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HD 1907

An Act repealing homophobic and transphobic laws

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jack Lewis

Massachusetts bill repeals outdated homophobic and transphobic statutes from state law to modernize legal code and remove discriminatory provisions.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 1907

Legislative bill overview

HD 1907 seeks to repeal Massachusetts laws that criminalize or discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals, specifically targeting statutes containing homophobic and transphobic language or provisions. The bill aims to modernize the state's legal code by removing outdated provisions that may conflict with current constitutional protections and public policy.

Why is this important

Massachusetts' legal code contains provisions from different historical periods, some of which may be unenforceable but remain "on the books," creating legal uncertainty and symbolic harm to LGBTQ+ communities. Repealing these laws sends a clear policy signal and eliminates potential legal vulnerabilities where statutes could be reinterpreted or enforced in unexpected ways.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's description doesn't specify which laws are being repealed, making it difficult to assess whether repeal is appropriate for all identified statutes or if some should be modified rather than removed
  • Symbolic vs. practical impact: Critics may argue the bill addresses already-unenforceable "dead letter" laws and question whether legislative resources should prioritize this over other measures, while supporters see value in legal clarity and removing stigmatizing language
  • Definitional questions: There may be disagreement over which existing provisions constitute "homophobic" or "transphobic" language, and whether repeal is the appropriate remedy versus legislative clarification or amendment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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