<strong>Page</strong> <strong>10</strong> (Transgender Rights Bill, Continued from page 1) Equal Rights – will, as stated by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, “add Massachusetts to 13 other states, Washington D.C., and 132 counties and cities, including Boston, Cambridge, Northampton, and Amherst, that protect transgender people. This bill will make the protection of transgender people explicit, uniform, and visible to the general public. It will include gender identity and expression in the state’s non–discrimination statute and will amend existing hate crime laws to explicitly protect people targeted for violence and harassment.” In her letter of support, Sheriff Cabral definitively addressed the need for the bill’s passage. “I write to you in full support of H.502/S.764, An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights,” Sheriff Cabral stated. “Passage of this bill will create an atmosphere of tolerance and ensure equal treatment under law for everyone in the <strong>Common</strong>wealth.” “By clarifying the language in Massachusetts’ non–discrimination laws to include gender–expression and identity, H.502/S.764 creates a comprehensive reform of existing statutes to ensure that transgendered individuals receive equal protection under the law,” continued Sheriff Cabral. “While current legislation precludes discrimination based upon sexual orientation, such language is insufficient to address discrimination based upon transgender status, as the relevant issue is sexual identity, rather than orientation. Moreover, this bill will build upon the clarifications set forth by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in making the established MCAD protections explicit, uniform, and visible to the general public.” For more information about H.502/S.764, An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights, visit the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition at: www.masstpc.org. (CGI Visitors, Continued from page 4) “I had to honor my commitment,” Wornum explained. “I had to come back, I gave my word. I felt like it was important for me to be here and try to give back some of what I got from the program.” Amid the powerful applause from graduates, future participants, staff and attendees it appeared that the message was received and taken to heart. “I want to express my sincere thanks to the coordinators of education and vocational programming,” said one graduate who addressed the crowd. “You’ve given us the opportunity to learn something new and handed us the tools that can lead toward a purposeful, rewarding and richer life. Before today, the only thing my mother ever saw me complete was a prison sentence. To my fellow graduates, no matter where you are, you can make a personal vow to change. It’s never too late for a change.” To learn more about the <strong>Common</strong> <strong>Ground</strong> Institute or about the vast array of programs that the <strong>Suffolk</strong> <strong>County</strong> Sheriff’s <strong>Department</strong> makes available to inmates and detainees, visit: www.scsdma.org. Lt. Dan Ryan, EAP Coordinator, Phone: 617-328-0096 <strong>Page</strong>r: 617-579-1400 <strong>Common</strong> <strong>Ground</strong> SCSD Employee Assistance Program The peer support team is comprised of men and women, officers and civilians who volunteer to help their fellow employees in need of assistance. All calls are completely confidential. Peer Support On Call: HOC: 617-486-2757 Jail: 617-486-2275
Summer 2011 <strong>Page</strong> 11
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