News  Second Annual MPS Pride Day celebrates LGBTQIA+ community and its history

Kneeling, left to right: Kristin Scribner, Training Services Operations Coordinator, and James Hotaling, Program Manager
Standing, left to right: Patricia Gavin, Training Director; Julie Grady, Administrative Coordinator; Nhi Tran, Administrative Assistant; Jude David, Program Manager; John Walsh, Senior Training Manager

This second annual celebration, hosted by the Massachusetts Probation Service’s Training Division, took place June 17th at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC) in Clinton. The event was open to the Clinton community.

First Deputy Commissioner Dianne Fasano, members of MPS’ LGBTQIA+ Instructors & MPS’ Training Team kicked off the day’s activities. James Shultis of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth shared information, terms, and data about young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ in the Commonwealth.

"We were excited to host MPS' Pride Day Celebration and learn about all of the important contributions and history of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as hear the poignant stories of the current generation. MPS is committed to hosting this informative and fun annual event and building on it each year," said First Deputy Commissioner Dianne Fasano.

Guest speakers—mother and daughter duo: Samantha and Irene Brank—spoke about life as a transgender youth and a mother’s story of support and challenges. Attendees played Pride trivia and decorated postcards, adding words of encouragement and support, which will be delivered to Massachusetts LGBTQIA+ organizations.

As guests entered MTOC, they found a space decorated with the rainbow colors of the LGBTQIA+ community, including welcoming flags, balloons, and painted stones with the word “PRIDE” along the walkway. A pop-up Photo Booth with the words “MPS Has Pride“ was set up for attendees to chronicle the day. Lunch was served on rainbow colored plates, napkins, cups, and tablecloths.

Gift bags filled with rainbow colored flag, stress ball, bracelet, and a “Safe Space” flyer, which promotes the courts a safe space for LGBTQIA+ court users, were distributed to guests. The campaign was introduced by Julie Grady, Training Unit Administrative Coordinator and a key organizer of MPS’ annual celebration.

"Having our community of Clinton take part in our event this year was such a great addition. I am really looking forward to future Pride events where we can continue to show our support to the LGBTQIA+ community," said Ms. Grady.

The day ended with a recording of “Harvey Milk’s 1977 “Hope Speech,” performed by Sir Ian McKellen followed by a brief discussion.

MPS became the first Massachusetts Trial Court department to offer trainings on how to effectively serve LGBTQIA+ court-users and is believed to be one of the first state court systems in the US to provide this specialized training and engage in outreach efforts to LGBTQIA+ court-users and the community.