Our Past Victories
At MassEquality, we're proud of our legendary history of securing enormous achievements for the LGBTQ community. Our extensive education and advocacy program helped us secure the historic right to equal marriage in 2007. Since that victory, we have continued to make history by advocating for all members of our community throughout the last two decades.
As a result of our extensive advocacy efforts, we won civil rights protections for transgender people both in 2011 and again in 2016. In 2018, with a repeal of a repeal of transgender equal rights on the November ballot, we used our extensive education program to ensure that voters knew that transgender people must have the same right to use public accommodations without fear of discrimination that the rest of the state enjoys.
Representative Ayanna Pressley meets with speakers and advocates taking part in the "Yes on 3" campaign to defend anti-trans discrimination protections.
Mayor Thomas Menino celebrates the 5th anniversary of marriage equality with MassEquality in 2009.
Governor Deval Patrick signs a historic Executive Order prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and expression in state employment on February 17, 2011.
Marcia Hams, one half of the first same sex couple in Massachusetts to get a marriage license, celebrates with Margaret Drury, the Cambridge City Clerk who issued her marriage license, at MassEquality's 7 Years Party.
MassEquality staff members travel to DC to talk to the Obama White House about LGBTQ issues in 2012.
Governor Deval Patrick signs a landmark anti-bullying bill into law in 2010.
Representative Barney Frank speaks at a MassEquality event protesting Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2010.
Attorney General Maura Healey attends MassEquality's 2014 Icons dinner, where we honor the pro-LGBTQ champions who help us secure landmark legislation.
MassEquality staff and volunteers campaign for anti-trans discrimination legislation in 2009.
In 2007, legendary couple Ralph Hogdon and Paul McMahon celebrate Pride with MassEquality.
In 2014, MassEquality honored Speaker Robert DeLeo at our annual Icons dinner, where we celebrate the pro-LGBTQ champions who help us secure landmark legislation.
Joyful celebrations of the freedom to marry in Massachusetts.
MassEquality campaigns against Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 2010.
Representative Byron Rushing speaks at MassEquality's 2011 Red Party.
On the third anniversary of marriage equality, Governor Deval Patrick declares May 17, 2007 "Marriage Equality Day."
We have also used education and outreach campaigns to help secure an extensive anti-bullying campaign in schools and helped establish the first in the nation LGBTQ Youth Commission. In 2019, we supported LGBTQ young people by successfully lobbying for a ban on conversion therapy for minors. We also serve as members of the Special Commission on LGBTQ Aging Commission and used our education campaigns to secure a first-in-the-nation LGBTQ elder cultural competency training bill for all elder care providers.
We frequently offer testimony before special legislative committees in support of our LGBTQ Champions' Legislative Agenda, including critical testimony for the Transgender Equal Access Bill and An Act Providing Housing and Support Services for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth.
Over the past sixteen years, MassEquallity has grown into one of the most well-respected social justice organizations in the region with deep relationships in the community, across the state, and at the State House.