MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Mason Dunn (Hurley Event Photography)Hurley Event Photography
Mason Dunn
Age: 38
Communities: Lives in Tewksbury, works statewide
Their Story: Mason Dunn has been working for well over half of his life to teach the world about the transgender and gender-diverse community he’s proudly a part of.
Though his official title falls in line with advocacy, Dunn says he considers himself an educator first and foremost. Dunn identifies as a non-binary, trans masculine and bisexual/queer identifying Jewish person who uses he and they pronouns.
His work is driven by the inspiration received from seeing people “grow in their understanding and capacity for empathy,” Dunn explained.
An attorney with a law degree they sought to work in LGBTQ+ equity and advocacy, Dunn started a career 20 years ago focused on topics ranging from explaining LGBTQ+ identities to people, to mentoring new community leaders and beyond.
For the past 10 years, he’s focused on local partnerships with a multitude of LGBTQ+ organizations to further his advocacy.
Dunn was the co-chair of Freedom for All Massachusetts, also known as the 2018 “Yes on 3″ campaign from 2018, which supported legislation to protect transgender people in public accommodations. He also held an executive director position for the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.
Other local organizations they worked with include Fenway Health, Keshet, GLSEN and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Currently, Dunn serves on the board for the Equality Federation, is a commission member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Youth Commission and is vice-chair of their local Tewksbury DEI committee.
In his words: “No one does this work alone. We are made stronger, more effective leaders by the teams we build and the people we surround ourselves with. I am honored to call many of the people nominated friends and colleagues who have supported me in my own leadership journey.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
