EASTHAMPTON — It’s not often that a City Council decision draws a standing ovation, but that’s exactly what happened last week when Easthampton’s legislative body approved a resolution to protect the transgender, nonbinary, gender-diverse and intersex community from any attempts to remove their access to health care or community services.
Following the unanimous vote on June 18 to declare itself a “sanctuary city” for transgender and gender-diverse individuals, the 50 people attending the meeting stood in unison and applauded the declaration.
“We need to protect the most vulnerable and most marginalized members of the community,” Councilor Tamara Smith said. “Easthampton is a big city with a big heart, but without people, this is not a city. Without supporting all our community members, what are we?”
The vote on the sanctuary resolution occurred the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
“That’s why this resolution matters,” Councilor Brad Riley said. “It’s not just a symbolic gesture. It’s a declaration that Easthampton is not going to join in that cruelty. That here, we lead with care and not control.”
Nearly 40 people gave public comment in favor of the legislation. Speakers ranged from parents, spouses and advocates of transgender and nonbinary people, social workers and mental health professionals, individuals who organize community programs for this demographic or transgender and nonbinary folks themselves.
“You don’t have to understand everything about gender identity to understand this: I just want to live,” said Jesse Morrissey, a transgender man and Easthampton resident of 12 years. “I just want to raise my kids. I want to work. I want to be a good neighbor. That’s all.”
The four-page resolution declares Easthampton as a welcoming community for all transgender, nonbinary, gender-diverse and intersex people (TNGDI). The municipal government will abstain from using city resources to detain these community members or cooperate with other out-of-state organizations requesting information on individuals seeking gender-affirming health care. In addition, the resolution reaffirms the legal protections of all teachers, health care providers and librarians who support TNGDI individuals.
“This resolution was written by the community and these words are you affirming you,” Councilor Koni Denham said.
After declaring sanctuary for current and future TNDGI residents, the document requests the mayor to form an advisory committee to shield the TNDGI community from future anti-trans legislation. TNDGI members will comprise the committee created no later than Aug. 1.
“You stop authoritarians by stopping authoritarians. They’re bullies, and we all know how to fight bullies. You stand up to them and do not give any ground,” resident Margo Anderson said.
The resolution acknowledges the federal and state government’s attacks on transgender, nonbinary, gender-diverse and intersex people across the country through the proposal and approval of legislation that bars the queer community from health care, housing, public programs and even bathrooms. Since January 2025, 895 anti-trans bills have been filed in 49 states, including Massachusetts.
These bills and laws have a tangible impact on the mental health of the TNDGI community. A study from the Trevor Project found that between 2018 and 2022, there was a 72% increase in suicide attempts in this demographic in response to the passage of anti-trans laws. The resolution also notes that Black, Indigenous and people of color, or BIPOC, who also identify as transgender, nonbinary, gender-diverse or intersex are much more susceptible to discrimination, abuse and even fatal violence.
Marcy Bloomenthal, a social worker and mental health professional, says the two fundamental needs for mental health are a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. This resolution creates the former.
“I really hope that the city I live in can be a place of belonging for all people so that the mental health and every other component that it supports can be something found here in Easthampton,” she said.
Many residents echoed the sentiment that Easthampton is “a little city with a big heart.” This resolution preserved this, they said, ensuring that all people feel safe within its boundaries.
“When you pass legislation like this, you send a clear message to people across the country that this is a safe place for people to come and be welcome,” Williamsburg resident Olivia Lenson said. “I happen to know that’s good for revenue, that’s good business, good for everyone. You attract people who are investing in your community because you are investing in them.”
