Franklin County Pride 2023

I was honored to offer the following remarks on June 10 at Franklin County Pride 2023 and to close by introducing Congressman Jim McGovern.

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Hello Franklin County Pride!

Let’s give a cheer for the PRIDE organizers and everyone who is part of today’s celebration. 

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In honor of Pride, I want you to know that I’m:

Proud to be a member of our beautiful, diverse LGBTQIA+ family.

Proud to represent 15 Franklin County communities in the Massachusetts Senate in partnership with the amazing Representatives Susannah Whipps and Natalie Blais and Congressman Jim McGovern, all of us marching today.

Proud to work side by side with District Director Elena Cohen. 

Delighted that this glorious pride month affirms the worth and dignity of everyone in our community.

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Our community is bold.

Our community is resilient. Our community is expansive. And caring. And fearless. We march and rally today in solidarity with our family in other states who cannot live out loud – where there’s danger and oppression.

Together, we’re hell-bent to leap into a future that is more hopeful than the present.

Our community is led by rising generations.

Transforming gender and sexuality. Building a dynamic and expanding movement. Coming forward to claim what’s theirs. What’s ours: Dignity, equity, love.

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And we organize. After all, the first pride was a riot. We have that in our blood.

Today’s celebration is propelled by organizing that has and will continue to face down brutal injustice.

Because generations before us have fought for the rights we have today – just like we will push our governments at the local, state, and national levels to enact policies and funding priorities that reflect our movement – for tomorrow and the generations to come.

Today there is a pride flag flying over the Massachusetts State House. The House Speaker and the Senate President – and our Governor – spoke at the raising ceremony.

And this session, my team and I are renewing our work – with the support of the Senate President – to break down barriers and win greater protections for our trans and non-binary siblings. 

I’ve filed a bill to reduce barriers to gender-affirming care. We know that gender-affirming care is health care. Yet right now, people seeking gender-affirming care face barriers due to unacceptable, unjustified, insurance coverage prior authorization requirements. My bill goes right at this issue.  

I’ve also filed legislation to change the state building code to allow gender neutral bathrooms in any renovation or new construction.

Finally, I’ve again filed legislation to require a nonbinary marker choice on all state documents. My bill requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to allow a non-binary option on drivers licenses, enables parents and caregivers to choose a non-binary option on their child’s birth certificate, allows adults to change the gender on their birth certificate, and directs the state to develop a plan to provide a non-binary option on all state forms. My bill also provides protections against discrimination or intimidation based on the gender indicated on any identification issued by the state. 

This last bill will have a hearing in the Transportation Committee this coming Tuesday, June 13. I encourage you to testify in support of this bill, and any others you feel called to speak on.  

We need your voices to make sure that Massachusetts policy works for all of us. We need the people-power that got us here today to push us forward on Beacon Hill. 

You are my family. Elena’s family. And every day my team and I will see you. Affirm you. Celebrate you. Struggle with you. Fight for you. And win together.

I am proud to do that with my amazing state colleagues and proud to have the support of our jaw-droppingly-great Congressman McGovern.

Many of you know Jim already, because Jim is always with us. We’re so lucky he’s our Congressman – heading to DC to fight on behalf of our community. He is one of the world’s very best human beings. Tireless and good. AND he’s up next to speak.

Happy PRIDE everybody.

And now join me in cheering for our Congressman and friend, Jim McGovern.