Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus

Great News: We won the House vote on the Parentage Bill - unanimously! Thank you to everyone who called their state rep!

Next stop: The State Senate.
Please call your MA State Senator and ask them to vote for the Parentage Act (H4750)

IMPORTANT & TIMELY:
Parentage Bill vote in the legislature this Wednesday (6/11). Please call your Massachusetts state legislators and ask them to vote for H4672 - so our families and children are treated equally under the law.

Here's a Fact Sheet with the old bill number:

www.mass.gov

Thank you to all the friends, allies and supporters who have made donations to our organization this PRIDE month to help us with our advocacy for LGBTQ equality!

Happy PRIDE!

Happy Pride! Join us this Friday at the New Gala for the LGBTQ+ Museum: https://bostonlgbtqmuseum.org/the-ball?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR366Zf4KQyy9DaL6L68i55OXCrWmNATlzCO0StLxsI1D1CKDxyRSuJWuME_aem_AcwVTdkl0vMCkXTq8XCl2iCHAs0mhynt3ze5CyMkXUzdbFxfdGLJnq9Kj7yTZOvmdT7lAivNLUylH438YFqOFeb4

The Portraits of Pride Ball — Boston LGBTQ+ Museum of Art, History & Culture The Portraits of Pride Ball is an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the museum's mission and impact programs.

Happy Anniversary!

20 years ago, the Massachusetts Gay and Le***an Political Caucus led the lobbying effort to defeat a ban on marriage equality. The battle lasted 10 years. But in 2004, it became a battle to preserve the marriage rights won in the courts.

So today we thank the brave legislators who withstood enormous political pressure and voted to support our right to marry.

And we celebrate all the wonderful LGBTQs and allies who fought so hard to win that historic battle.

When we fight for justice and equality, we win!

I offered a political perspective to coverage of the Pope's announcement:

Local Catholics react to the pope permitting same-sex 'blessings' Local Catholics and advocates have mixed reactions to Pope Francis' decree allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. The new rule is a step toward inclusion, but doesn't allow priests to officiate gay weddings. Many see it as a welcome shift, even as the sting of the church's long opposition to ga...

On the 20th Anniversary of Marriage Equality in Massachusetts, Co-Chairs Gary Daffin and Arline Isaacson reflect on those battles, starting at minute 33:17 on WBUR's Radio Boston: https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2023/11/17/goodridge-marshall-gay-marriage-massachusetts?fbclid=IwAR0l2Me043bQjA_j6auTCkhteaZ-OaWs05Xj3_moCHP6RSMkAz5qbvVQ_84

Reflecting on 20 years of marriage equality in Massachusetts On the 20th anniversary of the Goodridge decision, we talk with Hillary Goodridge, one of the lead plaintiffs in the court case that created marriage equality in Massachusetts, as well as Margaret Marshall, the former Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court chief justice who wrote the opinion in the Go...

Thank you Boston Mayor Wu!

‘Terrific news’: LGBTQ+ community celebrates Boston’s decision to embrace gender-neutral marriage licenses - The Boston Globe Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration said the city made the move as part of a slate of new “gender-aware guidelines” to make the city more inclusive.

As we close out PRIDE month, we thank Judi Hirsch's beloved sister Alma for honoring Judi's memory with a generous donation to MGLPC. We love and miss Judi.

Join MGLPC Monday evening 6/26/23 as we close out Pride month with a panel discussion at the Massachusetts Historical Society.

June 14, 2007: We dealt the death blow in Massachusetts to DOMA (the ban on marriage equality)! Just a few months ago, our Congressmen and Senators voted for the Respect for Marriage Act with Joe Biden's enthusiastic support. Thank you to all who worked with us. Elections have consequences! Happy Pride!

Join us this Tuesday for National Coming Out Day at Suffolk Law School. The event is open to all.

Join Us This Saturday for Portraits of Pride!

As PRIDE month comes to a close, we remember longtime MGLPC friend and supporter Judi Hirsch, who passed away before Covid. Judi cared deeply about our community and advancing our battles for equality and justice. This year, her sister has made a generous donation in Judi's honor for PRIDE. We thank and honor them both.

Our work continues in the State House. And today, we also celebrate passage in the State Senate of a bill repealing the anti-sodomy laws.

Thank you to all who support our work. It makes victories like today's possible.

Rally: Wednesday June 1 (3pm - 4pm) at the State House in support of the Mass. Parentage Act (H1714/S1133). Kids welcome! Join Us!

MPA Rally_IG2.png

We mourn the loss of Urvashi Vaid. She was a great leader, thinker and activist in our community. Our love goes out to her longtime partner, Kate Clinton and to all her friends and family.

https://www.washingtonblade.com/2022/05/14/legendary-attorney-lgbtq-activist-author-urvashi-vaid-has-died/

Attorney, LGBTQ activist and author Urvashi Vaid dies Former National LGBTQ Task Force executive director passed away in New York.

LGBTQ Equality Threatened by Supreme Court Decision
https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2022/05/10/same-sex-marriage-and-abortion-rights-are-legally-intertwined-says-attorney-who-argued-for-marriage-equality

Same-sex marriage and abortion rights are legally intertwined, says attorney who argued for marriage equality It all boils down to the 14th Amendment, which promises liberty and equality, Mary Bonauto argues.

ROE decision could implicate LGBTQ Equality: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned-what-could-come-next/2711772/

If Roe v. Wade Is Overturned, What Could Come Next? If the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, as a leaked draft option suggests it might as early as this summer, there are concerns about the ripple effect of the changed interpretation of law. The information came from a Politico report. The Supreme Court released a statement confirming....

It's been a busy year for MGLPC. We've worked on:

1) Repealing the Anti-Sodomy Laws
2) Promoting the Parentage Act for LGBTQ Couples
3) Passing the Healthy Youth Act on S*x Education
4) Passing Gender X legislation
5) Creating Safe Injection Sites
6) Protecting the Right to Choose
7) And much more

Please support our work with donations to MGLPC at
P.O.Box 246
State House
Boston, MA 02133

Massachusetts Gay and Le***an Political Caucus updated their address.

Massachusetts Gay and Le***an Political Caucus updated their information in their About section.

Honoring Judi Hirsch:

Judi was a dear friend and supporter of MGLPC for many years.
We lost her to a cruel illness 2 years ago.

But this year, her sister decided to honor Judi's legacy of support
and activism for LGBTQ rights with a special donation to MGLPC.
And by so doing, she helps to keep the memory of Judi alive in
yet one more way.

Thank you Alma and thank you Judi. Your generosity allows
MGLPC to keep working for LGBTQ equality.

We send our love and gratitude.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/09/metro/boston-pride-announces-closing-amid-controversy-over-inclusion/

Boston Pride announces closing amid controversy over inclusion - The Boston Globe Boston Pride, which for a half-century advocated for the rights of the LGBTQ community, is dissolving amid a controversy over inclusion, the group’s board of directors announced Friday, threatening the future of New England’s largest Pride parade.

MGLPC - Happy to support local PRIDE events.... even in extreme heat !

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/scituate-mariner/2021/06/30/pride-walk-wraps-up-pride-month-scituate/7791753002/

Scituate community comes together for Pride Walk Pride Walk draws people of all ages in Scituate.

This Saturday: First Annual Scituate PRIDE - June 26,2021.
https://www.scituatepride.com/news/pride-walk-grand-marshall-announced-arline-isaacson
Friends & Allies from Surrounding Towns: Join Us 10 AM-12:30

Scituate Pride It is with great honor Scituate Pride announces our Grand Marshall for our June 26th PRIDE Walk is Arline Isaacson! Read Arline’s short bio to learn more about her and add our PRIDE walk to your schedule, along with our other great events all month long !

We've come so far, though we still have much to do. After a terrible 2020, Let's celebrate our wonderful community this month! Happy PRIDE to all!

On 50th anniversary of Boston Pride, transgender activists return to resistance - The Boston Globe This year’s event is being overhauled by Black and transgender activists who say organizers have grown too cozy with police and unresponsive to their needs.

MGLPC Co-Chair joins Senator Ed Markey and other LGBTQ activists for an LGBTQ Roundtable tomorrow (6/16) at 3pm. Livestreamed on Markey's page. Join us!

MGLPC Fighting for LGBTQ Rights for Decades: Help us now by clicking the Donate Button on the Left

30 years ago, gay civil rights campaign set stage for more 30 years ago, gay civil rights campaign set stage for more