WORCESTER—The issue of transphobia remains a contentious topic for Worcester’s city council, as members debated a resolution on Feb. 4 that would officially designate the city as a sanctuary for transgender and gender-diverse people.
Mayor Joe Petty condemned recent federal actions that restrict transgender rights and warned of their potential impact on Worcester.
“It’s damn scary,” Petty said. “It’s terrifying what’s going on in Washington. Worcester welcomes everybody, and I think that’s one of our strengths. We can’t predict the future. I don’t know what the next play is in Washington with the Trump administration, but I know it’s to divide people, wedge people and make people scared.”
Council Vice Chair Khrystian King voiced strong support for the resolution, calling for a decisive stance from the council.
“This is an extremely important time,” King said. “This is the time to be angry. We and I should absolutely be in alignment with reaffirming that gender-affirming care is secured by the constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
King added that the vote should send a clear, unified message.
“It must be a unanimous vote,” he said. “We don’t want to send mixed messages here. It is very simple – we are under attack by the federal government. Let us say, unanimously, ‘Not on our watch. Not on our time. This city remains a haven for this community and all allies.’”
Council member Donna Colorio raised concerns about possible legal and financial consequences for the city, asking whether federal funding could be at risk if Worcester moved forward with becoming a sanctuary city. Her request to hold the item for further review of executive orders and potential ramifications was met with frustration from some councilors and attendees.
Council member Etel Haxhiaj criticized Colorio’s stance after hearing hours of testimony from residents.
“Councilor Colorio, it’s a shameful and low moment what you did,” Haxhiaj said, drawing applause from the audience. She commended those who spoke in favor of the resolution, calling them “beautiful, courageous, and persistent.”
She also directed a message at the president and “all the bigots in our city.”
“Not in our city, not now, not tomorrow, not ever,” she said.
Council member Morris Bergman acknowledged the importance of addressing federal funding concerns while also recognizing the passion of the residents who spoke.
“The 50 people here who spoke tonight, their opinions count,” Bergman said. “So [do] the opinions of another 200,000-plus people, many of whom rely on federal funding for the programs that trickle down to them.”
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During the public participation portion of the meeting, approximately 50 residents spoke in support of the sanctuary city designation. Among them was Adam Thielker, who handed each council member a valentine containing notes on the issue.
“Each of you on the city council needs to stand up and be counted,” Thielker said. “The hate and the chaos being raised by the mob in the White House has caused fear and confusion throughout the community. We see speech becoming action and the national becoming local at a terrifying rate. We need to support the communities that are affected by this with all our might.”
Missy Gleckel, a physician providing gender-affirming care, described an influx of patients from states like Texas, West Virginia, and New Hampshire, where access to such care is severely limited.
“People come, of course, to access healthcare, but they also come to find community, support, belonging [and] safety,” she said. “They come to Massachusetts because they believe their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness will be protected. Worcester is in a great position to become a sanctuary city, because it can offer all of this.”
Resident and nurse practitioner Cailin Duram, who works at Planned Parenthood, emphasized the importance of protecting trans healthcare services.
“At Planned Parenthood, we believe that people deserve high-quality, compassionate healthcare, no matter their gender identity,” she said. “We will stay true to this mission, even as trans people, their families, and care providers are threatened by the president and his allies, and transphobic people across the country.”
Despite the impassioned pleas from residents and some councilors, the council voted to hold the matter until its next meeting on Feb. 11.
Steve Smith, a veteran journalist with 17 years at The Hartford Courant, now brings his passion for photojournalism to Worcester. An award-winning photographer, he has covered major sporting events and serves as the official photographer for the Miss Massachusetts competition. Also a realtor, he helps families find their perfect homes. Reach him at steve@stevephotographysmith.com.
