Massachusetts signs transgender bathroom bill into law

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a bill that gives transgender people the right to use public bathrooms according to their gender identity.

The new law, called "an Act relative to transgender anti-discrimination," states that owners of restaurants, resorts and other public places including locker rooms "shall grant all persons admission to, and the full enjoyment of, such place of public accommodation or portion thereof consistent with the person's gender identity."

The law will take effect on Oct. 1.

Defending his decision, Baker said no person in the state should be discriminated against based on their gender identity. The new law provides "additional protections" to transgender people, he explained.

Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz praised the new law, saying it is an important step for the state.

"Public accommodations are fundamental to equal rights in America," the senator said.

LGBT activists also hailed the decision. Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin said Baker has joined other Republicans who are speaking up for equal rights.

However, some people are criticizing the law. Andrew Beckwith from the Massachusetts Family Institute said the definition of "gender identity" specified in the bill is broad and can be abused even by sex offenders, who can freely access public bathrooms and locker rooms.

Beckwith also found it "disturbing" that through the law, parents who choose to protect their kids can be charged. And that's not all.

"Business owners could be fined or even jailed just for putting up a sign deemed offensive to transgender activists," Beckwith said, according to LifeSite News.

Beckwith emphasized that an individual's biological sex matters, and requiring females to share bathrooms and locker rooms with biological males is a "bad idea" regardless of the males' gender identity.

He also expressed disappointment in Baker for not delivering the promise he gave during the campaign by signing the bill into law.