Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
In many parts of the United States, the fight for transgender rights can feel like an uphill battle—one that requires fierce advocacy, community mobilization, and often, years of effort to secure even modest victories. However, in the small city of Chelsea, Massachusetts, a remarkable collaboration between two grassroots organizations led to a monumental policy change that will have a lasting impact on the lives of transgender individuals in the state. The video Small City, Big Change, directed by Rich Aucoin, documents this powerful story of advocacy, solidarity, and the power of local action in the fight for transgender rights.
The video chronicles a collaboration between a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, MassEquality, and the Chelsea Collaborative, a Latino-led community group. Through this partnership, they successfully pushed for the inclusion of comprehensive transgender protections in city policy. The resulting victory is a testament to the power of grassroots activism and how diverse communities, when united in purpose, can achieve significant social change.
The film features key interviews with individuals deeply involved in the advocacy effort, including Gladys Vega, Director of the Chelsea Collaborative, Shanthell Saenz, a transgender community leader, Carly Burton, Deputy Director of MassEquality, and Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty. These voices help to tell the story of how this collaboration unfolded, what challenges were faced along the way, and what it means for the future of transgender rights in Massachusetts.
