Official Statement in Support of Giselle Byrd

The Boston Women's Fund and the Equality Fund at the Boston Foundation stand with Giselle Byrd.

We write to you in solidarity and anger.



Giselle Byrd, Executive Director of The Theater Offensive and the first Black trans woman appointed to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, is facing a wave of hateful, targeted attacks. These are not critiques of policy or leadership—these are attempts to erase her humanity, discredit her identity, and cast doubt on her right to lead.

These attacks aren’t happening in isolation. They are part of a coordinated and growing effort to push LGBTQ+ people—especially trans women—out of public leadership, off commissions, out of the media, and back into invisibility. And we are not having it.

Giselle is a leader grounded in community, creativity, compassion, and courage. Her presence on the Commission is not just appropriate—it’s essential. Her leadership at The Theater Offensive builds safety, belonging, and joy for queer and trans people of color in Boston and beyond. She brings a deep understanding of what justice looks like when it’s lived out loud—and that is exactly why she’s being targeted.

We will not stay silent while this happens.

We will not let bigotry go unanswered.

We will not allow fear to decide who gets to lead.

Here’s how we show up — right now:

Sign On.

This letter is our public stand with Giselle Byrd. We encourage you to join us and lend your name in supporting Giselle. Use this quick form to sign.

Support Now.

Uplift the organization Giselle leads—The Theater Offensive—and support other local organizations working to protect, strengthen, and advance trans lives in Massachusetts.

Less than 0.05%—five cents of every $100 in U.S. charitable giving—goes to trans-serving organizations in our country. We must do better.

We urge philanthropic institutions and individual donors to correct that imbalance. Support organizations led by and for trans people in Massachusetts and beyond.

In addition to TTO, you can take action by supporting local organizations like Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), BAGLY, and the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts, to name a few, each doing critical, on-the-ground work to support trans lives across the Commonwealth.

Engage Relentlessly.

Talk to your networks about what’s happening—and about Giselle. Name the harm. Name the leadership. Name the stakes.

Learn what structural equity for trans people in Massachusetts actually requires—from policies and healthcare to housing, safety, and cultural power. Don’t stop at affirmation. 

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Reach out to Natanja or Scott directly—like so many of you, we are committed to moving resources, not just making statements.

This is a time to move.



If they come for one of us, they come for all of us. And we ask you to join us in meeting this moment with collective power, protection, and pride.

In Solidarity,

Natanja Craig Oquendo, CEO, The Boston Women’s Fund 

M. Scott Knox, Executive Director, The Equality Fund at the Boston Foundation