The President Supports Marriage Equality!

GLBT Democrats and our allies have a lot of reason to be excited today: The President just came out for full marriage equality.

Thank you, Mr. President!

Video and article on it here.

The President's Progress on LGBT Civil Rights

The President released a timeline of his administration's progress on civil rights for the GLBT community. It's very long. Click on the link for a larger version of the file.

BSSD Endorses Elizabeth Warren for US Senate!

 We are pleased to announce that the membership of the Bay State Stonewall Democrats have endorsed Elizabeth Warren for the Democratic Party Nominee for United States Senate. Elizabeth brings with her experience in and out of government. As a Professor at Harvard Law School, she was a leading voice on economic fairness for the middle class. She continued that role by fighting to find out where all the money went with the nation's troubled "TARP" program, ensuring the banks were held accountable and the public was paid back. Her tireless and independent efforts to protect taxpayers and hold Wall Street accountable won wide praise, including Time Magazine naming her the Sheriff of Wall Street.

She is widely credited for the original thinking, political courage, and relentless persistence that led to the creation of a new consumer financial protection agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She led the establishment of the agency, building the structure and organization to hold accountable even trillion-dollar financial institutions and to protect consumers from financial tricks and traps often hidden in mortgages, credit cards and other financial products.

More importantly, she has been a voice for the disappearing middle class, speaking out for mortgage reform, having the wealthiest Corporations and individuals pay their fair share in taxes to decrease the federal deficit yet continue to advance a steadily advancing economic recovery. Her position of Equality in the Law includes LGBT Marriage Equality, support for the repeal of DOMA and including Transgender citizens as full and equal citizens. As LGBT Democrats, we can be assured of a strong voice in affordable health care, improved health care for women, strong unions and equal pay for equal work.

We encourage all LGBT Democrats and our supporters to stand behind Elizabeth's candidacy for US Senate.

Click here to donate to her campaign.

Steve Iannaccone & Claire Naughton,
Co-Chairs Bay State Stonewall Democrats

 BSSD Board Member Appointed to Newton NHRC

BSSD board member Holly Ryan with Co-Chair Steve Iannaccone.

The Bay State Stonewall Democrats are proud to announce that our Board member, Holly Ryan, has been appointed to the Newton Human Rights Commission by Mayor Setti Warren. Ms. Ryan was approved by the full board of Aldermen on February 21, 2012 and her term is for three years. Holly is a life-long resident of Newton and product of the Newton School System, as was her 23-year-old daughter and her 16-year-old son who presently attends Newton South High School.

Holly is a valued and tireless Board Member of the BSSD. As a member of the Stonewall Democrats, Holly worked with several other BSSD members to add 4 seats to the Democratic State Committee, 2 specifically held for members of the Transgender community (1 male and 1 female seat) and 2 held for members of the bisexual Community (1 male and 1 female). This took the total of seats held for the LGBT community on the Democratic State Committee to 14. Holly is also an elected member of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee.

BSSD Co-Chair Steve Innaccone said of Holly, that she brought “ intensity and drive to political efforts, using her understanding and relationships in the political arena to make possible the passage of the Transgender Equality legislation. I know she is a hero in the eyes of many; I am happy to say she is one for me. She will make an excellent advocate for Human Rights issues in Newton."

Holly served as a chair of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition steering committee from 2005 until 2008 and was an advocate, trainer and consultant for the Boston area transgender community for the past twenty years. Her work includes having been a consultant and trainer for the Trans Health and Education Development Program of JRI Health in 2000, and a current member of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services LGBTQ Advisory Board

The Newton Human Rights Commission (HRC) was established by the City of Newton to assure mutual understanding and respect among all persons in the City by promoting acceptance of diversity and combating discrimination. This volunteer board, whose members are appointed by the mayor, identifies and addresses issues of prejudice within the City and organizes programs for community education on human rights matters.

Asked how she felt about Holly’s appointment to the Newton commission, BSSD Co-Chair Claire Naughton said, “I have been on the front lines with Holly in the battle for LGBT rights, and she is a tireless worker. I can tell you that Holly is the person you want on your side when the going gets tough. The Newton Human Rights Commission is lucky to have her.”