What does it mean to be ‘Welcoming’?

By Jamie Krikeles, Tara Vijayakumar and Clementine Corell

In April of this year a transgender woman of color who had immigrated to the U.S. lawfully and had been living in Waltham fled the U.S. fearing for her safety. She had lived here for years without issue, involved in the community and working on life-saving scientific research. Her decision to leave was the direct result of escalating ICE harassment and federal hostility toward transgender people.

Across the nation, transgender immigrants are facing intensified targeting, the erosion of protective policies and detention without due process. These are not abstract political debates — they are immediate threats to our neighbors and friends.

In recent months, several Massachusetts municipalities have taken symbolic stands in defense of transgender rights in the form of city resolutions. These resolutions, though not legally enforceable, signal critical local commitment to ensuring safety, health care access and non-discrimination for trans individuals in the face of hostile federal actions. In October 2024 Northampton passed the first such resolution. Worcester, Boston, Cambridge, Pittsfield and Greenfield did the same in 2025.

This past June, the City Council passed a resolution declaring Waltham a “Welcoming City”. The resolution was intended to align with this growing statewide wave of solidarity and also to communicate that inclusivity and dignity for all are core community values providing reassurance to vulnerable residents and new arrivals. While not legally enforceable, this resolution and its accompanying pledge that city resources will not be used to assist the federal government in targeting vulnerable populations carries significant value by making the community’s commitment and principles publicly clear.

Waltham Trans Alliance expresses our gratitude toward those who made their voices heard by contacting their councilors, and those who attended the council meeting. We would like to thank Councilor-at-Large Colleen Bradley-MacArthur for bringing forward the resolution during Pride Month. We are glad the resolution passed with a 13-1 vote, and proud to have helped sponsor it.

It is commendable that this resolution passed, and we hope this makes the trans and gender-diverse members of Waltham feel seen and welcome. Nonetheless, this resolution is non-binding and thus effectively optional.

Though the outcome of the resolution was positive, the process of passing it wasn’t without issue. The resolution lacked publicity as it was not submitted in time for members of the community to read in advance, nor was it officially available on the published docket to be discussed.

The wording of the resolution was disappointingly changed from “Sanctuary City” to “Welcoming City”, a change due to the polarization of the word “sanctuary” and one that demonstrates a capitulation to the current administration and its supporters.

Some city councilors were not in full support of the resolution, with Ward 6 Councilor Sean T. Durkee taking exception to the idea that a resolution would include a statement that city resources would not be used to comply with the federal government when it tries to target trans people.

Councilor-at-Large Kathy McMenimen voted in opposition to the resolution, warning that she did not want “consequences to the city.” She cited the ICE raids in Waltham as a reason not to act, yet similar crackdowns have happened even in cities with no sanctuary policies. Not declaring sanctuary status, in short, does not protect vulnerable residents.

Looking forward, we call on Waltham’s councilors to pursue an ordinance that materially supports and protects our trans and gender-diverse residents. Our fellow citizens should demand that their representatives meet the rising tide of fascism and transphobia with courage, not preemptive compromise and self-censorship. Beyond words, actively assisting with relocation expenses and long-term housing costs for gender minorities would be a next step.

Without binding ordinances, funding commitments or concrete policy changes, the resolution is merely a political signal rather than a guarantee of safety or rights. While public affirmation is meaningful, it does not shield residents from the very real threats posed by federal policies, rising anti-trans rhetoric and systemic barriers to housing, health care and employment. True support demands sustained political courage, material investment and a willingness to challenge discriminatory systems even when it is not politically expedient.

We urge all members of the Waltham community to join us in solidarity with oppressed people around the world and at home.

We envision a Waltham that not only feels safe for the current trans and gender-diverse members but becomes a city that encourages others around the state and country to move here, to enrich the culture and life of our city.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Jamie Krikeles, Tara Vijayakumar and Clementine Corell are members of the Waltham Trans Alliance (WTA), a community organization working to build a strong trans community in Waltham to overcome the issues of being isolated from Boston with few reliable public transit options. WTA discusses local tenants’ issues, navigating jobs while trans, and access to mental health and medical health services. They host readings and film screenings about trans-related political organizing and history. WTA is open to all trans, gender-diverse, genderqueer, agender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and questioning individuals who want to build a radical trans community in Waltham. WTA primarily meets in the Waltham Public Library and holds picnics and meet-ups in local Waltham parks and venues.