Councilors pass resolution protecting trans rights, despite concerns about resolution’s language, limited time to review 

In a show of solidarity with the transgender and gender-diverse communities, the Waltham City Council on Monday night voted 13–1 to pass a resolution declaring Waltham a “Welcoming City” at its last meeting before summer session. 

The resolution, introduced by Councilor at-Large Colleen Bradley-MacArthur, affirms the city’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of trans individuals.

The resolution states that it is a response to recent federal actions by President Donald Trump’s administration, including an executive order limiting federal recognition to only two sexes and another attempting to end gender-affirming medical care for individuals under 19. It also follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Tennessee law restricting access to such care, raising fears among trans individuals and their allies of broader impacts across the country.

The resolution affirms that Waltham will not use city resources to aid in investigations or actions that criminalize gender-affirming healthcare. It also calls on the city to continue supporting access to education, employment, housing and healthcare for transgender and gender-diverse individuals without fear or discrimination.

“Two weeks ago, this body unanimously affirmed that joy should exist within the LGBTQIA+ community and on Sunday, June 8, there was endless joy on the Waltham Common,” Bradley-MacArthur said, referring to Waltham’s Pride Month resolution. “Let’s affirm and continue to support this community in both their joy and their struggles.”

Resolution’s language, timing raise concerns 

The discussion regarding the resolution lasted roughly 40 minutes with councilors expressing concerns with receiving the resolution just hours before the meeting and concerns with some of the language used, specifically the term “sanctuary.” Councilors also said they wanted to have the document reviewed by the Law Department before voting on it to ensure it was legally appropriate.

Councilor-at-Large Paul J. Brasco and Ward 6 Councilor Sean T. Durkee were among the councilors that voiced these concerns.

Ultimately Councilor-at-Large Kathy McMenimen voted against the resolution, saying she did not feel comfortable voting on it without having adequate time to understand what was being presented and before having the Law Department review it to ensure that its passage would not cause problems for the city. 

Language from the resolution was adapted from a resolution passed in Northampton, Massachusetts, and most recently in Brookline, which became the ninth Massachusetts municipality to pass such a resolution on June 5.

“The statements in this resolution are true – and they are happening now,” Bradley-MacArthur said while introducing the resolution. “I did want to present this in June, which is Pride Month, because the discrimination unfortunately does not stop.”

Waltham becomes the latest city to take a stand, pledging that no city resources will be used to support investigations, detain individuals or cooperate with out-of-state agencies regarding gender-affirming care that remains legal in Massachusetts. The resolution affirms that all city residents and visitors deserve equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Bradley-MacArthur noted that she amended the term “sanctuary” in the original presentation of the resolution to “welcoming,” recognizing the political baggage the word has taken on in national discourse. “The word ‘sanctuary’ has been vilified by the current administration to come to mean something other than the dictionary definition, which is shelter from danger or hardship,” she explained.

She pushed back against the notion that local officials should avoid engaging with national issues.

“When I first got into local politics, I was told not to worry about national issues,” Bradley-MacArthur said. “Not only is this bad advice, it’s harmful to our constituents.”