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LGBTQ Rights

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When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

- Audre Lorde

Bryce began his advocacy work for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) rights when he was a 19-year-old trans and queer person living in East Tennessee. In Tennessee, Bryce volunteered his time working with high school students helping them start Gay, Straight Alliances (GSA's) in school environments that were often hostile. Simultaneously, Bryce also started advocating against Anti-LGBTQ legislation at the Tennessee State Legislature in Nashville, making frequent advocacy trips with the Tennessee Equality Project.  Since then Bryce has worked with young people on LGBTQ issues in Mississippi and worked as a field organizer to help make Maine become the first state to pass marriage equality at the ballot box in 2012. Bryce has also served on the board of several major LGBTQ organizations including the Massachusetts Commission for LGBTQ youth during his time as an undergraduate student.  Bryce believes that LGBTQ rights are fundamental human rights and that you cannot talk about LGBTQ rights without talking about economic, racial, gender, disability, and immigrant rights as well. 

He takes his inspiration from ancestral Black movement leaders such as Audre Lorde, Miss Major and Marsha P. Johnson. 

Bryce's Work on LGBTQ Rights

  • Extensive experience organizing, creating, and leading advocacy work in the Deep South - Tennessee and Mississippi in particular. 

  • Lobbying on Capitol Hill, and in state legislatures, in favor of LGBTQ safe schools legislation, non-discrimination ordinances, and transgender-inclusive policies. 

  • Managed program logistics and created a curriculum for the HBGC New Leaders Institute, a dynamic 14-week leadership development program specifically designed for LGBTQ youth of color in Boston & the surrounding area.

  • Trained social service providers and non-profit organizations across the DC, Maryland and Virginia area on topics surrounding transgender cultural competency in order to better serve the transgender* community, as a member of TransLaw: TransLegal Advocates of D.C.

  • Assisted with communications and social media work for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (now OutServe/SLDN) during the height of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal in 2011.

  • A former member of the Government Relations Committee at the Massachusetts Commission for LGBTQ Youth working to create better statewide policy, support systems, and programming for LGBTQ young people across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

  • Former field organizer in the Northern Maine office during the 2012 Mainers United for Marriage Campaign: Led voter engagement phonebanks and canvasses, trained and managed volunteers, and worked towards helping Maine become the first state in the country to pass Marriage Equality at the ballot box. 

  • Mentoring LGBTQ identified students; helping them get into college, map their professional and educational futures, and providing support. 

  • College Coach Article Feature: Applying to college as an LGBTQ Student

  • Point Foundation Mentor and Alum

  • Planned and coordinated conference logistics for LGBTQ conferences ranging from small local conferences (24-40 people) to large 2,000+ people conferences.

  • HBGC Colors of Love Conference

  • HBGC 5th Annual Youth Empowerment Conference

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Welcoming participants at the HBGC Colors of Love Conference.
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Tabling at the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference. 
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Co-Keynoting the 2018 Point Foundation National Leadership Conference Dinner alongside my mentee.
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Sharing experiences about being a Point Foundation Scholar with youth conference participants. 
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