MASSEQUALITY EDUCATION FUND INC

Programs: Massequality increased public support for prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations through: increasing the number of cities and towns in the commonwealth prohibiting public accommodations discrimination against transgender people from four to nine between january and september 2014; securing public support of key associations representing public accommodations; developing a transgender nondiscrimination policy for a major, national gym chain operating in 48 u. S states; organizing transgender individuals, families and allies through phone banking and recruitment at various public events to speak in support of these protections at various public hearings; placing articles in local and statewide newspapers as well as in online media outlets; and organizing online campaigns leveraging our website and social media. Massequality also worked to educate the public about transgender people and the need for equal protections by securing an ordinance prohibiting the city of boston from contracting with vendors who do not offer transgender-inclusive health coverage and securing a public commitment from governor patrick to eliminate discrimination in transgender health coverage in public and private insurance.

through strategic coalition building with non-lgbtq allies, working with students, school administrators and local school committees to support the enactment of school-based anti-bullying guidelines, email communications, opinion editorials, online and print media, conferences and events, massequality educated the public about the need for express, statewide anti-bullying protections for lgbtq youth.

as the chair of the lgbtq issues working group of the nation's first statewide commission to study the challenges facing unaccompanied homeless youth, massequality worked to improve the competency of providers serving lgbtq homeless youth. Massequality also worked to educate the public about the need for improved services to support homeless, unaccompanied lgbtq youth through email communications, opinion editorials, online and print media, conferences and events.

massequality hosted the commonwealth's largest-ever lgbtq gubernatorial forum in order to educate voters on the candidates' positions on lgbtq issues. Massequality also educated its members and the public about issues facing the lgbtq community, including hiv/aids, intimate partner violence, health disparities, aging, and necessary social support services through email communications, social media, our website, opinion editorials, and placement of articles in print and online media outlets.