Opinion: attacks on LGBTQ rights spurs action in Boston
Dawsyn Wilson - Copy Editor
The Trump administration’s rollback on LGBTQ protections has urged communities across the United States into action. One city, the city of Boston, has gone one step further: they’ve declared itself a sanctuary city for the LGBTQ community as of March 12, 2025.
Boston City Council voted 12-1 on Docket #0655. Councilor Julia Mejia and Liz Breadon proposed a resolution declaring Boston a sanctuary city for transgender persons and all members of the LGBTQ community. Boston is committed to upholding its belief that “all people, regardless of identity, deserve safety, respect, and full enjoyment of their human rights.”
Several executive orders signed by the Trump administration have constricted access to gender-affirming health care, reproductive services, HIV prevention, and other protections.
On his first day in office, President Trump issued the order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremeism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” effective January 20, 2025. The order rescinds previously implemented resources and protections for transgender individuals.
It states that individuals must be identified by their biological sex, recognizing only two sexes: female and male. The order also requires all federal agencies to “remove all statements, policies, regulations, forms, communications, or other internal and external messages that promote or otherwise inculcate gender ideology.” It requires official communication to use exclusive language, erasing individuals’ identities that are gender non-conforming.
The order required the removal of helpful documents and resources. “Each agency head shall promptly rescind all guidance documents inconsistent with the requirements of this order or the Attorney General’s guidance issued pursuant to this order, or rescind such parts of such documents that are inconsistent in such manner.”
This includes, but is not limited to:
“The White House Toolkit on Transgender Equality”; “U.S. Department of Education Supporting LGBTQI+ Youth and Families in School” (June 21, 2023); “Enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 With Respect to Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Light of Bostock v. Clayton County” (June 22, 2021); and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” (April 29, 2024).
Boston’s declaration as a sanctuary city for transgender individuals and members of the LGBTQ community is a crucial statement of defiance against the Trump administration’s mission to undermine life-saving health care.
They won't comply with federal efforts to remove resources that protect their rights. The city of Boston won’t cooperate with federal or state policies that directly harm transgender and gender-diverse individuals. They remain dedicated to ensuring access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment without fear of discrimination.