Joe Kennedy iII

Congressman Joe Kennedy III waving at a parade in 2012.

(Martin Grondin, Creative Commons)

SPRINGFIELD ‒ U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, visited Beacon Hill on Tuesday to call on state lawmakers to pass a bill protecting transgender people from discrimination in public spaces.

The congressman, who joined other top Democrats in testifying before the state Joint Committee on the Judiciary, said he believes extending such protections is critical, particularly as the Massachusetts congressional delegation fights to extend federal anti-discrimination protections to the LGBT community.

"We need our commonwealth at our backs," he said in written testimony.

Pointing to the leading role Massachusetts took on issues like health care and same-sex marriage, Kennedy said "we are known for pushing our country. So it means something when we don't."

Already, he said, 17 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to protect transgender individuals from discrimination in public accommodations.

"That Massachusetts' name is missing from that list does not go unnoticed," the congressman said.

Kennedy, who spoke as part of a panel focused on the parents and families of transgender individuals, urged lawmakers to do everything possible to ensure their children "live in a world that accepts and embraces whatever bright, strong, unique individuals they turn out to be."

"That's the world I want for my daughter. And that is all that the families sitting next to me today are asking for," he said. "The chance to raise their kids, to grow up, to grow old in a country that promises them the same decency and tolerance the rest of us may take for granted."

Attorney General Maura Healey and Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, also offered support for the legislation.

Arguing that nearly two-thirds of transgender people in the state report experiencing discrimination in an area of public accommodation, Rosenberg said "the time has come to afford transgender people and their families the protections to which they are entitled."

"We cannot use misunderstanding and discomfort of some as an excuse to justify legal discrimination in our commonwealth," he said in written testimony submitted to the committee. "Those are not the values that are enshrined in our constitution. It is the duty of our government to protect all its residents – especially those who are most vulnerable."

Massachusetts previously passed a law banning employment or housing discrimination based on a person's gender identity - a measure supporters contend doesn't cover public spaces or businesses. Opponents have argued that it would allow for "cross-gender bathroom usage" and could result in expensive discrimination claims.

Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters this week that he wants to see more details on the bill.