Boston rally, vote calls for codifying LGBTQIA2S+ Office amid national rights rollbacks
The office, created by a Wu executive order, existed, until Wednesday's council vote, solely at the discretion of future mayors. 'In order for us to be a sanctuary city, we need protections in place,' Santana told the Globe. 'Codifying the LGBTQIA2S+ office ensures it stays here — no matter who the mayor is.'
Speakers invoked the threats facing queer and trans people nationwide. The Trump administration has moved swiftly to
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'This year, we want to make a statement,' Santana said. 'People are living in fear. People don't feel safe.'
City Councilor At-Large Henry Santana (right) listened to Sister Brother Freddie Anne Willing (both cq) of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during a speech in the City Council chamber at the Pride celebration at Boston City Hall Wednesday.
Lane Turner/Globe Staff
For many in attendance, the stakes are deeply personal.
Lauretta Hearn, a member of the Transgender Veterans Support Group, said recent federal policy changes at the Department of Veterans Affairs, which halted gender-affirming surgeries for transgender veterans, have already taken a toll on their family.
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'I'm worried about my stepmom — she's 72. She's been transitioning for almost 30 years,' Hearn said. 'She feels not seen, and she gets upset because medically she can't do the surgeries, but the hormones make her still feel like she can be a woman.'
Thepeer-led group offers virtual support spaces for trans veterans and their families across the country. Hearn, who co-hosts a weekly family and allies group, said they've seen the direct effects of recent care restrictions in Massachusetts and beyond.
Boston, MA. 05/29/2025 - Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence members Sister Stella Tension-Hor (left) and Sister Brother Freddie Anne Willing (both cq) mingle at the Pride celebration at Boston City Hall on June 4, 2025. Boston City Councilor At-Large Henry Santana and over 45 LGBTQ+ organizations hosted a Pride rally, reception, and celebration in and outside of Boston City Hall. (Lane Turner/Globe Staff)
Lane Turner/Globe Staff
Phoenix Lee, a transmasculine Boston resident, said he's also bracing for ripple effects. 'I'm worried that my legal documents won't match up and I'll be penalized. I'm on MassHealth, and I'm scared that my hormones or gender-affirming care will be taken away,' he said.
Still, Lee said he felt fortunate to live in a state with stronger protections than most.
'I call it the Massachusetts bubble. I'm so grateful to be able to be visible without fear,' he said.
Many who attended demanded lasting change.
Kimberly Rhoten, director of policy and strategic initiatives in the Mayor's LGBTQIA2S+ office, said the council's vote is about more than symbolism.
'Right now, our office exists only by executive order. Codifying it into law makes it one step harder to remove us,' Rhoten said. 'Most other offices in our cabinet are already codified. We're one of the last.'
They added that the office is already on the front lines of a public health crisis affecting LGBTQIA2S+ residents, particularly youth.
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'Youth who identify as queer are far more likely to contemplate suicide, to experience housing instability, and to engage in substance use,' Rhoten said. 'These issues existed before the election. But now we're seeing ripple effects that are going to make it worse.'
In response, the office has expanded its grantmaking and policy advocacy. Each year, it distributes $150,000 in 'Beyond Pride' grants to dozens of local organizations working on everything from emergency housing to gender-affirming sports leagues. A recent initiative provided $50,000 to the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition to support name and gender marker changes on legal documents, Rhoten said.
'We're focused on helping our residents, not just survive, but thrive,' Rhoten said.
LaNiesha Bowles listened to speakers at the Pride celebration at Boston City Hall Plaza.
Lane Turner/Globe Staff
Joy, too, played a central role in the rally.
Coley Kelly, an 82-year-old member of Boston Prime Timers, a social group for older gay, bisexual, and transgender men, said the event was a sign of progress.
'I think that the LGBTQ movement has been transformed over the years to be more socially acceptable — to be who you are, whenever and wherever you want to be.' He added, 'I'm confident that the movement and the acceptance of gay life is going to continue, because just about every family now either has or knows someone who's gay.'
Freddie Anne Willing, abbess of the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a queer activist and performance group known for using satire and spectacle to fight bigotry and support marginalized communities, urged the crowd to stay loud, visible, and unapologetically joyful.
'Just because we are joyful doesn't mean we are complacent,' she said. 'Just because we are joyful doesn't mean we're not angry. If it takes a little spite for you to be joyful — well, maybe that's Boston in 2025.'
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Flags are held aloft at the Pride celebration at Boston City Hall on Wednesday.
Lane Turner/Globe Staff
Nathan Metcalf can be reached at
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