LGBTQIA+ Rights

Massachusetts has the honor of having the second largest LGBTQIA+ population in the United States, and some of the strongest laws to protect LGBTQIA+ people. Yet systemic discrimination, intolerance, and bigotry impact LGBTQIA+ people starting from a young age leading to disproportionately high rates of homelessness, incarceration, substance use, and deep disparities in healthcare and mental health. I am committed to addressing these disparities in our schools, housing, healthcare, and the criminal legal system so that we can build a truly welcoming, supportive, and inclusive community for all.

Together, we will

Support our LGBTQIA+ Youth

Pass the Healthy Youth Act so that sex education in our public schools is comprehensive, medically accurate, LGBTQIA+-inclusive, and age-appropriate. Fully fund mental health care supports in our public schools and ensure that it is LGBTQIA+ supportive. With 41% of LGBTQIA+ youth in Massachusetts considered suicide and 71% experiencing symptoms of anxiety, mental health for our youth is an urgent crisis. Ensure all shelters have the resources necessary to be supportive and LGBTQIA+ inclusive because up to 40% of houseless youth are LGBTQIA+.

Protect, expand, and fully fund healthcare for LGBTQIA+ people

It is critical that our healthcare system covers gender affirming care, STI prevention and treatment, including HIV/AIDS, and inclusive mental health care, and substance use support. For too long, public health issues have been handled by the criminal legal system, especially at the discriminatory intersection of gender identity and sexual orientation, which is why I co-sponsored the following bills: An Act to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ people, An Act to stop profiling transgender people and low-income women and An Act to promote the health and safety of people in the sex trade.

Ensure equal rights for all

We must pass the Parentage Act as law. Currently, some LGBTQIA+ couples face challenges to establish a legal connection and status to their children. Protecting the parent-child relationship and its legal rights is critical to issues like health insurance and medical decision making. We must ensure that under the law LGBTQIA+ parents are like any other parent. 

What we’ve delivered so far

  • Passed the Parentage Act in the House, which would update the Commonwealth’s parentage law to reflect modern-day families, including children born to LGBTIA+ families through methods such as assisted reproduction and surrogacy. 

  • Advocated for and passed An Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification, which allows residents to amend their birth certificate and marriage licenses with a gender-neutral “X” designation.

  • Advocated for and won the statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors

  • Cosponsored an amendment to help secure funding for a virtual, statewide LGBTQIA+ senior center