Jo has lived and worked in western Massachusetts since the late 1990s, arriving fresh out of New York City’s Hunter College School of Social Work where she focused on homelessness policy, prison reform, and earned an MSW.
Abolish Racist School Mascots
S.294, An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth
It is long past time for Massachusetts to grapple with our history and correct injustices that have been done and continue to be perpetrated on Native Americans. School mascots that demean Native Americans are one such continued affront. My bill (S.294, An Act prohibiting the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth) stops the practice of allowing school team names, logos, and mascots that refer to Native Americans, including aspects of Native American cultures, and specific Native American tribes.
Right to Non-Binary Gender Identification
S.2282, An Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification
People have a right to be identified by their preferred gender on all state documents and forms. My bill (S.2282, An Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification) requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to allow a non-binary option other than male or female on drivers licenses, enables parents to choose a non-binary option on their child’s birth certificate, allows adults to change the gender on their own birth certificate by request, and directs the state to develop a plan to allow a non-binary option on all state forms and for all instances in which a gender choice is required.
Allow Gender-Neutral Bathrooms
S.2026, An Act establishing gender neutral bathrooms
Sex-segregated restroom facilities fail to accommodate everyone’s needs. These bathrooms in schools can pose difficulty to transgender and gender nonconforming students. Research shows that nearly two thirds of transgender students avoid school bathrooms because they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. My bill (S.2026, An Act establishing gender neutral bathrooms) directs changes to the state building code to allow gender-neutral bathrooms in renovations or new construction.
Protect Patients’ Bodily Integrity
S.1383, An Act to assure informed consent for pelvic examinations of anesthetized or unconscious patients
Everyone has the right to control their own body integrity. My bill (S.1383, An Act to assure informed consent for pelvic examinations of anesthetized or unconscious patients) prohibits doctors and medical students from performing pelvic exams on an anesthetized or unconscious patient without first obtaining written informed consent, unless the exam is required for the patient’s care.