November 19, 2025 • 38 mins
In August, Gov. Maura Healey appointed Giselle Byrd, a trans woman to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. It’s an independent state agency focused on the advancement of women and girls toward full equity in all areas of life. Giselle has recently received death threats and racist, transphobic comments online after an article about her appointment spread. Giselle joined us on NightSide to discuss the threats against her, Gov. Healey’s support, and her position at the MCSW.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's night Side, Dan Ray on w b Z, Boston's
news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Welcome back every one nine o'clock hour here on Wednesday night,
as we moved through this very cold, blustering night out there,
Please stay warm if you're out and about, and we're
going to talk with my guest this hour and also
invite you to call and chat with her as well.
She's a trans woman. Her name is Giselle Bird. She
(00:28):
is the first African American trans woman to serve on
the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Her appointment
by Governor Healey drew some controversy and some unnecessary comments
in threats on various social media posts. And I've invited
(00:54):
Giselle to come on. There was some people who reached
out on her behalf. So Giselle, welcome to Nightside, and
thank you very much for being willing to join us
tonight on Nightside. How are you this evening?
Speaker 3 (01:09):
No, thank you so so much for having me Dan.
I am doing well all things considered. Thank you. How
are you well.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Let's just what I want to do is I want
to sort of get to some of the facts of
this case and then we can talk about why the
controversy seems to have intensified. You were actually appointed by
the governor to the Commission, the Massachusetts Commission on the
Status of Women, on in April of this year, so
(01:39):
over six months ago, April of twenty twenty five. You
are one of the state wide commission members. There were
only nineteen. They're also regional commissioners. But explain to me
and to my audience, because I knew that there was
a Commission on the Status of Women, but it's a
(01:59):
volunteer organization. You're not getting some big paycheck for doing this.
Tell us what the Massachusetts Commission or the status of
women here in massachu here in the state. What do
they what did they do? Do you have meetings? You
do you offer recommendations to the governor? Tell us about
the group.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
First of all, Now, absolutely, it is such any time
to speak for the Commission, is such a great opportunity
to discuss how we should advance the rights for all
women and girls of the Commonwealth. So the Commission, the
State Commission specifically, is made up of nineteen commissioners, and
(02:40):
it is an independent state agency that is charged with
reviewing the status of women and girls in Massachusetts. We
offer policy recommendations that would improve access to opportunities and
equality for all, because let's keep it really in, women
and girls throughout not only the Commonwealth, but throughout this
country deserve the right to lead thriving and abundant lives.
(03:05):
And so here in the Commonwealth, where it is often
said that we are a pioneer and the first and
the best at taking care of our constituents, the Mass
Commission on the Status of Women, which you'll hear me
referred to as MCSW, stands in solidarity and in that
place to ensure that these things happen. So we are
(03:29):
trying and working to create legislation. We are conducting listening
sessions with women and girls all throughout the Commonwealth. We're
hosting summits to help young girls aspire to their different careers,
and we're also giving opportunities for them to learn from us,
(03:50):
learn what we learn from the access that we had,
and learn about the things that they have access to
that we may not be aware of. You know, so
inspired by this young generation of people because they they
have no tolerance for inequity in any form of their lives.
(04:11):
And you know, just the other evening, we had a
listening session for women and girls throughout the Commonwealth, and
we have discussed so many issues that are affecting them
and they brought so much to light for us to
know what we need to be fighting for when we're
at the State House and when we're throughout the Commonwealth
(04:32):
meeting with our constituents and getting to know what we
can do as commissioners. So there are meetings that happen
throughout the month. I'm vice Chair of Programming and Planning.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Okay, Well, that's a great description and explanation of what
the Commission is charged to do.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
It.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I think the Commission has only been around for about
twenty years, if I'm not mistaken. I think it was
formed some time early in this the twenty first century.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Now ninety eight was when we started year I'm sorry,
nineteen ninety.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Eight, okay, so yeah, a little a little older than
twenty years. It's coming up on thirty years. Okay. So
you are a trans woman, and I think a lot
of the problems that exist I'm in the communication business
is a lot of people don't quite understand what your
(05:34):
status is. And since you are now a member of
the Commission of the Status of Women, let's we all
can get hung up on language, and I'm hoping that
you can help us understand the language a little bit better.
In our conversation today, you explained to me that your
(05:57):
birth agenda was male, but ever since you were around
five years old that you felt differently and you were
now a trans woman. So tell my audience, and it's
a wide audience in terms of age and viewpoints and
(06:18):
all of that. Explain to them so that there's clear
understanding for them in your status and what you represent
and whom you represent.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Absolutely. So I want to take a few steps back then,
because I think in twenty twenty five we have seen
a huge wave of trans representation and media and politics
and education and healthcare, and so I want to just
(06:56):
start there. You know, transgender people have always been here,
and so we have often been at the forefront of
a lot of civil rights issues throughout this country and
been on the backbone of them and been the backbone
of them, I should say, thinking about the Stonewall riots,
thinking about civil rights. Even there were some in these
(07:19):
suffaratist movements. So we have to recognize that transgender people
did not appear from anywhere. And also we are not
a monolith. So for me, I was raised by strong
black women from the American South. My granny survived the
Jim Crow era. My mother went to segregated schools up
(07:43):
until her middle school years, and they taught me very
clearly how to lead with love, compassion, acceptance, and those
key qualities helped me growing up understanding who I was
(08:04):
and ultimately allowed me to embrace the truth of my womanhood.
You know, it is really hard, I think, you know,
when you're growing up finding who you really want to
be and who you will be in this world. And
so for me, I wanted to be like my mother,
(08:27):
like my grandmother, and like my educators, who were these strong, bold,
dynamic women who helped create change in my life and
the lives of my friends.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
And so.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
When I realized that it was my truth, it was scary.
I'm a sebment because history has been harmful to trans women,
especially trans women of color. They're facing misogyny from nation
violence at unprecedented levels, and so coming into my womanhood,
(09:12):
I recognize that I would be tackling some of those
same things that my ancestors had as well. And when
we talk about my status as a trans woman, trans
women walk in this world very much like everyone else.
We simply want to lead a thriving and an abundant life.
(09:38):
And so when I was approached to be on the Commission,
it was almost a no brainer to go through the
process to be approved to join. You know, I've known
housing and food insecurity, I've understood many different systems of
oppression that a lot of my CIS gender sisters have experienced.
(10:04):
And so if I can help be a beacon and
a voice and advocate for their basic human rights, why not.
And so it's you know, womanhood of different experience, and
I think this is what makes our humanity so beautiful.
We all come into this world. We're born differently, we
live differently, and we all experience various ways of being
(10:29):
and I think what we have to start reminding ourselves
is that that is what has helped make this country
what it is. And when we look at the Mass
Commission on the Status of Women, they have always led
the charge. You know, I'm not the first trans woman
to serve on this commission. Sarah Schnor preceded me as
(10:52):
the first. And so the only difference between us is
our race.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
For some and for some reason, not interrupted Giselle, But
for some reason there was no h criticism or or
she served and I was unaware, I mean not that
I would need to be, but there was never any
sort of a public ruckus whatever word I'm trying to
(11:21):
you know, there was there There was no publicity or
about that, which again I was surprised. I follow things
in Massachusetts fairly closely, and I was surprised that you
were not the first trends woman to serve on the
(11:44):
Mass Commission on the Status of Women. We got to
take a quick commercial break here. My guest is Giselle Bird.
She is a first. She is on the Mass Commission
on the Status of Women. I do have some questions
for Chazelle uh, and I hope that some of you
might as well. I would remind you that any guest
(12:04):
on my program is like a guest in my home,
and there's no question that's inappropriate. There are comments that
are inappropriate, and I would remind you that if you
do call, whether you agree and support Gizelle one thousand percent,
or you have some questions or reservations or whatever, please
(12:28):
be polite and ask your questions directly or make your
comments directly, and we will have a conversation here on
knight said, as we do so often, Gizelle Bird will
be with us. I suspect for the balance of the hour.
I would hope and I would hope that some of
you might want to speak with her. And again, if
you want to support her in what she's doing, that's fine.
(12:52):
If you want to ask a question clarification, that's fine too.
Just I ask always be respectful to my guests as
I as I also expect my call callers for me
to be respectful to you. We'll take a quick break
if you'd like to join the conversation six one seven,
four ten thirty or six one seven nine three one
ten thirty. This is Nightside. My name's Dan Ray. Be
(13:14):
back right after these messages.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray. I'm w b Z,
Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Joselle Byrd. She is a trans woman, a member of
the a new member of the Massachusetts Commission on the
Status of Women. Her appointment did draw some critical comments,
uh and unfortunately, beyond that, there was some pretty nasty comments,
including threats that were posted on social media out uh platforms.
(13:48):
I guess we would we would call them Giselle. How
how upsetting? What was it for you to read and
be aware of some of these out and out threats
but also some of these outrageous comments that were directed
at you simply because you were appointed by Governor Haley
to the Commission on the Status of Women here in Massachusetts.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
You know, I have to be I am a bit
fragile in this moment, but I have to be honest, Dan.
It is traumatizing and heartbreaking.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
You know.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
The one comment that really sticks in my mind is
nothing a rope and a tree can't fix.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Yeah, that's pretty disgusting.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
That was one of the comments in response, and it,
you know, hates speech in and of itself is a
threat to my safety and the safety of my entire community.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And so did you get Was there some I hopefully
hopefully there was some support some reaction to those posts.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
You know, I wish I could say there was. I mean,
there have been many messages of support, which I have
been really blessed and fortunate to receive, especially those who
support my leadership not only at the mass Commission on
the Status of Women, but also in my role as
(15:26):
executive and artistic director of the theater. Offensive You know,
we've seen folks want to donate because they say, you've
got to continue this work, Gazelle. There are so many
young people looking up to you who need these safe
and sacred spaces for expression. But you know, these threats
happen in the middle of a very important week. It
(15:49):
is Trans Awareness Week. We're also in trans Awareness you know,
months as a whole, and that culminates in Trans Day
of Remembrance, which is tomorrow, where we honor the lives
of those we have loss due to anti trans violence
and also allies who have been lost in defending trans people.
(16:15):
And so we have culminated I, along with our planning
committee and my incredible coachare several days of events to
take action so that we don't have to live in
fear for our safety and that we can live and
walk outside of our homes with our heads held high
(16:37):
without having to look over our shoulder in the event
that someone wants to cause harm to us.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
By the way, you mentioned the Theater Offensive, I'm not
familiar with the theater, but you have served as the
executive director of the Theater Offensive in Boston, and you're
the first black transgender woman to lead a national theater
according to your biography, Gizelle, let me take a break.
We have it. We have news at the bottom of
the hour. I think that you have done a great
(17:06):
job introducing yourself, and I hope that some of our
callers will be kind and and call in and they
can ask questions. I have a few questions that I
want to ask, policy questions, and I'm sure you'll be
able to handle them. We got to take a break
at the bottom of the hour here for some news.
We get up. It's about a four minute break, so
(17:27):
you can stretch your legs, you can get a glass
of water, and we'll be back with you on air
for the balance of the hour in about three or
four minutes. Thanks for being here tonight six one seven,
two five four thirty six one seven nine. We'll be
back on night Side right after this.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray. I'm Boston's news Radio.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
I want to go to some phone calls for you, Giselle,
and I will see what what folks have to say.
We're going to start off with Karen in North Andover. Karen,
you were first this hour on night Side with Gizelle bird.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
Well, that is wonderful I'm so glad I was in
the car tonight, Dan, because I had the radio one.
I know that they weren't.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
By the way, they had this new invention. It's called
a portable radio. You could put it in your kitchen,
in your bedroom, anywhere you want.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Go ahead, Yes, you're right. It is a new invention.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
You don't have to drive your car into the house
in order to listen to side.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
It would not be a good thing. Missus Bird, thank
you so much for being such a brave person coming
on the air, but all the other things you're doing
for women and for really, if you're helping women, Giselle,
you're helping everyone.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Thank you, Thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
Karen, you're welcome. And I would have a question for you.
I live in North Andover and this area, this area
of Massachusetts is called by some of us the Valley
of the Poets, and there's the main reason for that
because of the four concentric towns that are all with
(19:16):
amazing poets who lived right here in our living right here.
I just came from a moon in Harol. But I
would really like to invite your committee to come up
and see what we're doing here in North Andover. Harol
and Over and Lawrence for poetry for health. Poetry gives
(19:43):
people peace. That's why we do it.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
So how can gazelle et most easily get in touch
with you? Karen or Gazelle? Conversely? Can you give Karen
a website of some sort where she could contact the
Mission on the Status of Women? Which which would work easier?
Speaker 4 (20:04):
I think even if you reach Michael Bobbitt in mass
poetry culture, I'm sorry, mass friend of mine, always a
wonderful man. Oh my gosh, we could go for an
hour about Michael. He knows really, yes, he knows me.
I last I saw if him was last month in
(20:26):
uh in a meeting in Oh shoot, I can't think
of the name of the town cumber Cumberton, come.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
There, could Rhode Island. That's the only Cumberland, not Cumberland,
Cummington in western Massachusetts.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
It is, it is, it's not too far from Greenfield.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Well, since you haven't, since you have a mutual friend
who you both know, I'm sure that one of you
can contact and set and set that up. And I'm
glad that.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
People and asked him. He'll catch my information.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
I will shoot him a note once we are done here.
I would love love love to you. There has been
a great, great resurgence of poetry. You know, some of
our young people at theater Offensive Yes have become amazing,
brilliant poets.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
And and then we have our brand new poet Laureate
of Massage finally exactly Reggie Gibson. Do you know Reggie?
Speaker 3 (21:30):
I met Reggie briefly at Okay, it was at Advocacy
Day mass Creative. So his work is so brilliant and fascinating.
Also been you know, as an arts leader, I've been
going around the Commonwealth. And so there's another there's a
(21:51):
new pop up series that happens monthly called free Verse
that is like, yes, is the lovely girl.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Who is doing so much on w z TV with
all of the poetry?
Speaker 2 (22:09):
All right, well, how do you become a poet? Lawry?
Who who appoints the poet laureate or is there.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
A the town decides on the poet laureate, But we
have a committee.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Each town has a poet Laureate in Massache.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Well, we hope to hope every city, town and village
and in America will eventually have a poet Laureate. The
value is inestimable.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
All right.
Speaker 4 (22:35):
You cannot you cannot measure it, Karen.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Some night we should do something more on poetry. But
for now, I'm going to get back to Giselle.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
And I'm going to thank you.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
I hope you guys get together and and finally get
a chance to meet.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Thank you, Karen, appreciate you well much.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Goods in the house. You never know what you're missing.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
I will do that.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Good night. Let me go next to Mary Ann in Westford, Massachusetts,
and you're on with Ghoselle Bird. She's a trans woman
the well. I don't know if she's the latest member
of the but a recent member to the Massachusetts Commission
on the Status of Women.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Yes, hello, can you hear me?
Speaker 2 (23:16):
We can hear you. Find you go right ahead. You're
on with Chaselle. Go right ahead, Marianne.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Oh great, thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (23:23):
I just want to make the comment is that I
was a mass Commission on the Status of Women commissioner
for twenty five years and appointed by Governor Salucci and
sworn in by Governor Swift, and Giselle you summarized the
Commission's mission perfectly. Is you are the air for the
(23:46):
advancement and the advocacy of women and girls across Massachusetts,
and you are going to do an awesome job. And
thank you because Dan, you are right, the commissioners do
not get paid. It is a volunteer position. You put
ours and a lot of effort into the job. And
(24:06):
thank you so much, Giselle. We really really appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
And that's it.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
I just wanted to call in and say thank you, no,
thank you so much, and I thank you for your service.
And I hope that we get to meet through the
Commissions events over the next year. Thank you absolutely. I
would love to thank you.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Marian. We'll talk soon. Thank you very much. Appreciate your
call again. Six one seven, two, five, four ten thirty
or six one seven, nine three one ten thirty. Gezelle,
let me ask you a couple of questions that I'm
sure some people have in their minds and I have
in my mind in all honesty, okays, as a member
of the Commission on the Status of Women, there are
(24:49):
several issues that are vexing people, and we can go
through some of them, but I want to get your
thoughts from your perspective. Uh, And I don't know if
your thoughts are predictable or unpredictable. So and I have
no idea, so let me let me start off with yeh,
(25:09):
there is a healthy debate, particularly amongst women, but also
amongst men and women about boys participating in some high
school sports on girls teams. Now, uh, each situation is
(25:29):
probably somewhat different, but there have been some girls teams
that have said they would not compete against a team
that was populated by boys. There have been some girls
who in some of these I think it was in
a field hockey team, in a field hockey game, who
was injured. Boys do have more physical strength than young
(25:55):
than women or than than girls. As someone who is
on the commission, you know, dealing with the status of
women in Massachusetts, on what side of the fence on
those those issues do you do you fall or do
you think these status of women should boys be allowed
to compete in high school sports. I can see when
(26:19):
kids are young, when they're doing oh T ball and
and kindy and soccer in the elementary school, you know,
through like the third grade. But there comes a point
in time where boys are a little stronger and and
and and and can cause uh, can cause injuries. Then
there's a lot of parents as a matter of fact,
(26:39):
UH Congressman Seth Moulton UH commented on that a couple
of months ago. It was criticized by a lot of
people for his comments, and he was supported by other people.
What's your thought on that?
Speaker 3 (26:51):
So I want to take a few again. I'm going
to take a few steps back then, because you quite
frankly confuse me by saying that there are boys who
want to play high school sports. And so I'm going, well, yeah,
a lot of boys play high school sports. On what
(27:14):
you're saying, trans girls, it's trans girls, it's young trans
girls who are wanting to play sports.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
I'm sure. I'm not sure that the boys on some
of these schools there's no boys girls hote a girl's
field hockey team, as they say, the situations can be
somewhat different. And I'm talking about a boy, you know,
not a trans a trans girl, but a boy who,
(27:44):
let us say, you know, is not going to play
football or baseball. That's not his his interest. His interests
might be in in a sport that is predominantly a
girl sport, which would be let us say, field hockey.
There might be a girls field hockey team, but not
a boys field hockey team. That's that's what I was
talking about.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
Well, you brought up Seth Multon. Seth Maulton's commentary was
around trans girls in distort. So I want to just
make sure that we're clear. Are we talking about trans
girls or boy or boys?
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Well, let's talk about both if there's if there is
a significant difference. I'm I'm speaking from the from the
asking the question, which some people in my audience I'm
sure are thinking about the question, and if they don't
want to call it, ask the question, I'm going to ask.
I'll ask the question so you could take it from
whichever perspective you would like or deal with both of them.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
No, absolutely, So I it's really first and foremost coming
down to respect. So we have to think about you know,
as I serve on the Commission protecting and advancing the
rights of all young women and girls, there is respect
that has to come into play here when addressing them.
(29:03):
And so I would address these young people as trans
girls who are wanting to play in on a women's team.
So you say that is where Seth Malton's commentary came
into play, I won't go through go ahead. So that
is and that is also the debate that has spread
(29:24):
quite frankly widely across this country. I think we have
to look to medicine, which has done studies on any
type of advantage, which it was proven that there is
no advantage, which for France girls playing in sports, it
was proven very clearly. And so this has often come
(29:46):
up to bates, did we lose you there, Zelle, I'm here.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
We just we dropped the audio dropped out, go ahead.
I was afraid.
Speaker 3 (30:02):
What I was getting to was we are starting to
lose the big picture here. As a young person having
access to recreational sports that are affirming and that alignment
gender identity are pivotal, we have to recognize that they
(30:25):
are a part of building community, building fellowship with folks
who may share the same identity, or folks who are
of and seeing, you know, adolescence and a very unprecedented moment.
And so we have to also think about this on
a larger scale. Is these you know you think about
(30:48):
being in the drama club at your school, or your
friends who are all on the football team together, Those
connections and that camaraderie really helps navigate you through your
at a lie lessons. It makes you feel less alone.
It makes you feel supported, and we have to start
thinking about our young people who are living in a
(31:09):
very volatile time. Then you should be able to have
access to any type of affirming space that they need.
And it is important why we also have to be
rather clear and very very sensitive around the fact that
(31:30):
everyone deserves the right to turn affirming care bodily autonomy.
And so yeah, that's fine, let.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Me do this. I got to take a quick break.
We come back. I got a couple more questions. I
think you gave a good, clear answer. I understand your answer,
and hopefully my audience understands your answer as well. But well,
take a quick break. This is a quick one. We'll
be back with a final comment from Giselle. And if
you'd like to call, I've got a couple of lines
that are opening. I'll try to get you in six one, seven.
(32:00):
We're ten thirty back on night Side. Right after this.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news Radio.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Back with Giselle Byrd, a recent appointee to the Massachusetts
Commission of the Status of Women. Giselle, I'm going to
try to get another call in, but just to clarify
what I was at where I was getting at is
that the Olympic Committee, the IOC, the International Olympic Committee,
according to the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times,
(32:30):
is moving toward restricting transgender athletes from participating in the Olympics.
As you know, what is your thought, and again I
think I can figure it out here, But what is
your thought on trans women in athletic clubs where there
(32:52):
were men and women's locker rooms. I don't want to anticipate,
but if you can give me a quick response on that,
we'll try to get a couple of more callers in
here as well.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
So, okay, this one comes back to respect, but also
it comes back to gender identity in how you express yourself.
So trans women are women. They have a very different
experience of womanhood, but at the end of the day,
(33:27):
we are women. So therefore, you know, I think this
is going beyond locker rooms, to be honest, and we're
now getting into bathrooms in general. We should be allowed
to go to the bathroom of our gender identity, or
there should be gender neutral restrooms.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
But I think, as you know, there are a lot
of restaurants now that have gender neutral bathrooms exactly, and
those tend to be smaller. You know, bathrooms that one
person might use. I think we're very comfortable with that. Okay,
that's great. I just wanted to again give you a
(34:09):
chance to express. Let me grab another caller or two
for you here. We are a little tight on time,
so I'm going to ask the callers to get right
to it. Jeff and Abington. Jeff, you're on with Giselle Bird.
You've called late. If you have a quick comment or a.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
Question, you'd be quiet.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
I could talk.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Well, you know what, Jeff, that's not going to help
you here. If if you want to ask a question, fine,
if you want to be a wise guy, we can
move on your choice.
Speaker 4 (34:36):
I want to ask a question. Did you guess say
that boys don't have an ad advantage?
Speaker 3 (34:44):
Yes? I want to leave that.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
I believe that's what she said, Jeff.
Speaker 4 (34:47):
Because boys don't have an advantage of sports, she said,
disqualify her.
Speaker 2 (34:53):
Well, okay, does not disqualify for her opinion. Jeff, appreciate
your call. Let me go to Iris Irish. You're next
on Nightsick, go right ahead.
Speaker 6 (35:03):
Yes, I feel that transcend the I think the girls
shouldn't the boys shouldn't play with the girls. Because even
though they called they want to be a woman, they're not.
They're still stronger than the regular girls.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Okay, let me get let me get you Zelle to
comment on your on your comment. Thank you for you.
Don't go away, stay right there and thank you for
your comment. Yourselle. Please feel free to comment on what
Iris has to say. You don't need to comment on
what Jeff had to say. Trust me. Okay, go ahead, Well.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
Iris, I appreciate your opinion. That's the beauty of our humanity.
We all have difference of opinion. And again, I think
science has proven that there is not always an advantage here.
And again, as I said earlier, it's around respect, which
I was talking to Dan about earlier. The conversations that
(36:01):
have been had have been about trans girls wanting to
play sports, not boys wanting to play women's in girls' sports.
So we just need to make sure we understand that clarity.
Because I heard you where you said, I understand that
people want to transition, and that you know that that's okay,
(36:24):
which is a goodful thing.
Speaker 6 (36:25):
They're still stronger, They're still stronger than the average girl.
How do you think they should go? I don't think
they should go in the same locker rooms with the girls.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
Okay, Irish, I think you've made your your points very
very clearly. You've done it respectfully, and I thank you
for calling. But I wish you so much.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
I thanks Iris, and you can do anything for you
please let us know.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Okay, thank you, Irish. Yeah, just for clarification yourself. There
are some boys in Massachusetts who are playing on girls
teams because if the sport is not offered as a
boys sport. That I was talking not only about some
actual you know, boys who I still identify as boys
(37:14):
playing on girls field hockey teams for example, And then
there are other questions of again trans girls who who
at birth might be male, but they want to play
on a girls team that competing the girls team. Giselle,
thank you so much for your time tonight. I hope
(37:37):
you feel that you had a good opportunity to express yourself.
I appreciate you coming on here. I think our callers
were very respectful, and I hope you feel that we
had a good experience and we can do this again.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
No, absolutely, I'm love that all right, have.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
A great night and best of luck, and hopefully people
will underst stand that it takes no courage. It takes
a lot of courage for what you do, but it
takes no courage for someone to sit behind a computer
screen and issue a vile comment or a threat. So, uh,
stay stay safe and stay well. Okay, thank you yourself.
(38:19):
All right, goodnight. Here comes the news at the top
of the arrow.
It's night Side, Dan Ray on w b Z, Boston's
news radio.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Welcome back every one nine o'clock hour here on Wednesday night,
as we moved through this very cold, blustering night out there,
Please stay warm if you're out and about, and we're
going to talk with my guest this hour and also
invite you to call and chat with her as well.
She's a trans woman. Her name is Giselle Bird. She
(00:28):
is the first African American trans woman to serve on
the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Her appointment
by Governor Healey drew some controversy and some unnecessary comments
in threats on various social media posts. And I've invited
(00:54):
Giselle to come on. There was some people who reached
out on her behalf. So Giselle, welcome to Nightside, and
thank you very much for being willing to join us
tonight on Nightside. How are you this evening?
Speaker 3 (01:09):
No, thank you so so much for having me Dan.
I am doing well all things considered. Thank you. How
are you well.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Let's just what I want to do is I want
to sort of get to some of the facts of
this case and then we can talk about why the
controversy seems to have intensified. You were actually appointed by
the governor to the Commission, the Massachusetts Commission on the
Status of Women, on in April of this year, so
(01:39):
over six months ago, April of twenty twenty five. You
are one of the state wide commission members. There were
only nineteen. They're also regional commissioners. But explain to me
and to my audience, because I knew that there was
a Commission on the Status of Women, but it's a
(01:59):
volunteer organization. You're not getting some big paycheck for doing this.
Tell us what the Massachusetts Commission or the status of
women here in massachu here in the state. What do
they what did they do? Do you have meetings? You
do you offer recommendations to the governor? Tell us about
the group.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
First of all, Now, absolutely, it is such any time
to speak for the Commission, is such a great opportunity
to discuss how we should advance the rights for all
women and girls of the Commonwealth. So the Commission, the
State Commission specifically, is made up of nineteen commissioners, and
(02:40):
it is an independent state agency that is charged with
reviewing the status of women and girls in Massachusetts. We
offer policy recommendations that would improve access to opportunities and
equality for all, because let's keep it really in, women
and girls throughout not only the Commonwealth, but throughout this
country deserve the right to lead thriving and abundant lives.
(03:05):
And so here in the Commonwealth, where it is often
said that we are a pioneer and the first and
the best at taking care of our constituents, the Mass
Commission on the Status of Women, which you'll hear me
referred to as MCSW, stands in solidarity and in that
place to ensure that these things happen. So we are
(03:29):
trying and working to create legislation. We are conducting listening
sessions with women and girls all throughout the Commonwealth. We're
hosting summits to help young girls aspire to their different careers,
and we're also giving opportunities for them to learn from us,
(03:50):
learn what we learn from the access that we had,
and learn about the things that they have access to
that we may not be aware of. You know, so
inspired by this young generation of people because they they
have no tolerance for inequity in any form of their lives.
(04:11):
And you know, just the other evening, we had a
listening session for women and girls throughout the Commonwealth, and
we have discussed so many issues that are affecting them
and they brought so much to light for us to
know what we need to be fighting for when we're
at the State House and when we're throughout the Commonwealth
(04:32):
meeting with our constituents and getting to know what we
can do as commissioners. So there are meetings that happen
throughout the month. I'm vice Chair of Programming and Planning.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Okay, Well, that's a great description and explanation of what
the Commission is charged to do.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
It.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I think the Commission has only been around for about
twenty years, if I'm not mistaken. I think it was
formed some time early in this the twenty first century.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Now ninety eight was when we started year I'm sorry,
nineteen ninety.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Eight, okay, so yeah, a little a little older than
twenty years. It's coming up on thirty years. Okay. So
you are a trans woman, and I think a lot
of the problems that exist I'm in the communication business
is a lot of people don't quite understand what your
(05:34):
status is. And since you are now a member of
the Commission of the Status of Women, let's we all
can get hung up on language, and I'm hoping that
you can help us understand the language a little bit better.
In our conversation today, you explained to me that your
(05:57):
birth agenda was male, but ever since you were around
five years old that you felt differently and you were
now a trans woman. So tell my audience, and it's
a wide audience in terms of age and viewpoints and
(06:18):
all of that. Explain to them so that there's clear
understanding for them in your status and what you represent
and whom you represent.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Absolutely. So I want to take a few steps back then,
because I think in twenty twenty five we have seen
a huge wave of trans representation and media and politics
and education and healthcare, and so I want to just
(06:56):
start there. You know, transgender people have always been here,
and so we have often been at the forefront of
a lot of civil rights issues throughout this country and
been on the backbone of them and been the backbone
of them, I should say, thinking about the Stonewall riots,
thinking about civil rights. Even there were some in these
(07:19):
suffaratist movements. So we have to recognize that transgender people
did not appear from anywhere. And also we are not
a monolith. So for me, I was raised by strong
black women from the American South. My granny survived the
Jim Crow era. My mother went to segregated schools up
(07:43):
until her middle school years, and they taught me very
clearly how to lead with love, compassion, acceptance, and those
key qualities helped me growing up understanding who I was
(08:04):
and ultimately allowed me to embrace the truth of my womanhood.
You know, it is really hard, I think, you know,
when you're growing up finding who you really want to
be and who you will be in this world. And
so for me, I wanted to be like my mother,
(08:27):
like my grandmother, and like my educators, who were these strong, bold,
dynamic women who helped create change in my life and
the lives of my friends.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
And so.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
When I realized that it was my truth, it was scary.
I'm a sebment because history has been harmful to trans women,
especially trans women of color. They're facing misogyny from nation
violence at unprecedented levels, and so coming into my womanhood,
(09:12):
I recognize that I would be tackling some of those
same things that my ancestors had as well. And when
we talk about my status as a trans woman, trans
women walk in this world very much like everyone else.
We simply want to lead a thriving and an abundant life.
(09:38):
And so when I was approached to be on the Commission,
it was almost a no brainer to go through the
process to be approved to join. You know, I've known
housing and food insecurity, I've understood many different systems of
oppression that a lot of my CIS gender sisters have experienced.
(10:04):
And so if I can help be a beacon and
a voice and advocate for their basic human rights, why not.
And so it's you know, womanhood of different experience, and
I think this is what makes our humanity so beautiful.
We all come into this world. We're born differently, we
live differently, and we all experience various ways of being
(10:29):
and I think what we have to start reminding ourselves
is that that is what has helped make this country
what it is. And when we look at the Mass
Commission on the Status of Women, they have always led
the charge. You know, I'm not the first trans woman
to serve on this commission. Sarah Schnor preceded me as
(10:52):
the first. And so the only difference between us is
our race.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
For some and for some reason, not interrupted Giselle, But
for some reason there was no h criticism or or
she served and I was unaware, I mean not that
I would need to be, but there was never any
sort of a public ruckus whatever word I'm trying to
(11:21):
you know, there was there There was no publicity or
about that, which again I was surprised. I follow things
in Massachusetts fairly closely, and I was surprised that you
were not the first trends woman to serve on the
(11:44):
Mass Commission on the Status of Women. We got to
take a quick commercial break here. My guest is Giselle Bird.
She is a first. She is on the Mass Commission
on the Status of Women. I do have some questions
for Chazelle uh, and I hope that some of you
might as well. I would remind you that any guest
(12:04):
on my program is like a guest in my home,
and there's no question that's inappropriate. There are comments that
are inappropriate, and I would remind you that if you
do call, whether you agree and support Gizelle one thousand percent,
or you have some questions or reservations or whatever, please
(12:28):
be polite and ask your questions directly or make your
comments directly, and we will have a conversation here on
knight said, as we do so often, Gizelle Bird will
be with us. I suspect for the balance of the hour.
I would hope and I would hope that some of
you might want to speak with her. And again, if
you want to support her in what she's doing, that's fine.
(12:52):
If you want to ask a question clarification, that's fine too.
Just I ask always be respectful to my guests as
I as I also expect my call callers for me
to be respectful to you. We'll take a quick break
if you'd like to join the conversation six one seven,
four ten thirty or six one seven nine three one
ten thirty. This is Nightside. My name's Dan Ray. Be
(13:14):
back right after these messages.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray. I'm w b Z,
Boston's news radio.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Joselle Byrd. She is a trans woman, a member of
the a new member of the Massachusetts Commission on the
Status of Women. Her appointment did draw some critical comments,
uh and unfortunately, beyond that, there was some pretty nasty comments,
including threats that were posted on social media out uh platforms.
(13:48):
I guess we would we would call them Giselle. How
how upsetting? What was it for you to read and
be aware of some of these out and out threats
but also some of these outrageous comments that were directed
at you simply because you were appointed by Governor Haley
to the Commission on the Status of Women here in Massachusetts.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
You know, I have to be I am a bit
fragile in this moment, but I have to be honest, Dan.
It is traumatizing and heartbreaking.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
You know.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
The one comment that really sticks in my mind is
nothing a rope and a tree can't fix.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Yeah, that's pretty disgusting.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
That was one of the comments in response, and it,
you know, hates speech in and of itself is a
threat to my safety and the safety of my entire community.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And so did you get Was there some I hopefully
hopefully there was some support some reaction to those posts.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
You know, I wish I could say there was. I mean,
there have been many messages of support, which I have
been really blessed and fortunate to receive, especially those who
support my leadership not only at the mass Commission on
the Status of Women, but also in my role as
(15:26):
executive and artistic director of the theater. Offensive You know,
we've seen folks want to donate because they say, you've
got to continue this work, Gazelle. There are so many
young people looking up to you who need these safe
and sacred spaces for expression. But you know, these threats
happen in the middle of a very important week. It
(15:49):
is Trans Awareness Week. We're also in trans Awareness you know,
months as a whole, and that culminates in Trans Day
of Remembrance, which is tomorrow, where we honor the lives
of those we have loss due to anti trans violence
and also allies who have been lost in defending trans people.
(16:15):
And so we have culminated I, along with our planning
committee and my incredible coachare several days of events to
take action so that we don't have to live in
fear for our safety and that we can live and
walk outside of our homes with our heads held high
(16:37):
without having to look over our shoulder in the event
that someone wants to cause harm to us.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
By the way, you mentioned the Theater Offensive, I'm not
familiar with the theater, but you have served as the
executive director of the Theater Offensive in Boston, and you're
the first black transgender woman to lead a national theater
according to your biography, Gizelle, let me take a break.
We have it. We have news at the bottom of
the hour. I think that you have done a great
(17:06):
job introducing yourself, and I hope that some of our
callers will be kind and and call in and they
can ask questions. I have a few questions that I
want to ask, policy questions, and I'm sure you'll be
able to handle them. We got to take a break
at the bottom of the hour here for some news.
We get up. It's about a four minute break, so
(17:27):
you can stretch your legs, you can get a glass
of water, and we'll be back with you on air
for the balance of the hour in about three or
four minutes. Thanks for being here tonight six one seven,
two five four thirty six one seven nine. We'll be
back on night Side right after this.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray. I'm Boston's news Radio.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
I want to go to some phone calls for you, Giselle,
and I will see what what folks have to say.
We're going to start off with Karen in North Andover. Karen,
you were first this hour on night Side with Gizelle bird.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
Well, that is wonderful I'm so glad I was in
the car tonight, Dan, because I had the radio one.
I know that they weren't.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
By the way, they had this new invention. It's called
a portable radio. You could put it in your kitchen,
in your bedroom, anywhere you want.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Go ahead, Yes, you're right. It is a new invention.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
You don't have to drive your car into the house
in order to listen to side.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
It would not be a good thing. Missus Bird, thank
you so much for being such a brave person coming
on the air, but all the other things you're doing
for women and for really, if you're helping women, Giselle,
you're helping everyone.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Thank you, Thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
Karen, you're welcome. And I would have a question for you.
I live in North Andover and this area, this area
of Massachusetts is called by some of us the Valley
of the Poets, and there's the main reason for that
because of the four concentric towns that are all with
(19:16):
amazing poets who lived right here in our living right here.
I just came from a moon in Harol. But I
would really like to invite your committee to come up
and see what we're doing here in North Andover. Harol
and Over and Lawrence for poetry for health. Poetry gives
(19:43):
people peace. That's why we do it.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
So how can gazelle et most easily get in touch
with you? Karen or Gazelle? Conversely? Can you give Karen
a website of some sort where she could contact the
Mission on the Status of Women? Which which would work easier?
Speaker 4 (20:04):
I think even if you reach Michael Bobbitt in mass
poetry culture, I'm sorry, mass friend of mine, always a
wonderful man. Oh my gosh, we could go for an
hour about Michael. He knows really, yes, he knows me.
I last I saw if him was last month in
(20:26):
uh in a meeting in Oh shoot, I can't think
of the name of the town cumber Cumberton, come.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
There, could Rhode Island. That's the only Cumberland, not Cumberland,
Cummington in western Massachusetts.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
It is, it is, it's not too far from Greenfield.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Well, since you haven't, since you have a mutual friend
who you both know, I'm sure that one of you
can contact and set and set that up. And I'm
glad that.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
People and asked him. He'll catch my information.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
I will shoot him a note once we are done here.
I would love love love to you. There has been
a great, great resurgence of poetry. You know, some of
our young people at theater Offensive Yes have become amazing,
brilliant poets.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
And and then we have our brand new poet Laureate
of Massage finally exactly Reggie Gibson. Do you know Reggie?
Speaker 3 (21:30):
I met Reggie briefly at Okay, it was at Advocacy
Day mass Creative. So his work is so brilliant and fascinating.
Also been you know, as an arts leader, I've been
going around the Commonwealth. And so there's another there's a
(21:51):
new pop up series that happens monthly called free Verse
that is like, yes, is the lovely girl.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Who is doing so much on w z TV with
all of the poetry?
Speaker 2 (22:09):
All right, well, how do you become a poet? Lawry?
Who who appoints the poet laureate or is there.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
A the town decides on the poet laureate, But we
have a committee.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Each town has a poet Laureate in Massache.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Well, we hope to hope every city, town and village
and in America will eventually have a poet Laureate. The
value is inestimable.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
All right.
Speaker 4 (22:35):
You cannot you cannot measure it, Karen.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Some night we should do something more on poetry. But
for now, I'm going to get back to Giselle.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
And I'm going to thank you.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
I hope you guys get together and and finally get
a chance to meet.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Thank you, Karen, appreciate you well much.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Goods in the house. You never know what you're missing.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
I will do that.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
Good night. Let me go next to Mary Ann in Westford, Massachusetts,
and you're on with Ghoselle Bird. She's a trans woman
the well. I don't know if she's the latest member
of the but a recent member to the Massachusetts Commission
on the Status of Women.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Yes, hello, can you hear me?
Speaker 2 (23:16):
We can hear you. Find you go right ahead. You're
on with Chaselle. Go right ahead, Marianne.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Oh great, thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (23:23):
I just want to make the comment is that I
was a mass Commission on the Status of Women commissioner
for twenty five years and appointed by Governor Salucci and
sworn in by Governor Swift, and Giselle you summarized the
Commission's mission perfectly. Is you are the air for the
(23:46):
advancement and the advocacy of women and girls across Massachusetts,
and you are going to do an awesome job. And
thank you because Dan, you are right, the commissioners do
not get paid. It is a volunteer position. You put
ours and a lot of effort into the job. And
(24:06):
thank you so much, Giselle. We really really appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (24:10):
And that's it.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
I just wanted to call in and say thank you, no,
thank you so much, and I thank you for your service.
And I hope that we get to meet through the
Commissions events over the next year. Thank you absolutely. I
would love to thank you.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Marian. We'll talk soon. Thank you very much. Appreciate your
call again. Six one seven, two, five, four ten thirty
or six one seven, nine three one ten thirty. Gezelle,
let me ask you a couple of questions that I'm
sure some people have in their minds and I have
in my mind in all honesty, okays, as a member
of the Commission on the Status of Women, there are
(24:49):
several issues that are vexing people, and we can go
through some of them, but I want to get your
thoughts from your perspective. Uh, And I don't know if
your thoughts are predictable or unpredictable. So and I have
no idea, so let me let me start off with yeh,
(25:09):
there is a healthy debate, particularly amongst women, but also
amongst men and women about boys participating in some high
school sports on girls teams. Now, uh, each situation is
(25:29):
probably somewhat different, but there have been some girls teams
that have said they would not compete against a team
that was populated by boys. There have been some girls
who in some of these I think it was in
a field hockey team, in a field hockey game, who
was injured. Boys do have more physical strength than young
(25:55):
than women or than than girls. As someone who is
on the commission, you know, dealing with the status of
women in Massachusetts, on what side of the fence on
those those issues do you do you fall or do
you think these status of women should boys be allowed
to compete in high school sports. I can see when
(26:19):
kids are young, when they're doing oh T ball and
and kindy and soccer in the elementary school, you know,
through like the third grade. But there comes a point
in time where boys are a little stronger and and
and and and can cause uh, can cause injuries. Then
there's a lot of parents as a matter of fact,
(26:39):
UH Congressman Seth Moulton UH commented on that a couple
of months ago. It was criticized by a lot of
people for his comments, and he was supported by other people.
What's your thought on that?
Speaker 3 (26:51):
So I want to take a few again. I'm going
to take a few steps back then, because you quite
frankly confuse me by saying that there are boys who
want to play high school sports. And so I'm going, well, yeah,
a lot of boys play high school sports. On what
(27:14):
you're saying, trans girls, it's trans girls, it's young trans
girls who are wanting to play sports.
Speaker 2 (27:23):
I'm sure. I'm not sure that the boys on some
of these schools there's no boys girls hote a girl's
field hockey team, as they say, the situations can be
somewhat different. And I'm talking about a boy, you know,
not a trans a trans girl, but a boy who,
(27:44):
let us say, you know, is not going to play
football or baseball. That's not his his interest. His interests
might be in in a sport that is predominantly a
girl sport, which would be let us say, field hockey.
There might be a girls field hockey team, but not
a boys field hockey team. That's that's what I was
talking about.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
Well, you brought up Seth Multon. Seth Maulton's commentary was
around trans girls in distort. So I want to just
make sure that we're clear. Are we talking about trans
girls or boy or boys?
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Well, let's talk about both if there's if there is
a significant difference. I'm I'm speaking from the from the
asking the question, which some people in my audience I'm
sure are thinking about the question, and if they don't
want to call it, ask the question, I'm going to ask.
I'll ask the question so you could take it from
whichever perspective you would like or deal with both of them.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
No, absolutely, So I it's really first and foremost coming
down to respect. So we have to think about you know,
as I serve on the Commission protecting and advancing the
rights of all young women and girls, there is respect
that has to come into play here when addressing them.
(29:03):
And so I would address these young people as trans
girls who are wanting to play in on a women's team.
So you say that is where Seth Malton's commentary came
into play, I won't go through go ahead. So that
is and that is also the debate that has spread
(29:24):
quite frankly widely across this country. I think we have
to look to medicine, which has done studies on any
type of advantage, which it was proven that there is
no advantage, which for France girls playing in sports, it
was proven very clearly. And so this has often come
(29:46):
up to bates, did we lose you there, Zelle, I'm here.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
We just we dropped the audio dropped out, go ahead.
I was afraid.
Speaker 3 (30:02):
What I was getting to was we are starting to
lose the big picture here. As a young person having
access to recreational sports that are affirming and that alignment
gender identity are pivotal, we have to recognize that they
(30:25):
are a part of building community, building fellowship with folks
who may share the same identity, or folks who are
of and seeing, you know, adolescence and a very unprecedented moment.
And so we have to also think about this on
a larger scale. Is these you know you think about
(30:48):
being in the drama club at your school, or your
friends who are all on the football team together, Those
connections and that camaraderie really helps navigate you through your
at a lie lessons. It makes you feel less alone.
It makes you feel supported, and we have to start
thinking about our young people who are living in a
(31:09):
very volatile time. Then you should be able to have
access to any type of affirming space that they need.
And it is important why we also have to be
rather clear and very very sensitive around the fact that
(31:30):
everyone deserves the right to turn affirming care bodily autonomy.
And so yeah, that's fine, let.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Me do this. I got to take a quick break.
We come back. I got a couple more questions. I
think you gave a good, clear answer. I understand your answer,
and hopefully my audience understands your answer as well. But well,
take a quick break. This is a quick one. We'll
be back with a final comment from Giselle. And if
you'd like to call, I've got a couple of lines
that are opening. I'll try to get you in six one, seven.
(32:00):
We're ten thirty back on night Side. Right after this.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news Radio.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Back with Giselle Byrd, a recent appointee to the Massachusetts
Commission of the Status of Women. Giselle, I'm going to
try to get another call in, but just to clarify
what I was at where I was getting at is
that the Olympic Committee, the IOC, the International Olympic Committee,
according to the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times,
(32:30):
is moving toward restricting transgender athletes from participating in the Olympics.
As you know, what is your thought, and again I
think I can figure it out here, But what is
your thought on trans women in athletic clubs where there
(32:52):
were men and women's locker rooms. I don't want to anticipate,
but if you can give me a quick response on that,
we'll try to get a couple of more callers in
here as well.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
So, okay, this one comes back to respect, but also
it comes back to gender identity in how you express yourself.
So trans women are women. They have a very different
experience of womanhood, but at the end of the day,
(33:27):
we are women. So therefore, you know, I think this
is going beyond locker rooms, to be honest, and we're
now getting into bathrooms in general. We should be allowed
to go to the bathroom of our gender identity, or
there should be gender neutral restrooms.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
But I think, as you know, there are a lot
of restaurants now that have gender neutral bathrooms exactly, and
those tend to be smaller. You know, bathrooms that one
person might use. I think we're very comfortable with that. Okay,
that's great. I just wanted to again give you a
(34:09):
chance to express. Let me grab another caller or two
for you here. We are a little tight on time,
so I'm going to ask the callers to get right
to it. Jeff and Abington. Jeff, you're on with Giselle Bird.
You've called late. If you have a quick comment or a.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
Question, you'd be quiet.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
I could talk.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Well, you know what, Jeff, that's not going to help
you here. If if you want to ask a question, fine,
if you want to be a wise guy, we can
move on your choice.
Speaker 4 (34:36):
I want to ask a question. Did you guess say
that boys don't have an ad advantage?
Speaker 3 (34:44):
Yes? I want to leave that.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
I believe that's what she said, Jeff.
Speaker 4 (34:47):
Because boys don't have an advantage of sports, she said,
disqualify her.
Speaker 2 (34:53):
Well, okay, does not disqualify for her opinion. Jeff, appreciate
your call. Let me go to Iris Irish. You're next
on Nightsick, go right ahead.
Speaker 6 (35:03):
Yes, I feel that transcend the I think the girls
shouldn't the boys shouldn't play with the girls. Because even
though they called they want to be a woman, they're not.
They're still stronger than the regular girls.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Okay, let me get let me get you Zelle to
comment on your on your comment. Thank you for you.
Don't go away, stay right there and thank you for
your comment. Yourselle. Please feel free to comment on what
Iris has to say. You don't need to comment on
what Jeff had to say. Trust me. Okay, go ahead, Well.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
Iris, I appreciate your opinion. That's the beauty of our humanity.
We all have difference of opinion. And again, I think
science has proven that there is not always an advantage here.
And again, as I said earlier, it's around respect, which
I was talking to Dan about earlier. The conversations that
(36:01):
have been had have been about trans girls wanting to
play sports, not boys wanting to play women's in girls' sports.
So we just need to make sure we understand that clarity.
Because I heard you where you said, I understand that
people want to transition, and that you know that that's okay,
(36:24):
which is a goodful thing.
Speaker 6 (36:25):
They're still stronger, They're still stronger than the average girl.
How do you think they should go? I don't think
they should go in the same locker rooms with the girls.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
Okay, Irish, I think you've made your your points very
very clearly. You've done it respectfully, and I thank you
for calling. But I wish you so much.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
I thanks Iris, and you can do anything for you
please let us know.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Okay, thank you, Irish. Yeah, just for clarification yourself. There
are some boys in Massachusetts who are playing on girls
teams because if the sport is not offered as a
boys sport. That I was talking not only about some
actual you know, boys who I still identify as boys
(37:14):
playing on girls field hockey teams for example, And then
there are other questions of again trans girls who who
at birth might be male, but they want to play
on a girls team that competing the girls team. Giselle,
thank you so much for your time tonight. I hope
(37:37):
you feel that you had a good opportunity to express yourself.
I appreciate you coming on here. I think our callers
were very respectful, and I hope you feel that we
had a good experience and we can do this again.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
No, absolutely, I'm love that all right, have.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
A great night and best of luck, and hopefully people
will underst stand that it takes no courage. It takes
a lot of courage for what you do, but it
takes no courage for someone to sit behind a computer
screen and issue a vile comment or a threat. So, uh,
stay stay safe and stay well. Okay, thank you yourself.
(38:19):
All right, goodnight. Here comes the news at the top
of the arrow.
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