Gov. Charlie Baker was shouted down by advocates of a transgender civil rights protection bill as he left the stage at an LGBT business event Wednesday night.
Baker's been coy for months on whether he'd support the bill if it comes to his desk to become law. He's often said that "the devil is in the details" and that he won't comment until the Legislature puts a final bill on his desk.
The bill as it stands would ban discrimination of transgender people from public accommodations like restaurants, transportation, locker rooms and bathrooms.
Since Baker has not signalled how he'll act on the proposal but has the power to veto it, the Legislature must whip up two thirds of its membership to override the governor's veto pen. Senate leadership is secure that they have the votes in that chamber, but finding 107 votes in the 160-member House on a controversial bill in an election year can be a difficult task. Conservative or moderate Democrats in challenging districts may get some heartburn from socially conservative constituents this election if those voters perceive lawmakers backing transgender rights over the privacy and safety worries of others.
In a statement last night, Baker's press secretary Lizzy Guyton said Baker "concluded his speech where he reiterated his belief that no one in Massachusetts should be discriminated against, praised attendees for their courage and urged the transgender community to continue to advocate for their beliefs."
Whether Baker concludes that the legislation does or does not provide relief from discrimination will depend on what legal language lawmakers put on his desk. DeLeo personally supports the bill, but it's unlikely the fastidious Speaker would allow a vote until he's sure he has enough members to make Baker's potential objection irrelevant.
