Rev. Magora Kennedy is an African American lesbian activist who was born in 1938. She is from New York and still resides there today, where she remains active in fighting for equality. She was born into an era that not only looked down upon women, but did not accept homosexuals. In an interview, she discussed how it was expected of women to marry and to only marry a man. This created a lot of pressure on women to conform to what society believed they should be. She has five children, ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and still counting. Because of her activism, she was chosen to be the first keynote speaker at Boston’s first annual Pride march.

Boston Pride is an organization that seeks equality through education. They hold annual events, such as the Pride march, but there are numerous other events. The aim of the different events is to make community connections to help promote their cause of gaining respect. The events are open to the public, not just the openly out. One of the key focuses of the sponsored events is to raise awareness. If the community is aware of the issues the LGBT community faces on a daily bases, there is potential for understanding and acceptance.

Massachusetts has a long history of being proactive and creating opportunities to further various civil rights movements. Boston specifically has been home to many of these activists and/or organizations promoting equality. Within Boston, there have been organizations for furtheri­ng the rights of the LGBT youth (BAGLY) which is the nation’s first LGBT organization for youths and also led by youths. Arlington Street Church is where the first state and church sanctioned wedding among same sex couples occurred. The first openly gay state representative ran and won in Boston, Elaine Noble. Throughout Boston’s history, the town has furthered the movement towards complete equality.  

By: Jessica McKenzie

Credits and Sources:

Boston Pride. “About Boston Pride.” Boston Pride Committee. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.bostonpride.org/about/

Stonewall Rebellion Veterans Association. “Rev. Magora E. Kennedy. Stonewall Rebellion Veterans Association. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.stonewallvets.org/RevMagoraKennedy.htm

The History Project. “Black & Gay History Timeline.” The History Project. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.historyproject.org/resources/bgbw_timeline.php