Mass. transgender activists press for rights bill

Transgender advocates are lobbying Massachusetts lawmakers to pass a bill designed to increase their legal protections.

The Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing Wednesday at the Statehouse to hear testimony on a bill that would add the words “gender identity or expression’’ to the state’s existing nondiscrimination laws.

State Attorney General Martha Coakley testified in favor of the bill, which supporters say will help protect transgender people from discrimination when seeking a job or housing.