Fairness and Democracy
“Every resident in our Commonwealth deserves respect, understanding, and the freedom to live our lives regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, or anything else that makes them who they are.
I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the organizers and agitators who came before and who paved a path that has allowed someone like me to represent and serve my community.”
–– Julian Cyr
Senator Cyr is a member of the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion.
Pursuing Justice
SECURING A DEDICATED POLICE TRAINING FUND
Our police departments and the men and women who serve in blue must have the best available training to keep our communities safe and prosperous. In both a fiscal year 2018 supplemental budget and the fiscal year 2019 budget, Senator Cyr introduced the amendment - that eventually became law - to ensure that the Commonwealth finally provided a stable revenue stream into the Municipal Police Training Fund. Millions of dollars are now being used for first aid/CPR in-service training, sexual assault investigator training, school resource officer training, and fair and impartial policing training.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM …………………..
Our criminal justice system needs to be reformed to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals back into society. Senator Cyr was a proud supporter of the 2018 criminal justice reform law, which repealed mandatory minimum sentences on non-violent crimes and took meaningful steps to reform how young people interact with the criminal justice system. He remained a strong advocate for health access in prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to work with the Department of Corrections to improve health outcomes for all individuals.
FUNDING BARNSTABLE COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE TRAINING ACADEMY
Barnstable County Fire and Rescue Training Academy is the only training academy available to firefighters on Cape Cod and the Islands. Senator Cyr believes that providing continuing education for fire departments and training new firefighters is essential to protecting our communities and ensuring the safety of those who protect our own. Every year since he was elected, he has secured $100,000 for the Fire and Rescue Training Academy. He continues to support the safety of firefighters from PFAS exposure with the 2024 passage of An Act relative to reducing certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment.
A Leader for LGBTQ+ Equity
As a queer person, Julian knows that representation matters. He is a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ equity and works to keep LGBTQ+ issues at the forefront in the halls of power. As co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, he works to rally his colleagues around legislation that affirms the dignity of everyone. Every Pride Month, Julian joins his colleagues to raise the Pride flag over Beacon Hill.
STANDING UP FOR VULNERABLE LGBTQ+ YOUTH
Julian is a champion for LGBTQ+ youth in the Commonwealth. He served as a member and chair of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth. In the Senate, he championed state budget funding for programs serving at-risk LGBTQ+ youth and advocated for legislation to expand access to PrEP, a medication that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV. He also helped lead the passage of legislation to ban conversion therapy.
LGBTQ+ FAMILY BUILDING
Fertility treatment is widely geared toward conception for heterosexual couples and does not envision the needs of LGBTQ+ families. The coverage and care that is available is in many respects inadvertently homophobic and transphobic. Senator Cyr filed legislation that extends LGBTQ+ families the right coverage for those services and ensures culturally competent care for anyone wanting to build a family.
Trans Rights are Human Rights
Senator Cyr believes that transgender and non-binary people deserve to be treated and seen in a manner consistent with their gender identity. He has repeatedly and successfully fought to make that the law of the land — especially for the youngest, poorest, and most marginalized in the trans community. He secured an amendment to the 2018 criminal justice law regarding the treatment of incarcerated trans individuals and helped author the 2022 Shield Law that safeguarded providers of gender affirming and abortion care.
Democracy and Voting
BUILDING AN ENGAGED CITIZENRY
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts should make every effort to make it easier for our citizens to vote. Senator Cyr supported a 2018 law that instituted automatic voter registration in Massachusetts, keeping voter rolls up-to-date, inclusive, and efficient.
VOTE BY MAIL
For older adults and Americans of certain ability, voting by mail is a critical lifeline in participating in our civic process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Cyr helped legislate universal vote-by-mail in the Commonwealth to allow residents to cast their ballots from home. The Cape & Islands Senate District now has the highest vote-by-mail participation in the state!
YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Our democratic institutions only work if we involve all voices and give hope to the next generation that they can solve the challenges of tomorrow. As a high school student, Julian got his start in service by organizing to support public education at town meeting. Senator Cyr believes in civic education and seeking out the perspectives of his constituents of all ages to join in crafting policies that meet their current and future needs.