EASTHAMPTON – The City Council on Wednesday gave its support to bills being considered by state lawmakers that would expand protections for transgender people.
The Senate and House bills would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in public accommodations – meaning that it would be illegal to prohibit a transgender woman from using a women’s restroom in establishments open to the public, for example.
After hearing from several vocal supporters, the City Council voted unanimously for a resolution supporting the measures. It plans to send copies to state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Gov. Charlie Baker and the city’s elected state lawmakers: Rep. John Scibak and Sen. Donald Humason.
The City Council also voted unanimously in favor of another resolution opposing a proposal to lift the cap for the number of charter schools in the state.
The transgender protection resolution was written by at-large Councilor Tamara Smith and District 2 Councilor Jennifer Hayes.
“The city of Easthampton includes transgender people and allies who live here, work here, attend our schools, and contribute to our community and economy,” the resolution reads. “Gender identity discrimination and bullying are leading causes of suicide among transgender youth, and the Easthampton Public School system has demonstrated commitment to the rights and safety of transgender youth, as evidenced by gender-neutral restrooms at the high school and an active Straight-Gay Student Alliance.”
Smith said her first job as an at-large city councilor is to represent all people in the city. And that means promoting acceptance in all corners – from churches to businesses to municipal property.
“These spaces that are open to the public should be open to everyone on the same terms, including residents and visitors who are transgender or gender non-conforming,” she said.
Hayes expressed disappointment that Baker has declined to take a stance on the bill. After hearing that the Boston City Council had passed a resolution on the legislation, Hayes said she felt compelled to do the same in Easthampton. “It’s a civil rights issue,” she said.
Unusual for a resolution, Council President Joseph McCoy said that the council would accept public comment before voting.
Among those offering comments was city resident Jennifer Levi, director of the GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Transgender Rights Project and professor of law at Western New England University in Springfield.
Levi said she worked on writing an earlier transgender protection bill.
“We think that its essential to have our community, that is so supportive, to go on record that we care and provide for our neighbors,” she Levi said.
Resident Amy Dame spoke to “the bathroom issue.”
“I feel like people who are against these bills like to pit women against each other by saying that trans women will be a risk to cis gender women,” she said, referring to women whose gender identity aligns with their biological gender.
Dame said there already are laws in place that prohibit harassment and other crimes in bathrooms. If passed, the bill will “make it safer for all women to access resources and access service,” Dame said.
Resident Daniel O’Donoghue, a teacher at Hopkins Academy in Hadley and member of the state Commission on LGBTQ Youth, also spoke in support of the resolution because of its potential to sway state lawmakers, but also because of what it says about the Easthampton community.
“By having this legislation be supported by the town that I live in … really it means that I get to live my authentic life,” he said. “I makes a huge difference to our family and friends to live in a place where we can be who we are.”
The council also unanimously approved a resolution voicing opposition to lifting the state-imposed limit on the number of charter schools, which was crafted by District 1 Councilor James “JP” Kwiecinski.
The city in the current fiscal year is paying $729,162 in charter school tuition for children who are educated outside of the city’s school system.
“Charter schools are not only often approved over the objections of a majority of community residents and their elected officials, but once approved use public funds without being accountable to any local elected official,” the resolution reads.
It goes on to state that charter school policies create “separate and unequal opportunities for success” by often failing to serve the same proportion of students with special needs, low incomes and those learning English as a second language as the districts from which they receive students.
“We need to assure what occurred 150 years ago in Massachusetts with the beginning of public education continues,” Kwiecinski said.
Resident Heather LaPenn spoke in favor of the resolution. She said the cost of charter school tuition continues to strain an already tight city school budget, which forces cuts to programs and staff, in turn creating a cycle of students leaving the district for charter schools.
“We’ve lost programs, we’ve lost good staff and what we want to see ismore programs and more support for our staff,” she said. “Our public schools are worth saving.”
Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com.