LGBTQ+ Commission Meeting

Call to Order

Welcome

Approve / Modify Agenda

Approve Previous Minutes: 5/28/26

Introductions: Welcome Zhiren! Joyous Pride memory?

Working Group Reports

Outreach & Visibility WG (Commissioner MacDonough)

Outreach Projects? Possibly Youth LGBTQ+ Ball with Somerville and Arlington

Policy & Advocacy (Commissioner Monrreal)

Pride (ED Gregory)

Took place Sat. June 20th. Update from PM Ye and feedback later in meeting

Public Health & Safety WG (Commissioner Monrreal)

Seniors WG (Commissioner MacKay)

Book Group

Trans Sanctuary WG (Commissioner Foster)

Meeting with Boston MOLA

Pool Party

Gender Inclusion Ordinance

ED Gregory met with Sean McKendry from law department. Has requested an update. Awaiting response.

Youth WG (Commissioner Howe)

Possibly Youth LGBTQ+ Ball with Somerville and Arlington

Old Business

Zine Updates

ED Gregory has requested updated draft from artist. Awaiting response

Re: Working Group mission, goals, & purpose. 

Commissioner Monrreal will look at archives and figure out where to go from there 

Re: Inconsistencies in housing recommendations compared to current housing applications. 

City Staff joined Trans Sanctuary Working Group Meeting in May

Next steps?

Status update of Fair Housing Ordinance change in definition of sexual orientation

Human Rights Commission favorably voted on the definition below. Currently with Law Department

“Sexual orientation means an actual or perceived enduring emotional, romantic, or physical attraction, or lack of attraction, to others based on sex or gender. For example, sexual orientations may include, but are not limited to, heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, omnisexual, pansexual, queer, or asexual.”

New Business

Pride recap and Pride feedback

FY 27 Budget Approach (reserve for Pride or downscale Pride)

Previous spending review

Commission Application Update (Request for applications to remain open through August 10th)

Bios

Agreed that we will create bio book using template in sharepoint

“Cured” film opportunity

Yay or nay to offering a screening and if so, suggested dates

Movie list for Senior Center Screening

Perinatal Leave

Brainstorm FY 27 events/goals

Commission Social Event in August

Congrats to Bill on SpeakOUT award!!

Public Comments / Announcements

Upcoming films in the LGBTQ+ Film Series at the Cambridge Senior Center (First Tuesdays, 10am):

July 7: The Watermelon Woman (1hr 30mi, 1996)

The first feature film directed by a Black lesbian, it stars Dunye as Cheryl, a young Black lesbian working a day job in a video store while trying to make a film about Fae Richards, a Black actress from the 1930s known for playing the stereotypical "mammy" roles relegated to Black actresses during the period.

Next Commission Meeting: Thursday, July 23, 6-7:30pm, Hybrid*