MA Gov. Patrick Issues Gender Identity Executive Order

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is a strong ally of
LGBT rights and was re-elected in November 2010

The Democratic Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick has issued an executive order banning discrimination in state government based on gender identity or gender expression.

The order expands the state’s current civil rights policy by forbidding state government and its contractors from discriminating on the basis of “gender identity or expression.’’ The state already forbids discrimination based on a host of other characteristics, including race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and religion. 

Patrick said he signed the order after being asked to do so by advocates. 

“It’s really this point about leading by example,’’ he said following an unrelated event late yesterday. “We have so much talent in this Commonwealth, and it resides in every single corner and in every single community, and we want to make as clear as possible that we welcome that talent and its contributions.’’

The order only covers only the public sector. There is a bill ending before the state legislature which would ban discrimination against transgender individuals in housing, employment, public accommodations and education. Gov. Patrick also supports that legislation.