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City of
Cambridge

LGBTQ+ Commission

People talking about GLBT issues in Cambridge
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Commission’s mission is to advocate for a culture of respect and to monitor progress toward equality of all persons with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Commission also promotes policies and practices that have a positive effect on the health, welfare and safety of persons who live, visit or work in the City of Cambridge with regard to sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.

 

LGBT Housing Report - Part II

LGBTQ+ older adults face many social and emotional challenges. Many of them live in Cambridge and could use support. The LGBTQ+ Commission has undertaken a research project to investigate the state of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in senior housing (including public housing) and offer recommendations. The commission performed a literature review and surveys of all senior housing in Cambridge. This report follows up on the Commission's 2016 Part I Report. The report is linked here and posted below in Useful Documents & Resources.

Click here or on the photo above to see the interactive story map presenting this research report!

All-Gender Bathrooms

After research about the importance of All Gender Restrooms by the LGBTQ+ Commission, The City of Cambridge has updated its own single occupancy public restrooms to All Gender Restrooms and will include All-Gender Restrooms in future buildings and renovations, including City Hall. This aims to be more inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender, gender non-conforming, or nonbinary individuals. This type of restroom is also helpful for parents with young children, people with different gender care attendants, and reduce wait time for restrooms.

The City Manager has issued an open letter to Cambridge businesses, encouraging them to designate existing single-occupancy restrooms as All-Gender to be more inclusive to residents and visitors. Read the letter here. 

 

Tips and FAQs

Who are the City staff of the Commission?

Jennifer Mathews, Esq.

Executive Director

Email: jmathews@cambridgema.gov

Pronouns: She/her/hers

 

Amelia Joselow

Research Associate

Email: ajoselow@cambridgema.gov

Pronouns: She/her/hers

 

Phoebe Hallahan

Programming Leader

Email: phallahan@cambridgema.gov

Pronouns: She/her/hers

What is the mission of the LGBTQ+ (formerly the GLBT) Commission?

The mission of the Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission is to advocate for a culture of respect and to monitor progress toward equality of all persons with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.

We are committed to promoting and monitoring policies and practices that have a positive effect on the health, welfare, and safety of all persons who live, visit, or work in the City of Cambridge with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.

What is the history of the LGBTQ+ (formerly GLBT) Commission?

In February 2004, a citywide GLBT Town Hall meeting was held in the Senior Center at which a number of issues affecting GLBT people were raised. Subsequently the Cambridge City Council adopted the order below on February 23, 2004 for the formation of a Commission. A second GLBT Town Hall meeting was held in October 2008. See above for information on this meeting.

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appoint a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Commission to take up the recommendations that came out of the GLBT meeting of February 4, 2004.

Members of the GLBT Commission were appointed by the City Manager in the fall of 2004 and the inaugural meeting was held in May 2005. The Commission devoted its initial meetings to reviewing reports from the town meeting and a GLBT Health Forum also held in 2004, creating its mission statement, establishing its internal organization and operating rules, and setting priorities.

On Feb. 13, 2017, an Amendment to Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.125, Section 2.125.010 was passed to change the name of the Cambridge Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Commission to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission and shall also be known as the “LGBTQ+” Commission.” 


Who are the members of the LGBTQ+ Commission?

As of May 11, 2023, the members of the City of Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission are:

Bill Barnert (Co-Chair)
Frank Arce (Co-Chair)

Badriyyah Alsabah
Bob Bordone  
Linden Huhmann
Noelani Kamelamela
Kat Long
Gregory MacDonough
Lauryn McNair
Lesley Phillips
Warner Santiago
Olivia Sevey
Meghan Joyce-Anderson
Cindy Telingator
Zachary Dresser
Jason Doo
Mary Rebecca Gardner
 
You can contact us at LGBTQPlusCommission@CambridgeMA.gov.

 

What are some of the LGBTQ+ Commissions accomplishments?

  • Police GOAL training
  • Two GLBT Town Hall Meetings
  • Pride Brunch before Pride every year
  • GLBT Family Liaison at Cambridge’s Public High Schools
  • Participation in search for new school Superintendent

What are some other local and regional resources?

See our Updated LGBTQ+ Resource List for area resources by subject/topic area. 


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