By Emily Goetzler and Kimia Tabatabaei
Another step towards equality was made September 15 when Newton’s Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to include transgender citizens in its non-discrimination ordinances in areas like housing.
The ordinance states that nobody may be treated unfairly when renting or buying a house due to his or her sexual orientation. With a unanimous vote on including transgender individuals in the ordinance, citizens and board members alike were ecstatic to find out that a change in society is happening so quickly. Holly Ryan, Newton’s Human Rights Commissioner, who has been working on adding transgender people to the ordinance for almost 3 years remarked that the struggle for equality for transgendered people “the last civil rights struggle”, according to Wickedlocal.
According to The Newton Patch, Newton has been known for its influence in promoting equality.
According to Wickedlocal, Mayor Setti Warren believes that this new law just goes to show how committed Newton is to providing equal rights for all.
Mr. Parlin, the advisor of the Gay Straight Alliance at South, believes the passing of these laws is a step in the right direction.
“I think it sends a great message that no one should have to worry about housing, you know, the basic needs that humans have. Nobody should have to worry about being denied it or discriminated against it because of a difference. Any step that makes things more fair for [transgender people] is fantastic,” Parlin said.
Lindsay Caliga, the president of the GSA at South, believes the non-discrimination ordinance is a step in the right direction for transgender people across the nation.
“I think that adding transgender people under the fair housing ordinances is a step toward being a more inclusive community,” Caliga said. “However I also think that this passing of law is able to act as a role model for other communities as well as send the message that Newton will stand behind its very diverse community, making Newton one of Massachusetts’s top progressive thinking towns,”
