Massachusetts voters decided to continue a state law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in public accommodations — including women’s bathrooms and locker rooms.
Voters chose Yes by a large margin. The gap stood at more than two-to-one as of 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The No on 3 campaign conceded around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.
“We are deeply disappointed that the people of Massachusetts will continue to be forced to sacrifice their privacy and safety in the name of political correctness,” said Andrew Beckwith, legal analyst for Keep Massachusetts Safe, which advocated a No vote.
The Yes on 3 committee sent out a tweet interpreting the vote as an endorsement of transgenderism: “Winning this popular vote is irrefutable proof that public support for transgender people is growing, and tonight’s outcome will provide the necessary momentum to change the landscape on transgender rights everywhere.”
The Yes campaign raised more than 10 times as much money as the No campaign.
“It is such a shame that we were not able to get our common sense message out to all the voters. The Yes on 3 campaign had an overwhelming advantage in dollars and they used it to distract the electorate from what’s really at stake in this issue – safety and the rights of women,” said Debby Dugan, chairman of Keep Massachusetts Safe, in a written statement. “The penalties in this law are outrageous and this law just goes too far.”
Beckwith, who is also president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which advocates for Judaeo-Christian values on Beacon Hill, said pro-family advocates will switch gears on strategy in the wake of the ballot question defeat.
“Our commitment to defending the fundamental rights to privacy and safety, particularly for women and children, will not change,” Beckwith said in a written statement. “We will move forward, developing other strategies to protect the rights of those who are negatively affected by this law.”
