For Immediate Release: Monday, May 15, 2017 
Contact: Amanda Johnston, Director of Public Affairs & Education, 617-426-1350

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) announced the appointments of Francisco Cabas, Fred Csibi, Leila Bailey-Stewart and Meghan E. Freed to its Board of Directors.

In his current role as Virology Solutions Specialist at Alere, the number one global provider of point of care infectious disease testing, Francisco Cabas oversees the company’s HIV portfolio in the Northeast. After completing his undergraduate and graduate studies at Brown University, Francisco joined the Sexual Health and Education program at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he was twice elected co-chair of the California Planning Group on HIV and AIDS. He brings to GLAD experience working with state and local stakeholders to disseminate information on HIV prevention.

“Social justice is not an outcome, but a process,” said Cabas. “I look forward to helping advance GLAD’s mission to ensure equality for all.”  

Fred Csibi is a lab head and investigator at H3 Biomedicine in Cambridge. He has held a position on GLAD’s Spirit of Justice Award Dinner committee since 2015, serving as co-chair for 2016 and 2017. Fred is passionate about bringing his perspective both as a member of the science sector and as a Latino immigrant to GLAD. Originally from Venezuela, he completed his studies in France, receiving degrees in biological sciences from the University of Grenoble, and a Ph.D. in cell biology from the University of Montpellier 2.

“I am honored to join GLAD’s Board of Directors and to have the opportunity to help advance the extremely important and impactful work the organization does in the LGBTQ, HIV+ and broader communities,” said Csibi.

Currently Vice President of Recruitment and Admissions at City Year, Leila Bailey-Stewart brings years of experience advocating for equal access to education for the region’s youth. Through her previous roles at City Year, including Program Manager, Content Director of Summer Academy and Managing Director of National Recruitment, she has helped create equal and inclusive environments of learning for students from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds.

“I truly believe that the foundation of my upbringing aligns with the organization’s values and I am excited to begin partnering on such critical work,” said Bailey-Stewart.

Meghan Freed is co-founder and managing partner of Freed Macroft LLC, a Hartford-based family and estate planning law firm that is especially welcoming to same-sex couples and LGBT individuals. Meghan has authored amicus briefs on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, GLAD’s state supreme court case securing the right of same-sex couples to marry in Connecticut. Her numerous accolades include The National LGBT Bar Association’s Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 award and inclusion on the New England Super Lawyers® Rising Star list in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“I look forward to working with likeminded people who believe that human rights are for all humans, and that we shouldn’t stop working until they truly are,” said Freed.

GLAD is thrilled to expand its Board at this time in order to broaden the diversity of experience and perspective brought to the organization’s fight for justice for all LGBTQ people and people living with HIV.

“At this moment in time, the LGBTQ community faces many challenges, as do all progressive communities focused on justice and equity,” said Board President Rich Yurko. “I am delighted to welcome to the GLAD Board these four dynamic individuals who have already achieved so much and are willing to join us and our allies in the fight for equality for all. Their commitment to serve our larger community is truly inspirational.”

These four new members join Beck Bailey, Mark Brown, Edward Byrne, Andre L. Campagna, Jo Davis, MSW, Shane Dunn, Kyle Faget, Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Garland, George Hastie, Deborah Heller, Terry Holzman, Chuck Latovich, Dianne R. Phillips, Marlene Seltzer, David Wilson, President Rich Yurko, Vice President Joyce Kauffman, Clerk Darian M. Butcher, and Treasurer David Hayter.

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.

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