Transgender activists promote hate-crimes law expansion on eve of hearing

WickedLocal.com/Wellesley – By Sarah Birnbaum

Wellesley – A coalition of advocates for women and children today decried what they called “scare tactics” aimed at derailing a measure they see as a promotion of human rights for transgendered residents of Massachusetts.

The activists held a press conference on Beacon Hill to show their support for a transgender rights bill, a day before its first hearing. The bill (H 1728) would add “gender identity and expression” to the state’s existing non-discrimination and hate crime laws. State Rep. Alice Peisch, D-Wellesley, whose district includes Wellesley, co-sponsored the bill.