TAC Will Advise Boston Pride Through Transformation Process

Boston Pride has named seven members of the new Transformation Advisory Committee (TAC) that will advise the organization during the ongoing transformation process to ensure that its vision, mission and values are in alignment and in the best interest of the LGBTQ+ community.  One of the primary responsibilities of the TAC is to oversee the recruitment of new Boston Pride board members to ensure that the board is reflective of the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, and to ensure that the board is inclusive of all people in the community.

The TAC is comprised of members of the Greater Boston LGBTQ+ community:

  • Sheika Babin
  • Sam Chambers
  • Patty Haggerty
  • Shelita Hayes
  • Ed Hurley
  • Ryan Roy
  • Lee Santos Silva

“This is an important step in our ongoing transformation process. We are looking forward to working with the Transformation Advisory Committee to help us build a better Pride,” said Linda DeMarco, President of Boston Pride. “We continue to listen to members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially from Black, Brown, transgender people and others about making sure our work is inclusive to all. We have empowered the TAC to make recommendations for new Boston Pride board members and we look forward to implementing their suggestions. We thank them for their service to the community and we welcome others to join as well.”

During the past year, Boston Pride has been working on transforming the organization as a result of the board’s response to concerns raised by Black, Brown, transgender people and other members of the community. These concerns compelled Boston Pride to examine the board and the entire organizational structure including programming of events for Pride 2021.

Boston Pride has committed to abiding by a list of intentions and rationale in everything it is doing in transforming the organization:

  • Boston Pride is engaging in a transformational process to facilitate fulfillment of our mission and vision, which we serve. 
  • Boston Pride is dismantling the systemic oppression and individual, interpersonal, institutional and structural racism within its own organization.
  • Boston Pride uses its platform and resources to reduce the negative impact of oppression and racism on LGBTQIA+ communities of color, with deliberate focus on marginalized and intersectional people.
  • Boston Pride is devoted to ensuring acceptance, diversity, access, and inclusion of the distinct identities that make up the LGBTQIA+ community.

Boston Pride is continuing to provide multiple opportunities for people to become involved in the organization including additional open positions on the Transformation Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors, and Community Advisory Council positions.  Information and applications can all be found on the Boston Pride website.