A political committee supporting the state’s so-called Bathroom Bill in Massachusetts raised 17 times more money during the first eight months of 2018 than a committee trying to persuade voters to repeal it.
The Yes on 3 committee also has 35 times more cash on hand about two months before the general election in November, according to filings published Monday by the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
Freedom for All Massachusetts Inc., which is stumping for a yes vote to keep gender identity as among the protected classes in the state’s civil rights law concerning public accommodations, reported raising $1,837,392.98 between January 1 and September 2. The committee had $934,870.33 on hand as of September 2.
Keep Massachusetts Safe, the committee trying to repeal the Bathroom Bill, raised $106,378.35 during the same period. The committee had $26,379.68 on hand as of September 2.
Supporters of the law, which the state legislature passed in June 2016, say it protects basic rights of people who identify with a gender other than the one that corresponds to their biological sex. Supporters of repealing the law say it puts women and girls at risk because biological males who identify as women can use public bathrooms and locker rooms meant for females.
“The Yes on 3 campaign has made great progress in raising the necessary funds to ensure voters know the truth about Question 3 and know why it’s so important for Massachusetts to vote yes on November 6,” said Kasey Suffredini, co-chairman of Yes on 3 Campaign, in a written statement. “However, we also know we have more to raise and that we can not take our success for granted. Historically, anti-transgender activists wait as long as possible before last-minute funds are provided to pay for misleading TV ads meant to scare voters. We must be fully resourced to promote the truth about what this law really does until the very last votes are cast.”
The anti-Bathroom Bill committee released a statement Monday saying “local grassroots volunteer efforts” will “combat the big outside money that has been flowing into the Commonwealth” from Washington.
“We are so grateful for the army of volunteers who have come out to support our efforts to protect the safety of women, children and vulnerable minorities,” said Debby Dugan, chairman of Keep Massachusetts Safe, the No On 3 ballot question committee. “When our volunteers go out into the community and educate voters about the dangers of this law and how it is too broad and goes too far, we know common sense will win out in the Commonwealth. Many voters aren’t aware that the legislature put theirs and their loved ones’ safety at risk by voting to allow convicted sex offenders to enter women’s restrooms, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and showers.”
According to records filed with the state, the largest contributor to the pro-Bathroom Bill committee is Seth Klarman, chief executive officer of The Baupost Group LLP, a hedge fund in Boston. He donated $200,000.
Tied for second is the American Civil Liberties Union, which gave $100,000.
Well-known corporations are among the donors to the pro-Bathroom Bill committee, including:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Boston
$100,000
Mass. Mutual
Danvers
$50,000
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Portland, Maine
$25,000
Partners Healthcare
Boston
$25,000
National Grid
Waltham
$25,000
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation
Boston
$25,000
Ernst and Young LLP
Dallas, Texas
$25,000
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston
$5,000
Pro-homosexuality and pro-transgenderism advocacy groups are also among the major donors to the Massachusetts yes on 3 committee:
Human Rights Campaign
Washington D.C.
$100,000
Freedom for All Americans
Washington D.C.
$82,269.69
GLBTQ Advocates & Defenders
Boston
$25,000
Greater Boston PFLAG
Waltham
$25,000
Fenway Health
Boston
$10,000
No companies donated to the anti-Bathroom Bill committee during the first eight months this year. The biggest donations were from six individuals – one who gave $20,000 and five who gave $10,000.
Despite the cash disparity, a poll published June 14 by Suffolk University Political Research Center found a close race — Yes had only a 12-point lead over No — 49 to 37 percent (with 13 percent undecided).
Voters will decide Question 3 at the general election Tuesday, November 6.
