A woman appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) was subjected to racist and transphobic attacks online over the weekend.
Giselle Byrd, a Black transgender woman, was appointed commissioner to the MCSW by Healey on Aug. 20. Byrd is the MCSW Program & Planning Committee vice-chairwoman and executive director of The Theater Offensive, a regional theatre company located in Boston.
Byrd and the MCSW -- an independent state agency created in 1998 that advances the rights and equal opportunities for all women and girls in Massachusetts -- were bombarded with derogatory and hateful commentary in countless social media posts over the weekend.
The language came from replies to posts made in response to an article published on The Heartlander Nov. 14, called "Massachusetts Governor appoints male trans person to women's commission," according to the MCSW. That article circulated online and was brought up on anonymous accounts such as "LibsOfTikTok," which has 4.5 million followers on X and its own webpage.
"UNREAL. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) appointed Giselle Byrd, a man pretending to be a woman, to the 'Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women' which advises on policy to improve opportunities for women. You cannot make this up," a post on X from LibsOfTikTok read. It also included a picture of Byrd.
More than 5,600 replies were left on the post, many of which included racist, transphobic and homophobic language. Some called for Byrd's death and violence against her, while others mocked her appearance, gender identity, intelligence and qualifications for her role.
Other replies attacked Healey for Byrd's appointment that was made months ago, said Massachusetts state officials are "erasing women" and questioned the purpose of the MCSW. Even Megyn Kelley responded to the post by quoting it in her own, with the caption, "Men make the best women, we all know that."
Healey, the MCSW and The Theater Offensive condemned the attacks in statements on Monday.
"Giselle Byrd is a highly respected leader in the Boston Arts community who is committed to the advancement of women," said Healey.
Byrd serves on the Board of Directors at both Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art and is the co-vice chair of the advisory board for The Ali Forney Center.
Byrd has more than a decade of experience in talent management, production, casting, script coverage, brand partnerships and fundraising, according to her state commissioner's page.
She has been acknowledged as the first transgender woman and first Black transgender woman to hold various positions and receive awards. These include being the first transgender woman accepted into Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program, the first Black transgender woman to lead a regional theatre company in the United States and the first Black transgender woman to serve on the MCSW.
"The Commission has a bipartisan history of having LGBT representation, as Governor Baker appointed the first transgender woman to the Commission in 2016," Healey's statement read.
Sara Schnoor, a transgender woman, was appointed to the MCSW by former Gov. Charlie Baker in 2016. While Byrd is not the first transgender woman in the commission, she is the first Black transgender woman to serve.
The MCSW stated it stands "in outrage with our fellow Commissioner Byrd and remain committed to protecting the safety of not only our state and regional commissioners, but of every marginalized individual threatened by violence both online and in person."
The MCSW is concerned with Byrd's safety over the death threats against her and condemned the violence, reaffirming its commitment to protecting women and girls of all gender identities.
It acknowledged the "alarming pattern of murders of trans women, particularly of trans women of color," and pledged its continued support to the transgender community in Massachusetts in stopping violence, bringing awareness and codifying rights into law.
Leaders noted the irony of these attacks occurring during Trans Visibility Week and the day after the International Day of Tolerance.
"Our mission is clear: to promote fundamental freedoms, basic human rights, and the full enjoyment of life for all," the statement read.
"Massachusetts has a long history of fighting for basic human rights, and we will not back down now," officials said.
The Theater Offensive called Byrd "an extraordinary woman, a leader and much beloved by our organization for her vision, bravery and commitment to justice," and said "we stand with her in these attacks."
"TTO does not tolerate hate speech of any kind. We work to foster an inclusive and identity-affirming community where people feel safe and supported. We stand with Giselle," said TTO Board Chair Stetson Marshall.
TTO reiterated its mission to "present liberating art by, for and about Queer and Trans People of Color," adding it has "a radical legacy and have been speaking truth to power since our inception."