Thu Feb 13 10:00:00 UTC 2025: **Worcester Declares Itself a Sanctuary City for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals**
WORCESTER, MA – Following a five-hour meeting marked by passionate pleas from the LGBTQ+ community, the Worcester City Council voted 9-2 Tuesday to declare the city a sanctuary for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The resolution affirms the city’s commitment to transgender rights and access to gender-affirming healthcare.
Approximately 200 LGBTQ+ residents attended the meeting, expressing deep concerns about their safety under the current political climate. Several speakers voiced fears of federal policies and potential repercussions for the city should it embrace the resolution. One speaker, who identified as having multiple disabilities, directly challenged those opposed, warning that a lack of support would create an unsafe environment for the transgender community. Other speakers emotionally recounted personal struggles and urged the council to prioritize the safety and well-being of transgender residents, citing alarming rates of depression and suicide within the community.
The resolution comes one month after the city’s first openly nonbinary councilor, Thy Nguyen, took a leave of absence, citing a transphobic environment. The petition advocating for the sanctuary city designation was spearheaded by Queer Residents of Worcester and Our Allies. The council’s decision underscores the ongoing debate surrounding transgender rights and protections across the nation.
First Piper 