide protections has not yet gone as smoothly. Gov. Charlie Baker has maintained a neutral stance on the Equal Rights bill (which would prohibit discrimination against transgender people in public settings), stating that his decision depends on the final detail of the bill. As a result, Baker was recently booed off the stage at a Spirit Magazine Dinner due to his hesitance to support the legislation fully.

Many big names have thrown their weight behind the state bill, including national celebrities and local officials. The state's two largest teachers unions also supported the bill.

However, groups such as the Massachusetts Family Institute are against the legislation, which fears that allowing such legislation to pass could put the safety of citizens (particularly women and children) at risk by allowing members of the opposite sex into public restrooms.

Sentiments in favor of the bill currently seem to be echoed in Arlington, as Article 18 would make it against town law to “to deny, interfere with, threaten or subject an individual to coercion or intimidation concerning equal access to and/or discrimination in employment, housing, education, recreation, services, public accommodation and public area” based on someone’s gender identity or expression," according to the Arlington Human Rights Commission.

Goldsipe stated that these protections should be expected in a fair society.

"These are the same rights everyone should be able to expect in a fair society. But our society has never been fair," Goldsipe wrote. "So our bylaws name these specific groups because they are vulnerable populations that historically have suffered horrific discrimination and violence."

She also added that she had prepared statistics and arguments in favor of the article, and had "never felt more proud of our town" that she didn't have to use them.

"I haven't encountered any resistance to Article 18 at all, though I recognize that there could be silent opposition," Goldsipe wrote. "Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to Town Meeting. But I trust that Arlington will do the right thing."