Today, I’m joining thousands of LGBTQ friends, neighbors, activists, allies, tourists, community organizations, faith groups, businesses, and everyday people to march in the Boston Pride Parade.
Pride is so much more than a parade. It’s a showcase of the unity and solidarity of the LGBTQ community. It’s about celebrating our leaders, like Arline Isaacson, Linda DeMarco, Hillary Goodridge, and Pride’s 2018 Grand Marshall, Freedom For All Massachusetts. It’s about welcoming and accepting thousands of residents and visitors into our community with open arms, no matter who they love. And it’s about looking ahead to empower communities in the fight for equality.
We have done so much to advance equality in Massachusetts. From same-sex marriage to anti-bullying and transgender public accommodations. But that has not eradicated discrimination and violence toward the LGBTQ community.
The fight for marriage equality was not a given, even here in the Commonwealth. For years after the court ruled in favor of marriage equality, the Legislature had to swat back amendments, bills, and ballot petitions that sought to reverse the progress we had made.
And it was tough. The Catholic Church was strong and vocal in its opposition, and Mitt Romney was a governor who showed little regard for social equality.
The thing is, it was never a question for me. It was always the right thing to do.
Along with Representative Liz Malia, then-Representative/now Mayor Marty Walsh, and others, we talked to our colleagues in the Legislature. And eventually, we got enough votes to secure marriage equality for all people.
It didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen because people yelled from behind a podium. It happened by talking to people with different perspectives over long lunches and countless meeting. And it happened because the LGBTQ community came together as one, strong voice.
So today, we celebrate how far we’ve come, and acknowledge the work still ahead of us. We must reach out to youth living alone on the streets, abandoned by their parents because of who they love. We must extend a hand to those suffering from violence. We must support people for who they are. And we must vote YES on the November ballot to defend transgender rights alongside Freedom For All Massachusetts.
Pride is a week of excitement, celebration, and happiness. I’m honored to have stood with every member of the LGBTQ community and will continue to stand in solidarity until everyone is equal.
