Joanne Powell Remarks
Press Conference - Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Great Hall, State House - Boston, MA

My name is Joanne Powell, and I'm a representative of the Coalition for Marriage and Family.

More than one hundred citizens took time out of work and away from their commitments to be here today to oppose House Bill 1728. They will be visiting with their legislators today, as well as members of the Judiciary committee to deliver over 5,000 letters collected from citizens around Massachusetts who are gravely concerned about the consequences of this bill.

There is no doubt that the intent and the legal outcome of this bill is to open public restrooms, locker rooms, showers, health clubs and school facilities to anyone of either sex. This takes away the basic privacy critically important to women, children, and I daresay men, in public facilities.

It fundamentally changes they way every citizen will access a rest room or locker room. And it will no doubt cause many people, especially women and children, to opt not to use public facilities out of fear-raising a spate of additional health concerns.

I urge this committee to recognize that this bill turns every public rest room and locker room into a hostile environment for women and children.
Please vote against this measure.

Thank you.