'Every Action Possible': Salem Resolution Calls For Defiance In Face Of Trump Policies

SALEM, MA — City Councilors voted unanimously to declare Salem a "sanctuary city" for transgender and gender non-conforming people with the adoption of a resolution that condemns the Trump Administration's rollbacks of trans and non-binary rights and that calls for proactive work to protect students, teachers and other city employees who foster an environment of trans acceptance and support.

The resolution states that the city "recognizes the importance of gender-affirming healthcare as a matter of health, privacy and equality" for all residents and visitors to the city, while resolving that Salem will "ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students regardless of gender identity or expression in the Salem Public Schools."

"Thank you to the Salem City Council, for unanimously voting to make sure our Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Expansive youth and families are protected and safe within the city of Salem," North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ Youth Program Director Tony Leone said in a statement to Patch. "This sanctuary resolution was worked on and drafted by over 24 individuals, community leaders, representatives from the community, and strong allies. All coming together to protect one of our most vulnerable populations.

"From NAGLY, Salem Public Schools, North Shore Pride, The North Shore LGBTQ+ Network, Salem Academy Charter School, and so many strong allies."

The resolution, which proponents said came from the work of more than two dozen people and drew widespread support during public comment at Thursday's City Council meeting, took specific aim at the Trump Administration and U.S. Congress members who have "taken specific, meaningful, executive and legislative action targeting the rights and safety of transgender, nonbinary and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community."

Those actions, according to the resolution, include prohibiting school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose assigned sex at birth was male to participate in programs for women or girls, making it the policy of the U.S. government to only recognize two sexes and eliminating gender self-identification, and actions restricting access gender-affirming healthcare to children and teens, as well as actions restricting the use of chosen pronouns and access to restrooms corresponding to a chosen self-gender-identity.

"The resolution speaks for itself clearly and impactfully to the urgent need to take every action possible to protect and ensure the safety of our transgender and nonbinary community," said Salem City Councilor Alice Merkl, who presented the resolution. "This is a time for government and community leaders to be bold and brave, and lead with compassion...

"Sadly, we are facing these hostilities for the long haul and we will continue to advocate for our most vulnerable populations."

The full resolution can be found here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.