History

All our work began with the creation of the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth in 1992. The then Governor William F. Weld responded to shocking statistics outlined in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that showed GLB (T was not included) youth were more likely than their heterosexual peers to attempt suicide. Governor Weld termed the statistics an epidemic. Governor A. Paul Celluci solidified the Commonwealth's commitment to protecting the health of all Massachusetts' youth by renewing the Governor's Commission with an Executive Order in 1998.

Under Governor Mitt Romney the Commission's importance dropped. Funding was cut dramatically and programs were forcibly discontinued. A core group of individuals involved in the community sought to continue the forgotten programs of the Commission and created "The Friends". The Friends has provided complete financial backing for Youth Pride since 2005. Later, in his last few months in office, Governor Romney abolished the Commission (see Boston Globe article). This from the Governor who issued a proclamation declaring Massachusetts Youth Pride Day while in office.

Although this was a huge blow to the Commission, lawmakers responded and a new Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth was codified by the General Court of Massachusetts on July 1, 2006 (See: www.mass.gov/cgly).

We plan to continue supporting the vision of the Commissionas well as the annual Youth Pride Celebrations until it is no longer necessary.