All Entries Tagged With: "kara suffredini"
Transgender Day of Celebration Comes to Boston For the 1st Time, Honors Life
By: Emily Scagel/TRT Assistant Editor– The Metropolitan Community Church of Boston is hosting Boston’s first Transgender Day of Celebration, a day complementary to Transgender Day of Remembrance that publicly celebrates transgender lives. “Transgender Day of Celebration is an opportunity for trans people and all who love them to come together and celebrate,” said Rev. Jamez [...]
A Climate Shift for Major American Sports
MassEquality congratulates Jason Collins on his decision to come out, and thanks him for his bravery and honesty BOSTON, Mass. – NBA player Jason Collins, formerly of the Boston Celtics, came out today in an interview with Sports Illustrated. His decision to release this announcement makes him the first openly gay player actively on a major [...]
One Small Step in Marathon for Gender Identity Protections
MassEquality commends the Medford School Committee on passing a new gender identity nondiscrimination policy for Medford Public Schools and looks ahead to next steps BOSTON, Mass. – This week, the Medford School Committee unanimously approved a new gender identity nondiscrimination policy for Medford Public Schools after MassEquality, partner organizations and allies garnered local support for [...]
Boston’s LGBTQ Community Reacts to Mayor Menino’s Departure
Local leaders reflect, share thanks following the mayor’s announcement By: Lauren Walleser/TRT Reporter— On Thursday, May 28th, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced that he will not run for reelection after holding the position for twenty years. During his time in office, Mayor Menino has been touted as the most pro-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and [...]
St. Patrick’s Parade Rejects LGBTs Again; Orgs. Denounce Actions
BOSTON, Mass. — Organizers of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade that takes place in South Boston rejected an application by MassEquality to participate in Sunday’s parade. In doing so, organizers noted that the parade was full. MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini issued the following statement in response: “Organizers of the annual St. Patrick’s Day [...]
MassEquality Icon Awards Raises $140K
Governor, Boston Bruins, MA Coalition for the Homeless, and Esmond Harmsworth honored at second annual event BOSTON, Mass. – MassEquality announced that it raised approximately $140,000 at its second annual Icon Awards. Governor Deval Patrick, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, and Esmond Harmsworth were honored at the event, which took place in the Oval [...]
MassEquality on Senate Candidate Michael Sullivan’s Anti-Marriage Equality Views
BOSTON, Mass. — Yesterday, during a press conference confirming his intent to run for U.S. Senate, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan affirmed his opposition to marriage equality. MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini offered the following statement in response: “In 2013, having celebrated marriage equality for almost a decade, there is no place in Massachusetts politics [...]
New Guidance for Transgender Non-Discrimination Law in Schools
BOSTON, Mass. – The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Feb. 15 issued comprehensive guidelines that aim to ensure Massachusetts public schools comply with the new transgender non-discrimination law that prohibits discrimination against transgender students in all school programs and activities. The DESE guidelines were praised by an array of advocates, educators, families [...]
LGBT Leaders Welcome Cowan’s Appointment as Interim MA Senator, more
By: Chuck Colbert/TRT Reporter– Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has named former aide William “Mo” Cowan as interim U.S. senator. The appointment, which came on Wednesday, January 30, fills the seat left vacant by John F. Kerry who resigned from the Senate to become secretary of state. The Senate confirmed him to that post on a [...]
MassEquality Named Leading High-Impact Local Nonprofit by Philanthropedia
Dollars contributed to MassEquality are dollars well spent BOSTON, Massachusetts—MassEquality announce on January 4th that it made Philanthropedia’s list of top nonprofits working locally to advance LGBTQ equality. Philanthropedia is a division of the leading nonprofit information provider GuideStar. Philanthropedia compiled its list by surveying 110 experts working in the field of LGBTQ equality to identify organizations that were [...]
MassEquality, Others React to U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision on Prop. 8 & DOMA
BOSTON, Massachusetts — On December 7th, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would hear arguments in Windsor v. United States, which challenges Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibits federal recognition of the marriages of same-sex couples. At President Barack Obama’s direction, the U.S. Department of Justice is no longer defending DOMA. A [...]
Gayborhood News: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
By: Emily Scagel/TRT Assistant Editor– Baltimore, MD Marriage equality approved at ballot box in Maryland Maryland voters approved the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which paves the way for gay and lesbian couples to receive a marriage license. This is the first time that any state has voted on and passed marriage equality on the ballot. [...]
New Report on LGBT Movement Sees Increase in Financial Support, Donors
BOSTON, Massachusetts — Following several years of declining revenue, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) social justice organizations experienced a 17% revenue increase from 2010 to 2011 according to a new report by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP). Organizations are reaping the benefits of improved efficiency during the belt-tightening years, and increased funding primarily fueled [...]
MassEquality Board Member Named A Social Justice Champion By Chelsea Collaborative
Organization cites commitment to ensuring that equal rights and opportunities are open to all BOSTON, Massachusetts—On Dec. 7, 2012, the Chelsea Collaborative will honor the Two Sisters and a Wife Foundation, a family foundation managed by long-time MassEquality board member Sara Whitman, with its Social Justice Champion Award. Whitman’s family foundation granted the Collaborative $40,000 [...]
Municipal Equality Index in MA: Boston & Cambridge 100; Northampton, Others Not So
Boston and Cambridge score 100; Northampton & Provincetown not so. In this first of its kind nationwide evaluation of LGBT inclusion in municipal law and policy finds cities need to do more to protect LGBT employees and citizens WASHINGTON — A new report on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality in America’s cities by the [...]
