Democratic candidate for governor Don Berwick released his LGBT rights platform this week, outlining his commitment to social justice, equality and compassion. Berwick believes that there are no second class citizens, there should be no toleration for discrimination and that there should be no inconsistency in granting people their full benefits of citizenship.
“Massachusetts has led the nation in trying to assure that sexual orientation and gender identity are not used to divide us or hold people down,” said Berwick in a statement. “We have made hard-won progress in assuring the rights that matter to people.”
A pediatrician and healthcare executive for 30 years, Berwick opposes the right-wing assertion of solely the ‘traditional’ nuclear family. He believes that neither the gender identity or the sexual orientation of the parents has any effect on a child’s success or happiness but what matters is a loving and supportive home.
In his five-part plan, Berwick wants to guarantee that the state government is an ally in the fight for LGBT rights. He believes that no person should fear seeking services from the government out of fear that they will not be treated with dignity. Berwick will also make sure that all state agencies get training on the needs and circumstances of the LGBT community.
Berwick also wants to provide services and houses to unaccompanied youth.
“Studies have shown that 20-40 percent of unaccompanied homeless youth – up to 2,400 children and teens in Massachusetts – identify themselves as LGBT. They need protection and, in my Administration, they will get it,” said Berwick.
Berwick wants to invest in anti-bullying programs in schools and fight to maintain full funding for programs that provide support to victims of domestic violence. He also plans on adopting a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination against transgender individuals.
Massachusetts was the first state to allow same-sex parents to adopt and the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. Berwick oversaw the issuing of regulations that gave the same hospital visitation rights to same-sex couples that heterosexual couples have.
“But the work is unfinished,” said Berwick. “Until every person in our Commonwealth can go through life without fear of discrimination, intimidation, or persecution, the fight for LGBT rights continues.”
Image via DonBerwickForGovernor.com
