Description
Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission
AGENDA: Feb. 26, 2026, 6:00pm
Location: Hybrid*: 689 Mass. Ave, 2nd floor & Zoom
Neighborhood: City Wide
Contact: Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission <LGBTQ@CambridgeMA.gov>
617-349-3355
Co-Chairs: Bill Barnert and Zachary Dresser
Tonight’s meeting chaired by: Zachary Dresser
Call to Order
Welcome
Approve / Modify Agenda
Approve Previous Minutes: Jan. 22, 2026
Introductions
Presentation from BLU Foundation
Updates on Previous Action Items
Project Updates (current actions & plans, including reports from Shameka) SAGE Table, Pride, Pool Party, Gender Inclusion Ordinance
(Monthly until resolved): Status update on Fair Housing Ordinance change in definition of sexualities
Commission Budget Update
Review cost of Pride 2025
Some of the things we may want to spend money on this year:
Pride 2026
LGBTQ+ Youth Celebration – performers & food
Queer Intentional Families event – food
Combahee River Collective book group – possible honoraria for guest facilitators
Anything else?
Working Group Reports
Outreach & Visibility WG (Greg & Bill)
Policy & Advocacy (Vinny)
Pride (tbd ASAP). Invitation to join other Pride planning committees.
Public Health & Safety WG (Vinny)
Seniors WG (Evan)
Trans Sanctuary WG (Finley)
Youth WG (Emmy)
Old Business
Recruitment including youth Commissioner & Attendance (Zack)
New Business
Invitation from Longy School of Music. 20-30 minutes, 6 vocalists
Public Comments / Announcements
Next Commission Meeting: Thursday, March 26, 2026
* Hybrid meeting info
GUESTS: Please let us know if you will be coming, and whether you will be joining us in person or via Zoom by emailing LGBTQ@CambridgeMA.gov.
To join in person, come to 689 Mass. Ave, Cambridge. If the front door is locked, call us at 617-349-3355. Come up to the 2nd floor and follow the signs.
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Item 1
Appendix A: Specific Measures to increase gender inclusivity and relationship diversity in all housing programs
Gender Inclusivity
The City of Boston has an excellent set of guidelines related to the use of gender information in city programs, which are suggested reading for context for the recommendations in this section.
Only collect gender information when necessary. If it is not necessary to collect, but there is a desire to collect it to improve city programs, make the provision of this information optional.
Collecting gender information can increase risks for vulnerable groups and create barriers to participation.
On each form that requires or requests gender information, clearly describe what this information will be used for.
For example, “The gender identities of all household members must be provided to meet federal government requirements. The federal government uses this information [for some purpose].”
Unless explicitly required by a law or regulation, don’t restrict a person’s self-identification to what is on government documents. Clearly specify whether and what type of documentation is required.
For example, “The gender identities of all household members must be provided to meet federal government requirements. Gender identity is self-identified and does not need to match a household member’s gender as specified on government IDs or other documents.”
Do not restrict gender identity to binary male/female options and provide an option for individuals to self-specify a gender identity.
The City of Boston’s guidelines provide example language for collection of gender information that may be a good starting point.
For housing programs with language that only references binary gender categories, change this language if possible, and otherwise clearly specify how the program works for people of other genders.
Replace “opposite gender” with, for example, “different gender” to acknowledge the existence of more than two genders and clarify how program rules apply to nonbinary applicants.
Inclusivity of Diverse Relationship Structures
Use “head of household” terminology only when required.
If possible “head of household” should be replaced with terminology that more clearly specifies what is meant. For example, if “head of household” is intended to designate the City’s primary contact for the application, ask the applicant to designate someone to be the City’s primary point of contact for the application rather than to designate a “head of household”.
If/when “head of household” terminology is required, explain in the application why this information is collected and what it is used for. Let households know what options they have when choosing to designate a household member as “head of household.”
For example, “The federal government requires us to collect information about the ‘head of household’ for each household applying for this program. You may choose any member of your household over the age of 18 to designate as ‘head of household.’ The federal government uses this information [for some purpose].
When describing who is eligible for a housing program, state explicitly that household members do not need to be legally related.
Ask for information about the relationships between household members only when required.
Like collecting gender information, collecting relationship information can increase risks for vulnerable groups and create barriers to participation.
If/when information about the relationships between household members is required, state explicitly what the information will be used for.
For example, “Please indicate which, if any, members of your household are married to each other. The federal government requires people who are married to be allocated a single bedroom, while adults who are unmarried are allocated separate bedrooms.”
Share information up-front about how partnerships with more than two people are handled.
For example, “Couples are expected to share a bedroom. For polyamorous partnerships with more than two people, the household residents in each partnership are expected to share a bedroom up to a maximum of two adults per room.