After the MA Senate passed its version of the Bathroom Bill two weeks ago with NO protections for parents or children, concerned citizens are gathering at the State House to make their voices heard in advance of a likely MA House vote on Wednesday. Massachusetts Family Institute will hold a press conference Tuesday asking legislators to protect privacy rights and oppose the bill.

Monday, May 23, 2016

WOBURN — Parents concerned about privacy and safety in public bathrooms and locker rooms will be holding a press conference tomorrow at 3 p.m. in front of the Grand Staircase of the State House. A national poll last week reported that a majority of Americans oppose bathroom policies similar to that in Senate Bill 735 and House Bill 4253.  The poll also showed that an even higher majority of parents with school aged children oppose cross-gender bathroom usage.

“Unfortunately, parents who voice their concern over legislation like this are routinely disparaged by the bill’s advocates,” said Andrew Beckwith, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI).

He recounts having heard from numerous mothers and fathers who are intimidated into silence about this issue by transgender activists and left-wing legislators who attempt to bully and shame people into conformity with their agenda.

“We will not be silenced,” Beckwith said. “We are coming to the statehouse with an even larger gathering of parents and children to speak up loudly for our rights to privacy and safety. We would be abdicating our roles as mothers and fathers if we did any less.”

Although advocates of the bill claim there have been no reports of bathroom or locker room related incidents in jurisdictions with similar bathroom laws, MFI has documented numerous examples of men violating the privacy of women in such circumstances at nobathroombill.com/examples.

Parents are particularly concerned because the Senate failed to exempt parents from the criminal penalties, including up to a year in jail, for anyone who attempts to prevent biological men from using women’s facilities.

Massachusetts Family Institute is a non-profit research, education and public policy organization dedicated to strengthening the institution of the family and affirming the Judeo-Christian values upon which the family is based.

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