Coll. 030: Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth Collection Finding Aid

Title

Coll. 030: Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth Collection Finding Aid

Description

The Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth (GCGLY) was created by executive order on February 10, 1992 by Governor William Weld, in an effort to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth community. The Commission was formed to address diverse issues that face LGBT youth, including: discrimination and violence in school and family life, drug and alcohol abuse, runaways, high school dropouts, homelessness, and teenage suicide. On October 7, 1998, Governor A. Paul Cellucci expanded the powers of the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth and renewed the executive office’s commitment to combat suicide and violence affecting LGBT youth. The GCGLY functioned until mid-2006 when it was dissolved and replaced by the Massachusetts Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth which was established by the Massachusetts General Court on July 1st, 2006.

One of the major responsibilities of the GCGLY was the organization of an annual Gay/Straight Youth Pride March in Boston, the first planned march of its kind in the nation. The principle sponsors of the Youth Pride March were the Youth Committee of the GCGLY, with the co-sponsorship of area high schools and community organizations in support of LGBT youth. Every year from 1995 and 2007, thousands of LGBT youth and their supporters marched through the streets of Boston, listened to speeches in Copley Square, displayed student artwork and banners, participated in spirit contests and talent shows, and ended the march at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade with music, food, resource tables, and local vendors at a celebration party.

Another responsibility of the GCGLY was the Safe Schools and Colleges Program, which focused on school programming designed to create a secure and understanding environment for LGBT youth in Massachusetts middle schools, high schools, and colleges. The Safe Schools and Colleges Program offered mini-grants, awarding money to schools across Massachusetts for the establishment of Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs), support for LGBT club activities, participation in Youth Pride March, and other outreach activities in support of safe schools for LGBT youth. The Safe Schools Program also provided orientations for high school GSA leaders and members with ideas on how to start and run programs for LGBT students which would strengthen and support their community. The Safe Colleges Program also sponsored conferences of college GSAs and other LGBT organizations and leaders throughout the state, and awarded grants to college groups.

Identifier

THP-030

Citation

“Coll. 030: Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth Collection Finding Aid,” Documented | Digital Collections of The History Project, accessed March 28, 2024, https://historyproject.omeka.net/items/show/193.

Comments