DURHAM, NC - MAY 10: Gender neutral signs are posted in the 21C Museum Hotel public restrooms on May 10, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. Debate over transgender bathroom access spreads nationwide as the U.S. Department of Justice countersues North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory from enforcing the provisions of House Bill 2 that dictate what bathrooms transgender individuals can use. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)
BOSTON (AP) — Leaders of the state's public university system are pledging to continue their policy of allowing transgender students, faculty, staff members and guests to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity even if Massachusetts voters opt to repeal a 2016 transgender rights law.
University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan and the chancellors of the five UMass campuses said in a statement Monday that they plan to keep the university system's existing policy "regardless of the outcome of the election, and to the extent permitted by law."
A "no" vote on Question 3 would repeal the law.
Supporters of the repeal effort say they want to protect women from being harassed or assaulted by male criminals falsely claiming to identify as female to enter women's restrooms or locker rooms.
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