Trans Sanctuary Working Group Meeting

Date: 09/17/2026, 5:30pm

Location: Rindge Room, Cambridge Public Library and Zoom (https://cambridgema.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_faIo2D1RTyWMse2f_Malgg)

Agenda

Meeting Chair: Finley Foster



Call to order

Welcome

Assign minute taker

Review and Approve Previous Minutes (August 11, 2026)

Recap of previous Working Group proceedings (in case of new members)

Updates on Previous Action Items

Action Item Finley: Follow up with Shameka to find out more about the difference between policy order and ordinance & the decision to pursue an ordinance.

From Shameka: “At our Commission meeting we were using the language of policy order which I continued with. Also, the City Manager has made it clear that he does not want city policies set by ordinances. It isn't a great precedent.”

From the law department: “Generally, but not always, ordinances are outward facing and regulate activity in the community, such as the noise control ordinance, display of advertising on public ways, fair housing etc. How the City operates internally is generally accomplished through City policy. That allows a City Manager more speed and flexibility to make changes to policy as necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the City. It also lends itself better to enforcement, because if city departments or employs are not complying with City policy, the City can take discipline actions. If the City has to enforce an ordinance against itself, enforcement is not as clear."

Action Item Finley: Draft vision document

In progress, but not complete. Will share with the group before the full Commission meeting on 9/24.

Action Item Linden: Invite Shameka to join them for a discussion with Carolina, after the vision document draft is written.

Old Business

Reading group – waiting on library capacity

Housing Applications – Finley sent notes to Alexis Buckley and Anna Dolmatch

Request to join cross-city policy sharing group – approved! Shameka is meeting with Lex Jakusovszky from Portland, OR who helps head the group

Gender inclusion internal city policy – draft language regarding guidance for implementation of gender inclusion across the city

New Business

Trans Community Dinner

Gender inclusion ordinance or policy order to be passed by city council—next steps

Linden report back from meetings

Draft/update language with feedback from law department and others

Decide on ordinance or policy order, bring recommendation to Commission

Next Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 5:30pm

Adjournment