EASTHAMPTON — After dozens of residents spoke in support of the bill, the Easthampton City Council voted to support a resolution in support of the rights and existence of the transgender, nonbinary, gender diverse and intersex community at its June 18 meeting.
The resolution, brought forth by Councilors Tamara Smith, Felicia Jadczak and Koni Denham, comes after attacks on the rights of those in the TNGDI community, affirming those rights and sets expectations for the city to protect those rights.
It also requests that the mayor establish an advisory committee to work with city leaders and further support of those rights.
Dozens of residents spoke out in favor of the resolution, including School Committee members and state Rep. Homar Gomez (D-Easthampton), who served as City Council president before his election to the State House last November.
“These are our people, and we can’t let them down,” said Gomez. “We have to do the right thing.”
Meg Harvey, School Committee member, noted that sometimes people say resolutions are just words, but “words matter. You belong here. You are valued.”
Sam Hunter, a fellow School Committee member, echoed those thoughts and added how support for transgender rights has personally affected Hunter, who initially had concerns about transitioning while serving on the School Committee.
“I’m happier than I ever have been,” said Hunter. “You can decide to be who you are.”
Residents started to address the council during public speak time, but dozens had to wait hours to speak until the public hearing for the budget and appropriations took place. They did wait and supported the people who spoke by applauding.
Many spoke of the fear in the TNGDI community because of actions taken by the current president’s administration to limit their rights, including a Supreme Court decision that came down on the day of the meeting, which upheld a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors, specifically puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
Smith praised those who spoke “for collecting the testimony of people who can’t,” reminding the council and those gathered that the suicide rate for members of the TNGDI community is eight times higher than that of the general population.
Councilor Brad Riley added that he had a lot of feelings as he listened to everyone speak, as he remembered growing up as a “queer kid, in a world that didn’t seem to want me.” He explained how that wears people down over time and praised those speaking out for the resolution.
“We do not meet fear with fear,” said Riley.
Councilor James “JP” Kwiecinski noted that he understands that some people may not understand situations that they aren’t a part of, but “everyone deserves to feel like themselves.”
After the council voted unanimously to support the resolution, the chambers erupted into a loud round of applause.
