Mass. women’s commission stands by trans appointee amid ‘vicious online attack’

Local News

The woman received death threats after an article about her appointment spread through “the right-wing media pundit circle,” the commission says.

In August, Gov. Maura Healey appointed a transgender woman to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Last Friday, an article was published online that “incited hateful language and violent rhetoric” against the appointee, the MCSW said. The group released a lengthy statement Monday defending its new member and advocating for more support for the trans community in Massachusetts. 

The MCSW is an independent state agency “committed to advancing the rights and equal opportunities for all women and girls.” Gov. Healey and other lawmakers are responsible for appointing the 19 volunteer commissioners, who serve three-year terms. 

Healey appointed Giselle Byrd in August. Byrd is a Black trans woman who works as executive director of The Theater Offensive, a regional theater company that highlights queer and trans people of color. 

Months later, an article appeared in the online publication The Lion that said Healey “appointed a biologically male transgender activist” to the MCSW. The article claims that faith-based groups are criticizing the Healey administration for not “recognizing biological reality.” The Lion is a publication created by the Herzog Foundation, which works to “accelerate the development of quality Christ-centered K-12 education.”

That article, according to the MCSW, has spread widely through circles of right-wing pundits and media figures. The MCSW called the article “factually incorrect” and said that Byrd has faced death threats because of it. It condemned the violent rhetoric and stood by Byrd. 

Healey reaffirmed her support of Byrd as well. 

“Giselle Byrd is a highly respected leader in the Boston Arts community who is committed to the advancement of women,” Healey said in a statement. “The Commission has a bipartisan history of having LGBT representation, as Governor Baker appointed the first transgender woman to the Commission in 2016.”

Byrd introduced herself to MCSW members in a newsletter earlier this month. November is Transgender Awareness Month, and Byrd is working with the city of Boston to commemorate it. She will also be involved in a hearing session for transgender women and girls that the MCSW is convening next year. 

In its statement, the MCSW lamented the “alarming pattern of murders of trans women, particularly of trans women of color,” and referenced a “campaign of hateful anti-trans legislation” that is sweeping America. 

The article about Byrd and the subsequent response occurred during Transgender Awareness Week. On Thursday, Transgender Day of Remembrance will be honored through a flag installation memorial on Boston Common.  

The full statement from the MCSW can be read here:

MCSW Statement in Support of Commissioner Byrd by Ross Cristantiello