In Sunday's paper:

The Boston Globe editorial board called out "irrational objections" to a Massachusetts bill that would provide non-discrimination protections for transgender people, debunking the right-wing myth that these protections would endanger women and children.

--Media Matters

The bill is H1577/S735. Speaker Robert deLeo is polling members of the House to see if the bill has enough support to override a potential veto by Gov. Charlie Baker.

What I’m starting to do is to do polling and see where the members stand, but I also have to be concerned that the governor’s going to veto it: Do we have enough to override the veto? So that’s the quandary. Although the governor hasn’t said one way or the other, I have to be prepared in case he does it.

--deLeo

Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, an Amherst Democrat, also supports the measure, which has faced opposition from some who worry about the privacy of others using sex-segregated facilities. The bill would also ban discrimination against transgender people from other public accommodations, such as restaurants.

Opponents of the bill have centered the debate on the anti-LGBT myth that protections for transgender people will allow sexual predators to pretend to be transgender so they can sneak into bathrooms and commit sexual assault.

But no such incident has been recorded in any of the 18 other states and 200 communities nationwide where similar protections have been enacted. Research has shown that the true danger is to transgender individuals, who are more likely to face discrimination, which could lead to physical and mental health issues. In fact, Attorney General Maura Healey said her office received seven complaints last year from transgender people who have faced discrimination in public places.

Despite soaring support (the majority of the state's congressional delegation, nearly 200 businesses and organizations, and the local professional sports teams), irrational objections to the measure remain. Critics have concerns about women and children. Republican Representative Marc Lombardo called the bill "a recipe for disaster," and told the State House News Service he's afraid high school boys could suddenly say they're transgender only in order to gain access to the girls' locker room.

Boys and men just do not ever pretend to be transgender women to invade restrooms or locker rooms. They generally view being thought to be a transgender woman as the ultimate in degradation.

Everyone deserves the right to use public bathrooms with impunity. This would seem obvious, but if you are a transgender person, access to public spaces -- including bathrooms and locker rooms -- is not a given. A bill to protect the rights of transgender individuals to public spaces has hit headwinds in the Legislature, where it sits in committee, so far a victim of unwarranted fears, and a lack of support from Governor Charlie Baker.

The bill would ban discrimination against transgender people in parks, restaurants, libraries, and other public accommodations. It also affirms their right to use public restrooms, dressing rooms, and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. It follows the successful passage of a 2011 law that prevents transgender discrimination in the workplace, housing, and public education. Under current law, an employer can not discriminate against a transgender person in hiring, but that same establishment could deny service, or access to a bathroom.

--Globe

Rep. Denise Provost, a Somerville Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, encouraged women lawyers gathered at a Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts event on Wednesday to counter the arguments against the legislation.

Some of the reason that this bill seems to be stuck and not moving forward the way we would expect, with a favorable report out of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, and that reason, allegedly is us. This building is filled with staunchly chivalrous people who insist that this bill would endanger women and children.

Who can demolish this argument, if not us?

--Rep. Provost

The House has 123 Democrats, including one who is resigning this month, and 34 Republicans, with three special elections to be decided March 1, and a fourth on May 10. Democrats hold 33 Senate seats, Republicans hold five and two special elections are set for May 10.