Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Cambridge City Council declares city a ‘sanctuary’ for trans people
The move is a response to the Trump administration’s perceived attacks on the transgender community.
The Cambridge City Council voted unanimously on Monday to declare the city a “sanctuary” for trans and nonbinary people.
The resolution follows the Trump administration’s recent attacks on the transgender community, including an order defining sex as only male or female, barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s sports, and banning transgender troops from serving.
Other efforts included rolling back anti-discrimination protections, limiting access to gender-affirming healthcare, and undermining the dignity and safety of transgender people in public spaces nationwide, the Cambridge resolution states.
The orders trickling down from Washington D.C. concern Mayor Denise Simmons, who became the first Black, openly lesbian mayor in the nation in 2008.
Advertisement:
“As someone who is out loud and proud, I do too worry,” Simmons said during the council meeting.
She said that discrimination continues to occur, even in Cambridge, which people often see as a “safe haven.”
“It’s always probably been here,” Simmons said. But, “it’s been unbridled, released.”
“If we were silent it probably wouldn’t protect us,” Simmons continued. “We need to stand up. We’ve always stood up and not only to be an example but a beacon for other communities. Tonight we are amplifying that voice.”
Advertisement:
Vice Mayor Marc McGovern, who introduced the resolution to the council, said that in times like these, some say it is best to fly under the radar to avoid unwanted attention.
“I think the opposite,” McGovern said. “We need to stand up to that bullying and help folks to feel more comfortable and safe in this community.”
Since the mid-1980s, Cambridge has been designated as a sanctuary city. The resolution builds upon the city’s commitment to be a sanctuary city not only for immigrants, but also for marginalized communities, including transgender and nonbinary people.
The resolution states that the city will not cooperate with federal or state policies aimed at harming transgender and gender diverse people, and will take steps to make sure those people have access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment without the fear of discrimination.
In addition, no city resources will be utilized to cooperate with or provide information on an individual to an out-of-state agency or department regarding a person’s gender-affirming healthcare performed in the state.
City Councilor Patricia Nolan noted that everyone in the room probably has loved ones affected by these actions.
Advertisement:
“The fear that has been engendered over the last six weeks is pretty horrifying,” Nolan said.
Even in a community like Cambridge, Nolan said, educating people about this issue is essential.
“We will do what we can knowing we are a bubble of welcome-in-ness,” she added.
Councilor Ayesha Wilson agreed.
“We are living in such a hateful time, where folks for whatever reason are willing to discriminate and say the most hurtful things to people who may not look like them,” Wilson said. “That is not the Cambridge way. We should be doing better. We have that responsibility to model that across our city.”
During the public comment section, Evan MacKay, a Cambridge resident draped in a transgender flag, took to the floor, advocating for housing rights for this marginalized community.
“Tonight we will hopefully add trans and nonbinary people to the sanctuary policy,” MacKay said. “Tomorrow and forever all of us can do our best to show up for trans and nonbinary people as our friends, our family and our neighbors.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com