Description
Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission
AGENDA: March 26, 2026
Location: Hybrid*: 689 Mass. Ave, 2nd floor & Zoom
Neighborhood: City Wide
Contact: Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission
<LGBTQ@CambridgeMA.gov>
617-349-3355
Agenda
Co-Chairs: Bill Barnert and Zachary Dresser
Tonight’s meeting chaired by: Bill Barnert
Call to Order
Welcome
Approve / Modify Agenda
Approve Previous Minutes: Feb. 26, 2026
Intro/Ice Breaker – How are you? What was one of your favorite children’s books and why?
Updates on Previous Action Items
Clothing swap for pool party: Guest Eliakesha Spencer suggests a vendor providing free clothes to community. ED Gregory says she will follow up.
Gender Inclusion Ordinance: Ordinance assigned for review to Sean McKendry with law department. McKendry has shared timeline of end of the month for updates. ED Gregory will follow up with him if no updates received at that time.
Fair Housing Ordinance & Sexual Orientation Definition:
ED Gregory will reach out to law department for follow up as soon as updates received regarding Gender Inclusion Ordinance. Law Department has a lot more demands on their time given all of the legal battles they are fighting with Federal government and due to actions of Federal government. ED Gregory mindful of their workload and doesn’t want to overwhelm them.
When she reaches out, ED Gregory will ask if this is something the Council can decide on their own or if it needs to be approved by the MA Legislature first.
Requested that Commissioners consider if they want to bring this before the entire Council at once or approach a specific Councillor to champion the change. Councillors McGovern and Sobrinho-Wheeler considered as options.
Rose Lipkin Award (Pride): Commissioner Howe volunteered to connect and coordinate with Arthur Lipkin
BLU Foundation:
Eliakeisha will share presentation with ED Gregory for distribution to Commission.
ED Gregory will share Eliakeisha’s contact information with Chair Barnert to learn more about “Rainbows Across Communities.” [DONE: Invitation to Rainbows sent to Eliakeisha.]
Budget: ED Gregory plans to request additional $5000 for Commission budget for programming.
Project Updates (current actions & plans, including reports from Shameka)
(Monthly until resolved): Status update on Fair Housing Ordinance change in definition of sexualities
Policy Order for Trans Day of Visibility
Working Group Reports
Outreach & Visibility WG (Greg & Bill)
Policy & Advocacy (Vinny)
Pride (tbd)
Public Health & Safety WG (Vinny)
Seniors WG (Evan)
Trans Sanctuary WG (Finley)
Youth WG (Emmy)
Old Business
New Business
Tabling Opportunities:
Trans-friendly Pool Party – Saturday, April 4th, 2026, 5pm - ?
Queer Intentional Families panel – Thursday, April 9th, 2026, 6-8:30pm
Multi-Generational LGBTQ+ Dinner – Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6-8:30
Youth Pride – Saturday, May 16th, 2026, 11-4
Mayfair – Sunday, May 24th, 2026, 11-6
Boston Pride – Saturday, June 6th, 2026, 12noon - ?
Cambridge Pride - Saturday, June 13th, 2026, TBA
Pride Committee
Bayard Rustin and Rose Lipkin Award
City Hall Lawn Billboard – 2 weeks in June. What do we want it to say?
Possibly awareness about the Commission
Domestic Partnership Zine
Pride
Public Comments / Announcements
Next Commission Meeting: Thursday, <date & time>, <location>
Shape
* 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.
To join via Zoom, join Zoom Meeting:
https://cambridgema.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mrfEHN7iRjaWNw0eDMxYQw