The approximately 33,000 transgender individuals living in Massachusetts are now protected under a new state law from being discriminated against when to comes to housing, education, employment and credit.

The law, which also provides additional civil rights and protections from hate crimes, went into effect last year but received a ceremonial signing by Gov. Deval Patrick this week.

'No individual should face discrimination because of who they are,' the governor said in a statement. 'This legislation gives Massachusetts the necessary tools to stop hate crimes against transgender people and to treat others fairly. I am proud to sign it.'

State Rep. Carl Sciortino Jr., a Medford Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said in a statement: 'The passage of this bill is going to make an immediate difference in the lives of the state’s transgender residents, who desperately need anti-discrimination protections in housing and employment. I have been so moved by the courage of constituents who’ve shared their stories with lawmakers and shown the critical need for these civil rights protections.'

Massachusetts is now the 16th state in the US to have a transgender equal rights law on the books. In 2004, it became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.