It seems axiomatic that courthouses should be among the safest
places in our communities. They are, after all, halls of justice
where individuals and institutions are summonsed to appear before
their peers to answer for their acts and omissions.
Gov. Deval Patrick signed an equal rights bill on Nov. 23 that
protects transgender people from housing, education, employment and
credit discrimination. It also provides additional civil rights and
protection from hate crimes.