The Commission was originally founded in 1992 by Governor William Weld as a response to high su***de risk among gay and le***an youth in the Commonwealth. That original Governor's Commission transformed in 2006 into an independent state agency established by law. Today, we are the Commission on Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Q***r, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth. The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ youth advises others in state government on effective policies, programs, and resources for LGBTQ youth. Our 50-member Commission and its staff issues annual recommendations to and works in partnership with eighteen state entities and the Legislature, to improve the lives of LGBTQ youth in Massachusetts. In partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Commission administers the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students. This program develops inclusive educational policy, practices, and curriculum, provides training and technical assistance to schools across the state, and organizes the statewide network of Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and the GSA Leadership Council. Information on this program can be found at https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/
