WASHINGTON — The Freedom for All Americans ( FFAA ) and Freedom for All Americans Education Fund ( FFAA EF ) Boards of Directors have selected Masen Davis to serve as the organization's new CEO. Davis is a proven strategist and national leader who has spent the last two decades working to advance LGBTQ equality — including in his leadership roles as Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center and Co-Director of Global Action for Trans* Equality.
"We could not be more excited that Masen will lead Freedom for All Americans into this next chapter," said Tyler Deaton, Chair of the FFAA Board, and Andy Marra, Chair of the FFAA EF Board. "Now more than ever, we need leadership to protect our current progress and secure new victories that allow LGBTQ people to live without fear of violence or discrimination in their communities. Masen has the vision and foresight to increase our momentum for advancing nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people in our country. We are confident in his ability and established record of achievement to create real impact that will resonate nationwide."
"I'm thrilled to join the team at Freedom for All Americans, and to work with all of our partners in the states and across this incredible movement," said Masen Davis, incoming Freedom for All Americans CEO. "In recent years, the LGBTQ movement has won victories that many people thought would never be possible in their lifetime — from the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' to the advent of marriage equality to the transformative national visibility for transgender people. But there's a lot of work still to do and there's so much on the line for LGBTQ people in America today. We have no time to waste in pushing forward in the states, in the courts, and in the halls of Congress with the hard work necessary to ensure every person can live free from discrimination, no matter who you are or who you love."
Most recently, Davis served as senior director of special projects at the Gill Foundation, where he oversaw the organization's litigation portfolio and managed the State Agencies Project that pursues ways to make LGBTQ people more equal on the state level — from simplifying the process of obtaining legal gender markers to pushing forward anti-bullying policies. Prior to that, he was interim co-director of Global Action for Trans* Equality and spent eight years as executive director of the Transgender Law Center, which under his leadership became the largest transgender rights organization in America. He has served as a board member of Freedom for All Americans Education Fund since 2016 and has played a critical part in the organization's strategic planning and priorities since its inception.
"The LGBTQ movement is thankful for Masen's tremendous contributions which have helped to advance transgender equality in America and globally," said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. "Because of Masen's work, many organizations like NCTE were better able to advance the type of policies that improved the health and protections so crucial to transgender people. NCTE looks forward to continuing our close partnership with FFAA, and welcomes Masen in his new role as an integral leader in the nondiscrimination movement."
Davis takes the helm of FFAA as the organization expands its work in states, in litigation, and at the federal level. In 2018, FFAA will lead the fight to ensure that Massachusetts becomes the first state in the country to defeat a ballot initiative intended to roll back transgender protections; play a key role in advancing proactive transgender-specific nondiscrimination legislation in New Hampshire; develop and advance public education campaigns that build a diverse team of advocates making the case for nondiscrimination and growing public support for a comprehensive law; and support our legal partners who are pursuing key lawsuits in the courts.
"Masen has proven himself to be one of the most talented, sought-after strategists in the LGBTQ movement," said Kate Kendell, the executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "He is well-known, respected, and valued among the leaders doing work on LGBTQ equality — but most importantly, his work has saved lives. The work to win LGBTQ nondiscrimination is a team effort, and NCLR couldn't be more thrilled to work with Masen at the forefront of the fight."
"I've worked closely with Masen for many years and am absolutely convinced he is the right leader for Freedom for All Americans Education Fund at this critical juncture in our movement's history," said Matt Foreman, board member of FFAA EF and senior program director at the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. "His focus on winning and inclusion and his drive and commitment are going to hasten the day when all LGBTQ Americans will be protected from discrimination under the law."
Davis will officially join the FFAA team effective November 13th. For his full biography, visit www.freedomforallamericans.org/about/team/ .