A hearing was held on November 22nd, 2022, to discuss Boston’s plan to eradicate youth and young adult homelessness and receive updates on implementation and progress specific to LGBTQ+ youth in Boston. It expanded into a conversation focused on finding solutions to the challenges LGBTQ+ people face in accessing housing or shelter where they feel safe. LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges and exclusions that can lead to homelessness at a young age.

The LGBTQ+ community, particularly queer BIPOC, is disproportionately impacted by most systemic issues in our city, including disproportionate criminalization and poor health and well-being while incarcerated. I filed a hearing order to discuss solutions that will protect, uplift, and support the LGBTQ+ community in Boston.

Boston Public Schools should be safe spaces for all identities. Still, responses to a 2019 YRBS survey show that lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students reported a higher tendency than their heterosexual counterparts in mental health categories, including feelings of hopelessness, suicide attempts, and being bullied. That is why I filed a hearing order with Councilor Mejia as my co-sponsor to discuss the academic performance and social-emotional well-being of LGBTQ+ students in Boston Public Schools. We will be holding this hearing in 2023.

Councilor Coletta and I presented an Ordinance amending Chapter VI of the City of Boston Code and ordinances regarding gender inclusion, otherwise known as ‘Jack’s Law.’ This Ordinance ensures that all City departments include the option for an individual to designate their chosen name if different from their legal name on all forms and documents. This ordinance protects our trans siblings from using their dead names on outward-facing platforms visible to colleagues and others.