A 16-year-old transgender girl in the USA has urged her state to keep an anti-discrimination law protecting transgender residents.
‘It’s saying to people, you can’t take rights away from me just because you don’t agree with who I am’ Nicole Talbot said of the law.
Massachusetts will be voting in November on whether to repeal a 2016 law which prohibits discrimination in areas of public access on the basis of gender identity.
It will be the third question on the ballot. So, a ‘Yes On 3’ campaign is encouraging residents to protect transgender rights when they go to the polls.
‘I am nervous that the laws will be taken away and that my protections will be taken away’ said Talbot.
She encouraged everyone to talk to people around them about the law. ‘Spread the word about this law and tell them to vote yes,’ she urged.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for trans people like 16-year-old Nicole, who is at risk of losing vital non-discrimination protections in Massachusetts. Vote #YesOn3 to uphold the dignity and respect for trans Bay Staters in November. #TransLawMA #MAPoli pic.twitter.com/F1rD2vzJ4J
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 8, 2018
Yes on 3
Opponents of the non-discrimination law, Senate Bill 2407, gathered enough signatures for a state-wide referendum.
The ballot will take place alongside upcoming midterm elections on 6 November.
A No vote would repeal the law, while a Yes vote would preserve it and continue protecting people who are not cisgender in Massachusetts.
One of the biggest myths surrounding bathroom laws is that sexual predators will take advantage of laws protecting trans people.
In fact, it’s trans people who face disproportionately high amounts of discrimination, harassment, and violence.