By Mary Romaniec
The Grafton News
A gathering of a dozen families at the Community Barn in North Grafton on Monday brought together a group pushing for state legislation to prevent discrimination against transgender identity.
The group from Freedom Massachusetts called on local and state officials to support HB 1577 and SB 735, bills that would expand anti-discrimination laws to include those who are transgender to have access to public accommodations.
Bill supporters point out that to those specifically in the transgender community, many of whom are children, face bias and unwarranted discrimination from public facilities like hotels, restaurants, shops and museums where service could be denied.
According to Grafton resident Jeanne Talbot, whose daughter, Nicole, transitioned this year to her female identity, current state laws only go so far to protect individuals from arbitrary discrimination, She said her daughter and others could be subjected to undue harassment without these legal protections in place.
Nicole, 14, concurred with the effort to persuade lawmakers to support the bills with a nod to the whole LGBT community.
“I think everyone in the LGBT community is an activist pushing this bill,” she said.
State legislators in the Judiciary Committee were slated to begin public hearings on the bills Tuesday. The House bill is sponsored by Reps. Denise Provost (D-Somerville) and Byron Rushing (D-Boston). The Senate bill is sponsored by Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston).
Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury) spoke at Monday’s event where he acknowledged his lack of understanding the complex issue until he was educated by Jeanne Talbot.
“It was difficult to wrap my head around,” said Moore on the challenges transgender families face.
Moore said it was his meeting with Talbot that allowed him to put a face to the issue to comprehend the civil rights component.
Mason Dunn, executive director for Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition said, “In our mind we know it’s time. It’s time for discrimination to come to an end in this state.”
He added, “This is important (legislation) to you and your family.”
Both mother and daughter Talbots concurred. “This journey has made me a better person,” said the elder Talbot. She continued by explaining how the legislative effort was not just to protect transgender individuals today, but the next generation of children.
Casting about the room in the families were children as young as eight who have identified as transgender.
“This is not something you choose,” said Talbot of her daughter’s quest to transition to what is described as her true identity.
Other families also described their struggles with coming to terms with their child’s transgender identity, and then their effort to fully support their child through the process.
For Nicole, the awareness of being ‘a different kind of boy’ was realized at a very young age. By age 7, Jeanne said Nicole presented with the main characteristics of children who identify as transgender.
“Her behavior was consistent, persistent and insistent,” Talbot said. “At first I was in denial. This chapter was not in the parenting manual.”
But through research, counseling and more research, Talbot said she was able to come to grips with understanding her child’s need, and the process to transition to female.
Jeanne said she also turned to the transgender community and realized she was not alone. She noted that even Boston Children’s Hospital has a whole practice dedicated to transgender children, led by Dr. Norman Spack, a pediatric endocrinologist and an expert on teen gender identity.
For Nicole, the transition to female early this year was met with support from school and friends. Her candor and confidence belie her young age as she resolutely asserts she is who she has always been.
“I’ve known I was a girl since I could express myself,” said Nicole. “I feel so much happier.”
Her mother agrees that her daughter is much more confident and happier since transitioning, which is why she believes the next generation of children needs to be equally supported and protected, as do their families.
For more information on the current legislation progress, visit freedommassachusetts.org.
SOURCE: http://www.thegraftonnews.com/legislators-hear-from-transgender-families-2/