It is an exciting week for the team at the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) as they welcome their new Executive Director, Mason Dunn. We were able to catch up with Mason to learn more about his experience and his hopes for his new position at MTPC.

Equality Federation: How did you become involved in working as a transgender community organizer and leader?
Mason Dunn of Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition: 
I first became involved in transgender advocacy and organizing through education. As an undergraduate, I noticed that faculty and staff at my university lacked information about transgender and gender nonconforming identities. After a great deal of research and preparation, I began to lecture on the topic; I spoke in health classes, sociology classes, and even gender studies classes. After a few years of educating, I began to branch out in my advocacy work, particularly at my university. I helped to start a Safe Zone project, became a leader in my school’s GSA, and worked with statewide student advocacy groups. After that I was hooked on advocacy. When I moved to the East Coast, I made it a point to stay involved with my community. I began working with Transgender New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Coalition for Transgender Equality, and other organizations focused on transgender rights.

EF: What kind of work did you do while at the NH Civil Liberties Union?
MD: I was awarded a six-month postgraduate fellowship through the University of New Hampshire School of Law, which funded my work with the NHCLU. The fellowship gave me the opportunity to get my feet wet with many aspects of nonprofit and policy work. I did a bit of communications work, writing press releases, memos, and blogs, as well as some policy work, assisting the executive director in the legislature. I also built the new NHCLU website and social media presence. Overall, it was a whirlwind of new experiences and roles in nonprofit civil liberties advocacy.

EF: What made you decide to apply for the Executive Director position at MTPC?
MD: From the beginning, transgender advocacy work has been my passion, and I aimed to make this passion my career. My dad always taught me that if you make a career out of doing something you love, you will find fulfillment and joy in your work. Here in New England, MTPC is one of the highest regarded and most successful transgender advocacy organizations. So, when the executive director position was announced, I don’t think I even blinked – I immediately sent in an application. The timing was serendipitous in many ways: my fellowship was coming to a close, and I was thinking about the next steps in my career. It is an honor to have been selected, and I feel fortunate that I have this opportunity to do something I love.

EF: How do you feel your experience in law and with previous transgender organizations will help you at MTPC?
MD: When I decided I wanted to become an advocate for social justice and transgender rights, I wanted to make sure I had a strong foundational understanding of what “justice” and “rights” really mean. I attended law school to understand these concepts and systems from the ground up. Additionally, my experience in law school helped me develop my advocacy skills, both written and oral. Now, with a more comprehensive knowledge of the justice system, policy work, and advocacy, I feel that I can be a better advocate in the transgender community.

My experience in other transgender organizations has given me a deeper appreciation for the community and the challenges we face in organizing. There are so many diverse identities and needs within the transgender community, and recognizing these elements is crucial in this work.

I have more to learn, of course, but I feel that my experiences with other organizations and in law school have helped prepare me for my work with MTPC.

EF: What kind of changes can we expect to see as MTPC works towards full equality for the transgender community in Massachusetts?
MD: MTPC has done some phenomenal work over the past several years, and I plan to continue that work. One of my priorities is the addition of public accommodations to the existing civil rights laws. This process has already begun, and I will to continue to advocate for this crucial addition to the current laws.

Also, I hope to begin engaging and working with the transgender community living outside of Boston. I want to hear what is happening across the state, and how MTPC can empower the transgender community from Springfield to Pittsfield to Lowell.

I plan to continue the work that has begun in criminal justice reform and advocacy as well. This June, the Boston Police Department issued new guidelines for interaction with transgender individuals, aiming to prevent discrimination or harassment on the basis of gender identity. I hope to see policies of this nature adopted in departments across the state, and I will work to achieve that goal.

Join us in welcoming Mason to MTPC and to the Federation as our newest state leader! Send him an email now.