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Respected Legislator, Cheryl Jacques, Comes Out

Is First Uncloseted State Senator in Massachusetts

Was Driven to Preserve Vital School Safety Funds

Compiled By GayToday

State Sen. Cheryl Jacques

Washington, D.C.-- The courage and honesty of Massachusetts state Sen. Cheryl Jacques was hailed yesterday by The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund for her recent decision to publicly acknowledge her sexual orientation, making her the first openly gay or lesbian state senator in Massachusetts.

Jacques, D-Needham, came out in the midst of a successful drive to preserve state funding for school safety programs that protect students from anti-gay violence and suicide.

"Sen. Jacques' decision to come out in a manner relevant to a very important public policy debate was both courageous and effective," said Brian K. Bond, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which helps elect outstanding openly gay and lesbian public servants as a means of securing equal rights.

"By coming out, she personalized an issue of fairness and helped her colleagues see that the right thing to do was to preserve her state's crucial school safety efforts. As more gay and lesbian elected officials come out while in office, we will see more of these sorts of victories for ending discrimination."

Funding for the Massachusetts Safe Schools Program for Gay and Lesbian Students was threatened due to pressure from an anti-gay group. With leadership from the state's openly gay and lesbian House members, Reps. Jarrett Barrios and Liz Malia, and from Sen. Jacques -- as well as their fair-minded non-gay colleagues -- funding was preserved for the life-saving program.

In an opinion piece appearing in the June 1 Boston Globe, Jacques explained the need for the state's efforts to help teens wrestling with sexual orientation issues. Noting that these students are especially vulnerable to hate violence and suicide, Jacques stated that "As a gay person, I understand in a very personal way the tremendous pressure these young people feel."

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A member of the state Senate leadership, Jacques is a former criminal prosecutor who is a leading advocate for public safety efforts that protect children. She is also widely recognized for her success in enacting the toughest gun safety law in the country.

"Sen. Jacques has been doing excellent work for all the families of her district, gay and straight alike," noted Bond. "Her constituents value her candor and her leadership on a whole host of issues, and I'm confident that she will continue to enjoy their strong support. Hopefully, more gay and lesbian elected officials throughout the country will look to her example and decide to come out. She illustrates that through open representation, our community can overcome discrimination."