Boston Pride Marshals 2007
The Boston Pride Committee is pleased to introduce the 2007 Pride Marshals:
- Representative Liz Malia, State Representative for the 11th Suffolk District;
- Jacob Smith Yang and MAP for Health, Mass. Asian and Pacific Islanders for Health; and
- SpeakOut, the nation's first LGBT speakers bureau
Boston Pride Honorary Marshals 2007
The Boston Pride Committee Honorary Grand Marshal award is a posthumous award given each year to a member of the LGBT community for recognition of their work on behalf of the LGBT community. This award was created in 2006 to honor people in our history whose strength, courage and dedication have helped shape and advance the LGBT community in the hopes of ensuring that we enjoy fair treatment, equal rights and on-going respect of our global community.
This year's Honorary Grand Marshal award is being given to the Honorable Gerry Studds.
Representative Liz Malia
Rep. Liz Malia, representing the 11th Suffolk District at the State Legislature, has always shown strong commitment to defend the LGBT community, and played a leading and critical role in the establishment of the Massachusetts Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth. She currently supports legislation to protect marriage equality in Massachusetts.
Visit Rep. Malia's website for more information.
Jacob Smith Yang and MAP for Health
Jacob Smith Young is the Executive Director of Massachusetts Asian & Pacific Islanders for Health (MAP for Health). MAP for Health is a local, non-profit, community-based organization that mobilizes, educates, and advocates for Asian, South Asian, and Pacific Islander health improvements--particularly in HIV/AIDS and sexual health. Jacob Smith Young is also a member of the Commission for GLBT youth. He has been working tirelessly for the GLBT Asian Community in Boston.
Visit MAP for Health for more information.
SpeakOut
SpeakOut is the nation's first LGBT speakers bureau, and works to create a world free of homo-bi-trans-phobia and other forms of prejudice by telling the truths of people’s lives. Their activities include conducting educational programs about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives and issues; training individuals and organizations to use public speaking as a means of creating positive cultural change; sharing lives and experiences publicly in order to support those struggling with sexuality and gender identity; and educating within the communities they represent about issues that divide these communities. They engage audiences in honest dialogue, and in keeping with their motto "Ask Us Anything", invite any questions that may challenge harmful stereotypes and misconceptions.
SpeakOut will celebrate its 35th birthday in 2007.
Visit SpeakOut Boston for more information.
Honorary Marshal: The Honorable Gerry Studds
Gerry Eastman Studds (May 12, 1937 – October 14, 2006) was an American Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts who served from 1973 until 1997. He was the first openly gay national politician in the U.S. He fought for many issues, including environmental and maritime issues, same-sex marriage, AIDS funding, and civil rights, particularly for gay men and lesbians.