Governor Deval Patrick reiterated yesterday his support for a transgender rights bill, which has become an unexpected flashpoint in the governor’s race, and sought to use his rivals’ opposition to the legislation to raise money for his reelection campaign.

At issue is a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of “gender identity or expression.’’

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles D. Baker issued a flier Saturday to delegates at his party’s convention saying he would veto the bill, even though it is cosponsored by his running mate, Senate minority leader Richard R. Tisei.

On Monday, state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, who is running for governor as an independent, issued a strongly worded statement saying that he, too, would veto the legislation.

I know! And that’s why I wasn’t the least bit scared of the democratic process!

I’m proud to be a citizen of the first state to allow same-sex marriages. I don’t like how it was done, with gays acting running roughshod over dissenting voices. Some gays just think that they should always win every argument, no matter what.

I thought we could have won that vote. Massachusetts is a pretty liberal state. Heck, Massachusetts is synonymous with liberal. I would have been proud to cast my vote in favor of same sex marriage, but I was robbed of that opportunity. We robbed everyone of their opportunity to vote, regardless of which side they came down on.