Newton Leaders Sponsor Resolution Supporting Transgender Rights

NEWTON, MA — Mayor Marc Laredo and other Newton officials are sponsoring a resolution reaffirming the city's commitment to transgender rights and equal protections for transgender and gender-diverse residents as Pride Month begins.

Laredo and Councilor Cyrus Dahmubed announced the resolution, which is also sponsored by City Council President John Oliver, Vice President David Kalis, and Councilors Sean Roche, Maria Greenberg, Andrea Kelley, Josh Krintzman, Susan Albright, Martha Bixby, Julie Irish, and Lisa Gordon.

The resolution states that Newton is committed to the safety, dignity, and equal treatment of all residents, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, transgender individuals, and gender-diverse people and their families.

"Newton is a welcoming city where every resident has the right to feel safe and be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness," Laredo said.

The resolution cites several factors behind its adoption, including anti-transgender legislation enacted in other states, Massachusetts laws protecting access to gender-affirming healthcare, and local data regarding bullying and discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA+ students.

According to the resolution, Newton's 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that transgender and gender-diverse students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students with disabilities reported higher levels of bullying than their peers. The resolution also notes that approximately 23 percent of surveyed high school students and 12 percent of surveyed middle school students identified as LGBTQIA+.

The measure also references Massachusetts' "Shield Law" protections for reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare and notes that several major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Psychological Association, recognize gender-affirming care as medically necessary and appropriate.

In its first resolved clause, the resolution states that Newton "reaffirms its commitment to fair treatment for all and recognizes that protecting LGBTQIA+, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals from discriminatory enforcement actions advances public safety and community trust."

The resolution also affirms that "gender-affirming medical care is a matter of personal health and family decision-making between patients, caregivers, and licensed healthcare providers, consistent with established medical standards of care."

A third provision states that "LGBTQIA+, transgender, and gender-diverse residents deserve safety, stability, and dignity, and that protecting vulnerable populations strengthens public safety and community trust."

Laredo said the resolution is intended to send a message of support to residents during Pride Month.

"At a time when many members of the LGBTQIA+ community face uncertainty and discrimination, this resolution sends a clear message: everyone deserves to live free from fear, discrimination, and exclusion," Laredo said.

The mayor added that the city remains committed to fostering a community where all people can thrive, be themselves, and know they belong.

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