On Nov. 6, we will vote on Question 3, which will uphold or reject a bill passed by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2016 that prohibited discrimination based on gender identity in public places.
A “yes” vote supports upholding the law — which requires access to areas segregated based on gender, such as restrooms — to be allowed according to an individual’s self-identified gender identity. Proponents of a “no” vote have argued that the law threatens public safety. But a recent study found no relation between public transgender bathroom access and crimes that occur in bathrooms or changing rooms. There were actually fewer incidents of safety violations in places with gender-identity inclusive public accommodations laws than in areas without the laws.
Furthermore, restricted restroom access has disturbing effects on the health and well-being of trans people. A 2015 study of over 27,000 transgender adults found that nearly one-third avoided eating or drinking for fear of problems in gender-segregated restrooms. Six in 10 avoided restrooms, a quarter had been told they were “using the wrong restroom,” and 8 percent had developed a kidney or urinary tract infection due to avoiding public bathrooms.
My research with over 500 trans students in college found that fewer than half of students reported attending institutions where gender-inclusive restrooms were present in major campus buildings. When asked about what their institutions could do to be more trans-inclusive, students’ number one recommendation was for more gender-inclusive campus restrooms.
In the absence of protections prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, trans people face harassment. In my research, a trans woman in college told me she was “reported to campus police by another student multiple times for using the ‘wrong bathroom.’ ” These experiences created an unwelcoming atmosphere and led her to avoid campus restrooms, creating emotional and physical discomfort.
With no evidence to support the rollback of protections, and ample evidence to suggest that these protections positively benefit our trans neighbors in Massachusetts, we must vote YES. A YES vote is rooted in logic and humanity. It ensures that Massachusetts remains a place that we can all live in without fear.
Abbie E. Goldberg
Professor of psychology, Clark University
Easthampton