The Massachusetts state Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would prohibit discrimination against transgender people in sports arenas, movie theaters, bars, malls, and other public accommodations. The vote was 33-4.

The legislation, which now heads to the House, is aimed at protecting people who identify with a sex other than the one they were assigned at birth.

It would specifically allow people to use the restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms that match their gender identity.

The debate over the issue Thursday was emotional. Here are some highlights:

COMPILED BY JOSHUA MILLER Material from the State House News Service was included

State House News Service contributed to this report. Joshua Miller can be reached at joshua.miller@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jm_bos and subscribe to his weekday e-mail update on politics at bostonglobe.com/politicalhappyhour