Orrall: Protections are in place
Undecided on transgender bill repeal
State Rep. Keiko Orrall, a Republican vying to oust state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, appeared to distance herself from a vote against the Bay State’s transgender anti-discrimination law just as a push to repeal the headlinegrabbing protections goes before voters in November.
“I don’t want anyone to be discriminated against. I don’t want transgenders to be discriminated against, but I feel like the protections are already in place, and that we have, on our statutes we have things that would be protective of people and that we need better enforcement,” said Orrall, who has also risen through the ranks of the Massachusetts Republican Party with the strong backing of Gov. Charlie Baker.
The transgender protection law, signed by Baker in 2016, prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in public accommodations such as restrooms or locker rooms. Orrall voted against that legislation, and also voted for an amendment that would exempt schools from the anti-discrimination measure.
“In the Legislature I was against it because I didn’t want anyone to be discriminated against and I feel like the protections are already in place,” she said.
Orrall, who has been a vocal opponent of upcoming ballot questions that would increase the minimum wage and hike taxes, was unsure about the ballot question to repeal the transgender protections.
“I haven’t decided as to where I’m going to fall on the ballot question,” said Orrall, who became a national committeewoman for the Massachusetts GOP in 2016.
The battle to repeal transgender protections, led by Keep Massachusetts Safe, has already drawn national interest and deeppocketed opponents. Companies like Google and the Red Sox have funded opposition of the repeal.
If passed, Massachusetts might follow in the footsteps of North Carolina, where transgendered people must use public accommodations based on the gender they were assigned at birth.
Bay State Republicans have been politically tripped up by Beacon Hill attempts to extend transgender rights before. Gov. Baker was against the measure when he first ran for governor in 2010, but has since embraced the legislation.
Orrall said her record in the Legislature should speak for itself.
“I believe that anyone who knows me and who’s seen me work with folks in the Legislature know that I’m someone who doesn’t want anyone to be discriminated against, and that’s just where I fall on that,” she said.