The Waltham City Council voted 13-1 to adopt a resolution declaring the city as a 'welcoming city' for transgender and gender-diverse people, distancing itself from the 'sanctuary' label. Councilor Colleen Bradley-MacArthur explained that the term sanctuary has been politicized by the Trump administration, thus altering the language to minimize potential federal backlash. The resolution ensures city resources will not be used for detaining individuals seeking gender-affirming care nor cooperating with harmful federal policies, reflecting a proactive stance on LGBTQ+ protections in Waltham.
"When I first got into local politics, I was told not to worry about national issues. Not only is this bad advice, it's harmful to our constituents."
"The resolution dictates that no city resources should be used for detaining persons for solely seeking or providing gender-affirming care, including gender affirmation surgery or gender hormone therapy."
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