Massachusetts Briefs

Boston Pride for the People announces new date June 6, 2026: Departing from Longstanding Schedule

Boston Pride for the People announced that Boston's 2026 Pride celebration will take place on Saturday, June 6, featuring a parade and public festival.

The date marks a departure from Boston Pride's long-standing tradition of being held on the second Saturday in June.

Further details—including parade routes, festival location, and performers—are expected to be released closer to Pride Month. The 2026 celebration continues BP4TP's community-led approach following the reorganization of Boston Pride after years of controversy under its former leadership.

For more information: www.bostonprideforthepeople.org.

Federal Judge Narrows Opt-Out Order on Lexington School Materials

In a February 10 federal court order, U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Saylor IV ruled that two picture books used in Lexington Public Schools—Pink Is for Boys and Except When They Don't—do not fall within the scope of a preliminary injunction allowing a parent to opt a child out of certain classroom materials.

The judge concluded that the books address gender stereotypes, not sexual orientation or gender identity, and therefore do not trigger the opt-out protections established in his December 2025 ruling. That earlier injunction, issued after the Supreme Court's 2025 Mahmoud v. Taylor decision, had temporarily required the district to permit opt-outs from instruction involving LGBTQ+-specific content.

The broader case remains pending, and the injunction continues to apply to other disputed materials.

Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth Opens Applications for 2026 Jeff Perrotti Leadership Award

The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth announced that applications are now open for the 2026 Jeff Perrotti LGBTQ+ Leadership Award.

The award honors Massachusetts high school seniors who have demonstrated leadership in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion, justice, and student wellbeing in their schools or communities. It is named for Jeff Perrotti, the founding director of the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students. Eligibility requirements, application materials, and deadlines are available through the Commission's listings on Mass.gov.

More information at: www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-commission-on-lgbtq-youth-announces-2026-jeff-perrotti-lgbtq-leadership-award