I am committed to pushing for SOGI data collection in public health records. In the United States today, there remains a persistent lack of routine data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity, including the disparities that affect the LGBTQ population - leaving the challenges facing LGBTQ communities largely unmapped. This lack of data on sexual orientation and gender identity puts policymakers in unknown territory as they craft policies that have the potential to significantly affect the lives and wellbeing of LGBTQ people and their families. Comprehensive and accurate data on the LGBTQ population are needed to help direct support toward the programs and policies that most effectively provide services to communities in greatest need.

I am also a co-sponsor and supporter of the Healthy Youth Act, which would ensure medically accurate and age-appropriate sex education curricula is taught in public schools throughout the state. This curriculum recognizes and prioritizes the needs of LGBTQ+ youths, a demographic that struggles with the erasure in existing lesson plans. LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected by STIs, bullying, and sexual assault --- a systemic problem that begins with inadequate sex education. 

I have voted to support the LGBTQ community on every single issue that has ever come before the House during my tenure. The following chronology provides examples of some of the issues that I have been involved with during that time:

• Starting in 1987, I supported legislation then called the "Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill" which prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations. In 1989, when the bill was enacted, MA was only the 2nd state in the nation to pass such a law and voting for it was considered highly controversial. Back then, I received heated criticism from many of my constituents for my support of the legislation, but I was and remained proud of my votes.

• In 1990, I voted against anti-LGBTQ language that would have banned the LGBTQ community  from being foster or adoptive parents (1990 - Steve Pierce amendment).

• I supported the Hate Crimes Reporting Act, enacted in 1990.

• In 1996, I supported legislation, enacted into law, that added sexual orientation to the categories protected by Massachusetts hate crimes law. 

• In the 1990s, before the LGBTQ community was lobbying for marriage equality in our state, they focused on passing legislation to permit  Domestic Partnerships with spousal benefits. I signed on as an early supporter of that legislation, at a time when it was still considered radical by many elected officials and by many of my own constituents.

• In 1998, I supported a home rule petition to create Domestic Partnerships for the City of Boston. Unfortunately, Governor Cellucci vetoed the bill. 

• I opposed legislation filed in 1998 (before the Goodridge decision) which would have preemptively prohibited same-sex couples from marrying.

• Between 1998 and 2007, there were dozens of votes on bills and constitutional amendments to prohibit marriage equality by declaring that "only a marriage between a man and a woman would be deemed valid” in MA. I voted each and every time in support of the LGBTQ community because I believe strongly in their right to enjoy equal marriage rights. MA was the first state in the nation to defeat DOMA (the marriage equality ban) after it passed in over 30 other states. By defeating DOMA here, we made history in MA. We changed history in MA. I consider my votes in support of marriage equality to be some of my proudest moments as an elected official.

• In 2006, I supported legislation, enacted into law, to establish the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth as an independent yet state commission.

• In 2008, I supported legislation, enacted into law, to repeal the so-called "1913 law" because it would have prohibited most out of state same-sex couples from marrying in MA. 

• In 2010, I supported legislation, enacted into law, that requires schools to adopt clear procedures for reporting and investigating cases of bullying, as well as methods for preventing retaliation against those who report problems. Associated with reductions in bullying, depression and suicidal ideation among LGBT teenagers.

• In 2011, I supported legislation, enacted into law, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in credit, public and private employment, union practices and housing. 

• In 2011, I supported legislation, enacted into law, to allow transgender individuals to amend their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity. Sex reassignment surgery is not a requirement.

• In 2012, I supported legislation, enacted into law, adding the term "gender identity" to the state's hate crime statute. 

• In 2016, I supported legislation, enacted into law, that prohibits discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of gender identity. And in 2018 I supported the Massachusetts Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Initiative to uphold this law by public referendum. 

• In 2018, I supported legislation, enacted into law, the Negating Archaic Statutes Targeting Young Women Act - or NASTY Women Act, that officially repeals a 173-year-old law against “procuring a miscarriage.” 

• In 2018, I supported legislation, enacted into law, known as the “PATCH Act” (An Act to Protect Access to Confidential Healthcare) which prevents information regarding “sensitive health care services” from being shared with anyone other than the patient. 

• In 2019, I supported legislation, enacted into law, banning conversion therapy for LGBT minors.

Lastly, I have strongly supported every AIDs and HIV related issue and funding proposal during my entire tenure in the Legislature.