State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Civil Rights
Heidi Wellman:
Comfortable with same-sex marriage
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
A: YES
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Massachusetts Senate candidate
Mar 7, 2018
Ayanna Pressley:
I support the cause & tactic of NFL players taking a knee
On the topic of the National Football League where players are taking a knee during the National Anthem to protest police brutality, there were some notable differences between Rep. Capuano and Councilor Pressley.While in support of the players'
right to protest, Capuano said "I personally think if you're going to raise an issue like that, you should do it in a way that's actually going to bring people in," adding that he thought that particular action "divided America."
Capuano, however, said he agreed with the concept of protest, which was started with former San Francisco 49ers player Colin Kaepernick.
Pressley said she supports both the cause and the tactic, adding "it is necessary that we are disruptive right now and making people feel uncomfortable."
Source: WGBH 89.7 FM Radio on 2018 Massachusetts 7th House race
Aug 15, 2018
Ben Downing:
Support anti-discrimination laws for transgender people
[On Transgender Rights]: "The Senate did the right thing today," said Senator Downing. "The work we did to guarantee transgender individuals protection from discrimination in terms of employment and housing two sessions ago was finally able to cross
the finish line by safeguarding the most basic rights of every person to exist as his or herself peacefully and inclusively within their own communities." This bill builds on the Transgender Equal Rights Bill, filed by Downing in 2011.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign site SenatorDowning.com
Oct 6, 2016
Ben Downing:
Include gender identity in public accommodation rules
Gov. Baker today signed compromise legislation, "An Act relative to transgender anti-discrimination" (S.2407), to extend protections against discrimination for gender identity to any place of public accommodation, with the Massachusetts Commission
Against Discrimination adopting regulations or policies to enforce its provisions."No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," said Gov. Baker. "This compromise legislation extends additional protections
to the Commonwealth's transgender community, and includes language to address the public safety concerns to protect against people abusing the law."
"[This] compromise proposal that assures additional protections from discrimination based on gender
identity and addressed issues of public safety that have been raised by some," said Lt. Gov. Polito [in a joint press release with Baker].
Legislative Outcome: S.735 [bill on gender identity prior to compromise bill]: passed House 116-36-
Source: Massachusetts voting records: S.735 & S. 2407
Jul 8, 2016
Beth Lindstrom:
Supports state law legalizing same sex marriage
Beth Lindstrom, who was Scott Brown's former campaign manager during his upset 2010 special election victory, appears to be running in third place in the Republican primary.
She also has stated that she "supports the law from 2004 to legalize same-sex marriage in the state".
Source: DailyKos.com on 2018 Massachusetts Senate race
Jan 28, 2018
Brian Herr:
Supports gay marriage as an issue of equal rights
Like many Republicans in Massachusetts,
Herr is a fiscal conservative who is liberal on social issues. He supports abortion rights, and he supports gay marriage as an issue of equal rights.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2014 Massachusetts Senate race
Jan 30, 2014
Bruce Skarin:
I am not just a supporter, but an advocate for gay rights
There are many politicians that have come to support gay rights in recent years, but in most cases "support" is a nebulous concept that is more often used as political cover from both sides of a heated debate. In other words, there is a stark difference
between being a supporter of gay rights and being an advocate for gay rights.I am not just a supporter, but an advocate for the estimated 9 million Americans suffering through the final major civil rights battle our country will ever face.
I expect fights for complete equality will continue as they do for gender and racial equality today, but it is time to end this last battle to end legal discrimination. Since the founding of our country, generations past have been on
the wrong side of equal rights. We were once wrong on slavery, women's suffrage, racial discrimination, and we are now on the wrong side of history for LGBT rights.
Source: Bruce Skarin on IVN.us blog: 2014 Massachusetts Senate race
Feb 21, 2014
Charlie Baker:
Running-mate supports existing law on gay marriage
Social conservative activists are threatening to walk away from Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker after his running mate, former state representative Karyn Polito, reversed her position this week, endorsing gay marriage. The Baker
campaign, looking to placate social conservatives, said that Polito considers same sex unions to be accepted law. But the campaign would not make Polito available to be interviewed about her position."Karyn supported civil unions at a time when most
Republicans did not,'' said Baker's campaign spokesman. "Like many, including President Obama, Karyn's position has evolved, and she now supports the existing law and will not work to undo the progress achieved over the last decade."
Baker has struggled to appease social conservatives before. During his 2010 campaign, he faced controversy after choosing Senate minority leader Richard Tisei--a gay, Republican who supports abortion rights--as his running mate.
Source: Boston Globe on 2014 Massachusetts Governor's race
Dec 6, 2013
Charlie Baker:
Include gender identity in public accommodation rules
Governor Charlie Baker today signed compromise legislation, An Act relative to transgender anti-discrimination (S. 2407), to extend protections against discrimination for gender identity to any place of public accommodation, with the Massachusetts
Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) adopting regulations or policies to enforce its provisions."No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," said Governor Baker. "This compromise legislation extends
additional protections to the Commonwealth's transgender community, and includes language to address the public safety concerns expressed by some by requiring the Attorney General to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law."
"[This] compromise proposal that assures additional protections from discrimination based on gender identity and provides for guidance from the Attorney General to address issues of public safety that have been raised by some," said Lt. Governor Polito.
Source: Massachusetts voting records: S.735 & S. 2407
Jul 8, 2016
Danielle Allen:
State has taken too long where leadership is open to all
Allen is the first Black woman to run for Massachusetts governor as part of a major party. And, if elected, she would be the first Black woman governor in the nation. "I appreciate the weight and importance of this moment but there's also some
pain that in the state that was first to abolish enslavement, almost 250 years ago, it has taken this long to reach a place where leadership is open to all," she wrote.
Source: Harvard Crimson on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Jun 15, 2021
Deval Patrick:
Close the racial and ethnic gap in health
Evidence shows that disparities remain in the delivery of health services based on race and ethnic origin. This is unacceptable in Massachusetts. I will implement recommendations developed by public health experts to end inequities in care.
Under my leadership, Massachusetts will be the first state to close the racial and ethnic gap in health.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.12
Sep 15, 2005
Geoff Diehl:
Voted NO on protections by gender identity
Press release from Governor's Office:: Governor Charlie Baker today signed compromise legislation, An Act relative to transgender anti-discrimination (S. 2407), to extend protections against discrimination for gender identity to any place
of public accommodation. "No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," said Governor Baker. "This compromise legislation extends additional protections to the
Commonwealth's transgender community."Legislative Summary:S.735 amends MGL anti-discrimination laws to include the word "gender identity" for public accommodations.
Legislative Outcome:S.735 [bill on gender identity prior to compromise bill]: Geoff Diehl voted Nay; passed House 116-36-8 on June 1; passed Senate 33-4-1 on May 12; S.2407 signed by Governor, July 8.
Source: Massachusetts voting records: S.735 & S. 2407
May 12, 2016
Geoff Diehl:
Supports gay GOP candidate criticized by committee member
Massachusetts Republican State Committee member Deborah Martell wrote in an email that she was "sickened" that a Republican Congressional candidate who is married to a man had adopted kids. Gov. Baker and others called for her to resign from the
panel. "First of all, I totally side with the candidate, very nice guy, lovely family, absolutely support his run for Congress," Diehl said. "Secondly, I think the state committeewoman who made the comments was wrong in what she said."
Source: WGBH NPR-Boston on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Jul 7, 2021
Jay Gonzalez:
Continue Massachusetts leadership like on marriage equality
Jay Gonzalez pledged to lead the Commonwealth with bold vision and concrete action that will make Massachusetts a leader once again. "From the American Revolution to marriage equality, Massachusetts has always been at the forefront of our country's
biggest issues," said Gonzalez. "President Trump threatens our values and threatens to take us backward. Now more than ever, we need a Governor who is going to stand up and fight for our values and fight to move us forward. I'll be that Governor."
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Governor campaign website jay4ma.com
Mar 11, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
Hate and discrimination based on sexual orientation isn't OK
Q: Why are you running for governor?A: I'm running because I think we need to be aiming much higher than we currently we are. One of the things I love about us, as Americans and Massachusetts people in particular, is that we've always believed that
we can overcome big challenges. That sense of optimism and entrepreneurialism and that willingness to work together to make progress. It's who we are. I think, my view of what the governor should be doing--and government--is taking on the big challenges
that are holding people back and try to make real progress on them. That's the type of governor I want to be. I also want to be the kind of governor that's making progress and standing up for every person across this state.
Making sure it's clear that hate and discrimination aren't OK. And as governor, I'll be fighting for everyone--no matter what color they are or what their sexual orientation is, or whether they're from Marshfield or Springfield.
Source: Wicked Local Marshfield on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Apr 21, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
Equal rights for women in workplace
Women must be full and equal participants in our economy with equal career opportunities, equal pay, and workplaces free from discrimination and harassment. Women who work hard every day should earn enough
and have the additional support they need to provide for themselves and for their families. Women should be represented in leadership positions in business throughout our economy to ensure their full and fair participation at every level.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Gubernatorial website Jay4MA.com
Sep 15, 2017
Jesse Gordon:
Address disproportionate minority arrests & drug problems
Q: African-Americans and Latinos are twice as likely to be arrested and almost four times as likely to experience the use of force during encounters with the police. They also comprise well over half of all prisoners, even though African-Americans and
Latinos make up approximately one quarter of the total US population. We must change this by demilitarizing our police forces, ban for-profit prisons, turn back from the
War on Drugs, eliminate mandatory minimums, and increase investment in programs that help individuals recover from substance abuse and mental health problems. A: Agree.
Candidate's position on this issue: I support each of those policies individually, or as part of a systemic change. I suggest to ORMA that these topics be separated because these issues are too important for this collective summary.
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Jul 31, 2017
Jesse Gordon:
Shouldn't be legal to deny housing for being transgendered
Q: The United States has made remarkable progress on gay rights in a relatively short amount of time. But there is still much work to be done. In many states, it is still legal to fire someone for being gay. It is legal to deny someone housing for
being transgender. That is unacceptable and must change. We must end discrimination in all forms. A: Agree.
Candidate's position on this issue: I support each of those policies individually, or as part of a systemic change.
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Jul 31, 2017
Jesse Gordon:
For Native Americans, replace paternalism with support
Q: The U.S. must not just honor Native American treaty rights, it must also move away from a relationship of paternalism and control, and toward one of deference and support. That means supporting tribal sovereignty, honoring the treaties and federal
statutes, improving housing and education, as well as by protecting sacred places and Native American cultures.A: Agree.
Candidate's position on this issue: I support each of those policies individually, or as part of a systemic change.
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Jul 31, 2017
Joe Kennedy III:
Kennedy leads task force for transgender equality
Joe Kennedy III was introduced as the leader of a task force devoted to protecting the transgender community.Kennedy's appointment comes after President Trump's administration rescinded protections that allowed transgender public school students to
use the restroom.
"I was disheartened and that was one of the first actions of the attorney general and this administration. It shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the challenges many students of the transgender community face."
Source: The Metrowest Daily News on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race
Mar 2, 2017
John Kingston:
Most diverse group to ever attend a political kick-off
Kingston spent a chunk of his speech focusing on diversity. "We're joined here by perhaps the most diverse group to ever attend a political kick-off," Kingston said at one point, naming Democrats, independents, and Republicans and ticking off a list
of racial backgrounds of those in attendance. "And people representing all faiths or no faith at all. You see--It's in my DNA to bring people together. It's what I've done my entire adult life."Kingston's six-minute kickoff video begins with photos
showing his working-class upbringing and his family of four children. The video also focuses on Kingston's multicultural experience.
Others who spoke ahead of Kingston included the Reverend Ray Hammond, pastor of Jamaica Plain's Bethel A.M.E.
Church. Kingston in a campaign video is seen recalling his time as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, where he joined the local chapter of Martin Luther King Jr.'s fraternity and was the first white student to join the gospel choir.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial campaign site JohnKingston.com
Mar 31, 2018
Karyn Polito:
Voted YES on defining marriage as one man and one woman
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part I: Families & Children:Domestic Partnership. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted YES].Vote on a proposed Constitutional amendment: "It being the public policy of the
Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts. This article is self-executing, but the General Court may enact laws... establishing civil
unions."
Relevant platform section:Part I: Families & Children: Domestic Partnership: "We oppose actions that would define marriage solely as a relationship between a man and a woman, and that would ban the recognition of any other relationship as
marriage or its legal equivalent. We oppose efforts that would ban the provision of any benefits to gay and lesbian families that are now granted exclusively to married couples."
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 522
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Feb 11, 2004
Karyn Polito:
Supported $900K for disability & mentoring aid
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's reduction of a Budget Line Item which cut: $99,000 for Special
Olympics Massachusetts; $304,000 for Work, Inc. and $500,000 for Best Buddies Massachusetts [two programs for job training of people with disabilities].
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care,
and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 254
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Karyn Polito:
Opposed "Turning 22" mental disability program
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Mental Health. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated state funding for the "Turning
22" program, which provides residential and treatment services for severely disabled individuals (who are mandated to exit other state programs after age 21). "Turning 22" is designed to allow a person to remain where his or her family lives.
Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Mental Health: "Our
Party supports the full implementation of mental health policies which will provide emergence care, family support, and appropriate housing to our citizens with chronic mental health disorders."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 253
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Karyn Polito:
Protections by gender identity for public safety
Governor Charlie Baker today signed compromise legislation, An Act relative to transgender anti-discrimination (S. 2407), to extend protections against discrimination for gender identity to any place of public accommodation, with the Massachusetts
Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) adopting regulations or policies to enforce its provisions."No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," said Governor Baker. "This compromise legislation
extends additional protections to the Commonwealth's transgender community."
"We thank the Legislature for sending us a compromise proposal that assures additional protections from discrimination based on gender identity to Massachusetts'
transgender community and provides for guidance from the Attorney General to address issues of public safety that have been raised by some," said Lt. Governor Polito.
Source: Massachusetts voting records: S.735 & S. 2407
Jul 8, 2016
Kevin O`Connor:
I don't know what systemic racism means, but racism exists
Asked whether he agreed with Trump that there is not systemic racism in the criminal justice system, O'Connor said, "I don't know what systemic racism means," but noted there's "certainly racism in
America" and in the criminal justice system, and touted his stint as the "first diversity and inclusion coordinator of what was then the largest law firm in Boston 20 years ago."
Source: The Boston Herald on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 5, 2020
Kevin O`Connor:
Racial justice: enforce the lawl problem isn't the police
O'Connor painted Markey as someone who wants to "defund police". O'Connor's answer to resolving racial justice issues is to "enforce the law." He noted that he was the "first diversity and inclusion coordinator of what was then the largest law firm in
Boston 20 years ago." O'Connor said cops were not to be blamed, arguing the focus should be on Markey's "failed record in terms of social programs and failed inner city schools."
Source: Springfield Republican on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 5, 2020
Lori Trahan:
Close the pay gap: give women equal pay for equal work
Work to close the pay gap. It's no secret, women earn less than men across our economy--especially women of color.
By placing an emphasis on pay transparency and preventing employers from asking prospective hires about their salary histories, we can help ensure that women are compensated equally for their work.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts 3rd House campaign website LoriTrahan.com
Oct 9, 2018
Marty Walsh:
Opposed $900K for disability & mentoring aid
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities. [State Rep. Walsh voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's reduction of a Budget Line Item which cut: $99,000 for Special
Olympics Massachusetts; $304,000 for Work, Inc. and $500,000 for Best Buddies Massachusetts [two programs for job training of people with disabilities].
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care,
and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 254
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Marty Walsh:
Voted NO on defining marriage as one man and one woman
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part I: Families & Children:Domestic Partnership. [State Rep. Walsh voted NO].Vote on a proposed Constitutional amendment: "It being the public policy of the
Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts. This article is self-executing, but the General Court may enact laws... establishing civil
unions."
Relevant platform section:Part I: Families & Children: Domestic Partnership: "We oppose actions that would define marriage solely as a relationship between a man and a woman, and that would ban the recognition of any other relationship as
marriage or its legal equivalent. We oppose efforts that would ban the provision of any benefits to gay and lesbian families that are now granted exclusively to married couples."
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 522
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Feb 11, 2004
Marty Walsh:
Opposed $200K reduction to blind job program
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which reduced by $200,000 the funding
for the Ferguson Industries for the Blind, which employs blind individuals as well as providing them an opportunity for socialization and a chance to mingle with peers, learn daily living skills and gain a feeling of independence.
Relevant platform
section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We reaffirm our support for The Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability, and for efforts to bring the
Commonwealth into full ADA compliance. We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care, and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 25
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Marty Walsh:
Supported "Turning 22" mental disability program
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Mental Health. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated state funding for the "Turning
22" program, which provides residential and treatment services for severely disabled individuals (who are mandated to exit other state programs after age 21). "Turning 22" is designed to allow a person to remain where his or her family lives.
Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Mental Health: "Our
Party supports the full implementation of mental health policies which will provide emergence care, family support, and appropriate housing to our citizens with chronic mental health disorders."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 253
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Maura Healey:
We put an equity lens on everything that we do
One thing I'm most proud of as attorney general is we put an equity lens on everything that we do.
Everything that runs through the office--whether it's consumer work, financial services or the environment, health care--everything is looked at through an equity lens.
Source: WBUR (NPR Radio) on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Feb 3, 2022
Maura Healey:
Was lead counsel challenging Defense of Marriage Act
Healey served as the lead counsel in Massachusetts v. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. In that case, the commonwealth challenged the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which limited marriage to one man and one woman and
was signed into law in 1996. Healey argued that by denying benefits like Social Security to same-sex couples who'd been legally marrying in Massachusetts since 2004, the federal government was encroaching on state authority.
Source: WGBH (NPR Radio) on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Feb 3, 2022
Maura Healey:
The first openly gay state attorney general in U.S. history
Back in 2014, when she first ran, her primary opponent, Warren Tolman, was a former state legislator and one-time gubernatorial candidate who enjoyed strong support from the Democratic establishment. Healey crushed Tolman, 62% to
38%, buoyed by aggressive retail campaigning [and] enthusiastic support from LGBTQ voters. In the general election, Healey routed Republican John Miller by the exact same margin, becoming the first openly gay state attorney general in U.S. history.
Source: WGBH (NPR Radio) on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Feb 3, 2022
Maura Healey:
Include health equity as part of Health Care Cost Trends
Maura is focused on addressing the affordability crisis and promoting health equity, while maintaining the highest quality of care. Last year, her office released a robustÿreportÿon racial inequity in health
with recommendations in key areas to move toward racial justice in health care. As Governor, Maura will build on that vision to ensure we have a system that serves every community. This includes:-
Requiring health care providers and insurance carriers to improve the collection and reporting of patient race, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics.
- Including health equity as part of the state's Annual Health Care
Cost Trends Hearing to measure the state's progress towards identified equity benchmarks.
- Ensuring that anti-racist, cultural humility, and implicit bias training is required of all licensed providers.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com
Jun 7, 2022
Maura Healey:
End the ban on LGBTQ+ blood donations
- Banning the LGBTQ+ panic defense, which is a legal strategy that allows a defendant to claim a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity/expression is to blame for their crime.
- Streamlining the process of co-parent adoption.
-
Supporting comprehensive, LGBTQ-inclusive, consent-focused, and medically accurate sex education.
- Ending the ban on LGBTQ+ blood donations.
- Advocating for passage of the Equality Act at the federal level.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com
Jun 7, 2022
Michael Capuano:
NFL players taking a knee is divisive, but I support protest
On the topic of the National Football League where players are taking a knee during the National Anthem to protest police brutality, there were some notable differences between Rep. Capuano and Councilor Pressley.While in support of the players'
right to protest, Capuano said "I personally think if you're going to raise an issue like that, you should do it in a way that's actually going to bring people in," adding that he thought that particular action "divided America."
Capuano, however, said he agreed with the concept of protest, which was started with former San Francisco 49ers player Colin Kaepernick.
Pressley said she supports both the cause and the tactic, adding "it is necessary that we are disruptive right now and making people feel uncomfortable."
Source: WGBH 89.7 FM Radio on 2018 Massachusetts 7th House race
Aug 15, 2018
Richard Tisei:
Voted NO on defining marriage as one man and one woman
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part I: Families & Children:Domestic Partnership. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted NO].Vote on a proposed Constitutional amendment: "It being the public policy of the
Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts. This article is self-executing, but the General Court may enact laws... establishing civil
unions."
Relevant platform section:Part I: Families & Children: Domestic Partnership: "We oppose actions that would define marriage solely as a relationship between a man and a woman, and that would ban the recognition of any other relationship as
marriage or its legal equivalent. We oppose efforts that would ban the provision of any benefits to gay and lesbian families that are now granted exclusively to married couples."
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 522
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Feb 11, 2004
Richard Tisei:
Opposed $200K reduction to blind job program
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which reduced by $200,000 the fundi
for the Ferguson Industries for the Blind, which employs blind individuals as well as providing them an opportunity for socialization and a chance to mingle with peers, learn daily living skills and gain a feeling of independence.
Relevant platform
section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We reaffirm our support for The Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability, and for efforts to bring the
Commonwealth into full ADA compliance. We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care, and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 25
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2003
Richard Tisei:
Supported $900K for disability & mentoring aid
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's reduction of a Budget Line Item which cut: $99,000 for Special
Olympics Massachusetts; $304,000 for Work, Inc. and $500,000 for Best Buddies Massachusetts [two programs for job training of people with disabilities].
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care,
and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 254
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2003
Richard Tisei:
Opposed "Turning 22" mental disability program
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Mental Health. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated state funding for the "Turning
22" program, which provides residential and treatment services for severely disabled individuals (who are mandated to exit other state programs after age 21). "Turning 22" is designed to allow a person to remain where his or her family lives.
Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Mental Health: "Our
Party supports the full implementation of mental health policies which will provide emergence care, family support, and appropriate housing to our citizens with chronic mental health disorders."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 253
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Scott Brown:
Voted YES on defining marriage as one man and one woman
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part I: Families & Children:Domestic Partnership. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted YES].Vote on a proposed Constitutional amendment: "It being the public policy of the
Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts. This article is self-executing, but the General Court may enact laws... establishing civil
unions."
Relevant platform section:Part I: Families & Children: Domestic Partnership: "We oppose actions that would define marriage solely as a relationship between a man and a woman, and that would ban the recognition of any other relationship as
marriage or its legal equivalent. We oppose efforts that would ban the provision of any benefits to gay and lesbian families that are now granted exclusively to married couples."
Source citation: Constitutional Amendment ; vote number 522
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Feb 11, 2004
Scott Brown:
Supported $200K reduction to blind job program
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which reduced by $200,000 the funding
for the Ferguson Industries for the Blind, which employs blind individuals as well as providing them an opportunity for socialization and a chance to mingle with peers, learn daily living skills and gain a feeling of independence.
Relevant platform
section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We reaffirm our support for The Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability, and for efforts to bring the
Commonwealth into full ADA compliance. We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care, and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 251
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Scott Brown:
Supported $900K for disability & mentoring aid
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part I: Families & Children:Persons with Disabilities. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's reduction of a Budget Line Item which cut: $99,000 for Special
Olympics Massachusetts; $304,000 for Work, Inc. and $500,000 for Best Buddies Massachusetts [two programs for job training of people with disabilities].
Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: Persons with Disabilities: "We believe state assistance should be made more readily available for community-based care,
and should not be inappropriately biased toward institutional settings."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 254
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Scott Brown:
Opposed "Turning 22" mental disability program
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part III: Health Care:Mental Health. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated state funding for the "Turning
22" program, which provides residential and treatment services for severely disabled individuals (who are mandated to exit other state programs after age 21). "Turning 22" is designed to allow a person to remain where his or her family lives.
Relevant platform section: PART III: HEALTH CARE, ACCESS & CHOICE: Mental Health: "Our
Party supports the full implementation of mental health policies which will provide emergence care, family support, and appropriate housing to our citizens with chronic mental health disorders."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 253
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Setti Warren:
Transgender military ban makes us less safe
As a third-generation combat veteran, I know that the enemy's bullets and bombs don't care about our differences, and when it comes to defending our people and principles, neither should we. President Trump's attempt to ban transgender
Americans from military service will ultimately make our nation less safe by dissuading brave and qualified people from serving in our armed forces. I stand with my transgender brothers and sisters in uniform, today and always.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Gubernatorial website SettiWarren.com
Aug 31, 2017
Setti Warren:
Make Newton a more hospitable climate for African Americans
On what he learned after having rocks thrown at him as a child in Newton: "One of the things that came out of that incident is that my dad had contacted the mayor--he didn't know the Mayor at all. They ended up working together on making
Newton a more hospitable climate for African Americans. One of the stories my parents shared with me before he passed away back in 2010 was what we can do together, how we can actually turn an incident like that around."
Source: WBUR.org on 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Jun 12, 2017
Setti Warren:
Appointed first transgender member of Newton government
Support for Transgender Rights and Opposition to the Ballot Question to repeal: - From Mass Equality In 2012, Appointment of first transgender member of Newton Human Rights Commission: "I think it's historic in
Newton and Massachusetts and across the country," said Kara Suffredini. "There are just not very many openly transgender leaders in any kind of city or state-wide or national office."
- v
My OpEd in MassLive in support of transgender American service in our armed forces; "I am a third generation combat veteran and I can tell you that when it comes to
defending our people and our principles, the enemies' bombs and bullets don't care about the differences between us. Neither should we."
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Dec 20, 2017
Shannon Liss-Riordan:
Won job discrimination case affecting police, firefighters
Fighting systemic discrimination is also a big part of the candidate's work. She referenced a case that she won in the late 2000s, Bradley vs. the City of Lynn, that addressed discrimination against police officers and firefighters of color. "The
state relied on this really outdated exam that had a disparate impact on minorities and I won that case in federal court as a result Black and brown firefighters and police officers got hired across Massachusetts," Liss-Riordan said.
Source: iBerkshires.com on 2022 Massachusetts A.G. race
Aug 29, 2022
Shiva Ayyadurai:
Only a real Indian can defeat a fake Indian
Shiva Ayyadurai, an Indian-American scientist whose campaign features the slogan "Only a real Indian can defeat a fake Indian"--a jab at the controversy surrounding Warren's decision to check off a minority box marked for
Native Americans when she successfully applied for a teaching position at Harvard Law School decades ago--is threatening to sue Walsh and the city over their handling of August's event, should Walsh decline to issue a full apology.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senate campaign website shiva4senate.com
Nov 14, 2017
Shiva Ayyadurai:
It's about free speech, not against Black Lives Matter
Shiva Ayyadurai, who delivered the keynote address at August's "Free Speech Rally" where police restricted access on Boston Common as protesters numbered in the thousands, is demanding an apology from Mayor Marty Walsh, and threatens to sue if not.
The August 19 event, held at the Common's Parkman Bandstand, ended prematurely ahead of the arrival of thousands of marchers organized by Black Lives Matter. Police in anticipation of the rally ringed the bandstand with a series of barriers, preventing
rally-goers from moving within less than a football field's length from where speakers assembled. Ayyadurai demands an acknowledgment that Walsh was "wrong in mischaracterizing the approximately 40 people in the Parkman Bandstand as a hate group and
as sympathetic to white supremacy."
Ayyadurai is also demanding Walsh "acknowledge the sincerity of the group's commitment to free speech." Ayyadurai himself at one point, according to video he has from the event, declared "black lives do matter."
Source: New Boston Post on 2018 Massachusetts Senate race
Nov 10, 2017
Shiva Ayyadurai:
Affirmative action hasn't helped most blacks
Affirmative action was a gain from people fighting on the streets, but what resulted was not the liberation of large numbers of minorities. It created a pencil thin strata of minority bourgeoisie, and that bourgeoisie frankly became Uncle Toms.
They didn't advance the cause of African Americans; they really wanted to keep their own people on the plantations.
That's why people were so hopeful for Obama, but what really happened was more segregation, more separation between blacks and whites. The average situation of a black male today is worse than before Civil Rights, on many, many levels.
Affirmative action was a bone that they threw to quell the mass protests. The right solution is to enable people to unleash their own creativity and their own innovation.
Source: Merion West interview on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race
Jul 24, 2017
Shiva Ayyadurai:
Arizona data showed Biden win was statistically impossible
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani urged the Republican legislators to get to the bottom of the fraud, asserting that "You also had numerous situations of your workers, your citizens, observing the poll officials helping people vote to the point of telling
them who to vote for. "Poll workers being observed changing votes, taking ambiguous votes and making sure they were cast for Biden," Giuliani said.
Also at the hearing, Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai, the famed scientist and engineer with various MIT degrees, presented data showing that the only way for Biden to have statistically caught up with President Trump in Arizona was if Democrat votes came in at
130 percent for Biden and -30 percent for the president.
[In Arizona, Joe Biden received 1,672,143 votes (49.4%), to Donald Trump's 1,661,686 votes (49.1%), and the Libertarian Party's Jo Jorgensen receiving 51,465 votes (1.5%) - ed.]
Source: The New American magazine on 2020 Massachusetts Senate race
Dec 1, 2020
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
Include gender identity in public accommodation rules
Gov. Baker today signed compromise legislation, An Act relative to transgender anti-discrimination (S.2407), to extend protections against discrimination for gender identity to any place of public accommodation, with the Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination adopting regulations or policies to enforce its provisions."No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," said Gov. Baker. "This compromise legislation extends additional protections to the
Commonwealth's transgender community, and includes language to address the public safety concerns expressed by some by requiring regulations to protect against people abusing the law."
"[This] compromise proposal that assures additional protections
from discrimination based on gender identity and provides for guidance from the Attorney General to address issues of public safety that have been raised by some," said Lt. Gov. Polito.
Sen. Chang-Diaz was the lead sponsor of the bill and voted YES.
Source: Massachusetts voting records: S.735 & S. 2407
Jul 8, 2016
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
Social equity loans for those impacted by cannabis arrests
Cannabis regulators asked the Legislature to consider a loan for people disproportionately impacted by cannabis arrests. Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, who has served on the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, said she will continue to push for social equity
loans. "I'm also hopeful that the heightened level of attention that the commonwealth as a whole, and the Legislature, has on issues of racial justice and racial equity will hopefully lift up that legislation even more in the coming term," she said.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2022 Massachusetts Governor race
Aug 3, 2021
Steve Grossman:
Embrace marriage equality in the Democratic Party platform
Four former chairs of the Democratic National Committee called on the party to embrace marriage equality in the 2012 Democratic platform. "We are proud that the Democratic Party fights for working families, economic justice, and equal opportunity for
all," said Howard Dean, Donald Fowler, Steve Grossman and David Wilhelm in a joint statement. "Times change but our principles must always remain strong. That is why, as former chairs of the Democratic National Committee, we stand with Freedom to Marry,
22 Democratic senators, Leader Nancy Pelosi, and more than 35,000 Americans in urging the Party to include a freedom to marry plank in the platform that is ratified at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this September."
If a plank is adopted, it would be the first time the party's platform has embraced marriage equality. The Democratic platform will be ratified at the national convention, which begins Sept. 3 in Charlotte, N.C.
Source: Huffington Post on 2014 Massachusetts Governor's race
Apr 4, 2012
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023