Special to the Times-Free Press
Senator Lydia Edwards and Representative Adrian Madaro celebrated with an inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award, a newly-founded annual event that celebrates the rich accomplishments and talents of Massachusetts’ LGBTQ+ community.
“I’m excited to see East Boston well-represented at the State House for the inaugural Commonwealth Pride Awards!” said Representative Adrian C. Madaro (D-East Boston). “These new awards celebrate the lives and achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals in communities across the Commonwealth. East Boston is proud to have Debbie and Bryan representing our neighborhood! A lifelong Eastie resident and trailblazer and a dedicated educator respectively, they are role models for generations of Eastie residents!”
Debbie Baker is a lifelong member of the East Boston community. Born in the North End, Debbie grew up in the Maverick housing development in East Boston, a complex known for tough “old school” working-class people. Those who knew her recall Debbie being open about her identity for as long as they can remember. From the 1970s, a time when a lot of people continued to mask their sexual orientation for fear of stigma, Debbie was open about her sexuality, which made it easier for other people in the community to have the confidence to be open about themselves too.
Debbie’s pride in her identity was met with widespread acceptance from people in the neighborhood. In the late 1970s, Debbie and her partner were among the first to have a same-sex marriage ceremony. In attendance were many of the same working-class neighbors that Debbie had grown up with.
Debbie would go on to be a marshal in many early gay pride parades. Still an East Boston resident, she was the guest of honor at East Boston’s inaugural Pride Flag raising. Debbie was a pioneer for her time, someone who not only led the way in expressing her identity but also served as a role model for subsequent generations to follow in her path. East Boston is proud to claim Debbie as one of our own, celebrating her identity and those of the LGBTQ+ community in the neighborhood.
Bryan Bigelow grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and came to Boston in 2002 to attend Berklee College of Music. He has been an elementary school music teacher for 20 years, the last 12 of which he spent at the Donald McKay K-8 in East Boston. He has helped build a thriving music education program and worked with Disney to begin an annual musical theater program.
In addition to teaching, Bryan is also a Nutrition and CrossFit Coach at EastieFit, where he works with people in the community to improve their habits, fitness, and longevity.
Bryan’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom and the gym. Through his unwavering commitment to his community, his clients, and his students, he empowers others to grow in confidence, pursue their passions, and lead healthier, fuller lives.
“These awards honor the extraordinary contributions and achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals across the Commonwealth, and East Boston is proud to have Debbie and Bryan representing our community,” said Senator Lydia Edwards (D-East Boston). “Bryan has left his mark on East Boston from the classroom to the gym, dedicating himself to uplifting our neighbors and creating spaces where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. Alongside Debbie, whose lifelong advocacy and trailblazing leadership have strengthened our community, they exemplify the compassion, service, and pride that make East Boston so special.”
“We are proud to recognize all of the incredible LGBTQ+ leaders who make Massachusetts stronger every day. Here in Massachusetts, we’ve been leading the nation in the fight for freedom over generations. It began 251 years ago when we started a revolution that spearheaded our nation’s democracy, and has continued as the state that led on abolition, women’s rights, Civil Rights, and LGBTQ+ rights,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Today, we’re proud to be the state at the forefront of our nation’s freedoms and we will continue to ensure that Massachusetts remains a safe and welcoming place for all. We’re grateful to the LGBTQ+ Caucus for recognizing the impact of our state’s LGBTQ+ trailblazers, and offer a deep congratulations to the inaugural group of Commonwealth Pride awardees!”
“Among this year’s inaugural honorees are leaders representing countless professions, backgrounds, and experiences, but who share a common commitment: making their communities more welcoming, more inclusive, and more vibrant,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Together, they are the epitome of excellence and we’re thankful for what they contribute to our state. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, and happy Pride!”
“In Massachusetts, diversity is our strength—and I’m thrilled we are taking steps to formally recognize the amazing LGBTQ+ members of our communities,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Across our country, many people are feeling the strain of having to defend their dignity, as well as their right to even exist, while the democratic ideals that should protect us all are being eroded at the federal level. In Massachusetts, we will not only defend but celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors and loved ones. Congratulations to all of the individuals receiving recognition this year—and thank you for making Massachusetts your home.”
“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I want to congratulate those being honored today for the inaugural Commonwealth Pride Awards,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m grateful to the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus for highlighting the important contributions of the LGBTQ+ community here in the Commonwealth, and for the work that the caucus does to ensure that every person in Massachusetts is treated equally under the law.”
For the first time ever, the Caucus was proud to host the Commonwealth Pride Awards: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Excellence on the Hill. The event is slated to occur annually during Pride Month. The event honored 110+ community leaders, each nominated by their state legislators. The group spanned an enormous breadth of achievement and included public servants, advocates, doctors, authors, filmmakers, educators, historians, entrepreneurs, and religious leaders, highlighting the collective impact of the LGBTQ+ community.
“As co-chair of the Massachusetts Legislature’s LGBTQ+ Caucus, I’m proud of the Commonwealth’s nation-leading reputation on LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Much of our legislative success is intertwined with the boundless talent, leadership, and hard work of the LGBTQ+ community – people who stood up, turned out, and led the way,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “These awards are a wonderful way to celebrate those efforts and achievements and to shine a light on the fight to advance equality, inclusion, and protections for all.”
“Here in Massachusetts, we take immense pride in the innumerable contributions of LGBTQ+ people and the profoundly positive impact the queer community has on our Commonwealth,” Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) said. “We have long been a home for trailblazers, agitators, and pioneers in the LGBTQ+ movement, and the Commonwealth Pride Awards are about recognizing individuals from every corner of Massachusetts who carry that legacy into the future. Massachusetts is a more inclusive place for us all to live our most authentic lives thanks to today’s awardees.”
“A few years ago, some colleagues and I began talking about creating a Pride Awards celebration. We imagined a day during Pride Month when our community could gather under the golden dome and celebrate one another,” expressed Representative Jack Patrick Lewis (D-Framingham) “Today, we made that vision a reality. I am so honored to have helped establish this event, and I am forever grateful for the legislators, participants, and friends that made this possible.”
The Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, made up of the Commonwealth’s LGBTQ+ legislators, advocates for legislation relating to LGBTQ+ issues, provides networking and professional support for members, and commemorates the storied history of LGBTQ+ political advocacy in Massachusetts. Recent wins include expanding access to HIV-prevention services, protecting privacy in legal name changes, ensuring protections for LGBTQ+ students and seniors, and legislation safeguarding legal parentage for adoptive and other families under the Parentage Act.
Massachusetts has long served as a nationwide leader for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. In 2004, it became the first state to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Massachusetts became the first state in the country to support transgender protections through popular vote in 2018. It consistently ranks highly among U.S. states and territories in LGBTQ+ rights and social acceptance.