Backers rally around transgender bill

boston.com – By Peter Schworm

They recoiled as their quest for legal protections was derided as a “bathroom bill.’” They seethed as their cautious petition for expanded rights turned into the latest skirmish in the culture wars.

And many transgender individuals sighed in resignation when gubernatorial candidates Charles D. Baker and Timothy Cahill recently vowed to veto a legislative proposal that would extend nondiscrimination laws to transgender individuals. Some feared the controversy between the candidates and Governor Deval Patrick, who supports the legislation, might deal another setback to their movement.