SALEM — Hundreds of community members gathered outside of U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton’s Salem office yesterday to protest his anti-transgender comments regarding their role in youth sports teams.
Many people spoke at the event, sharing their stories and support for the transgender community. This included local elected officials from Beverly, Lynn, Newburyport, and Salem, as well as social rights leaders and advocates.
North Shore Pride President Hope Watt-Bucci said the event was for the transgender youth community.
“I ask that we share our values today – that we speak out in our neighborhoods and in our communities and in our businesses – our values of inclusion and equity,” Watt-Bucci said.
“Salem is proudly a place where we welcome all and where we are committed to centering inclusion in our words and our actions,” Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. “We honor, respect, and value you. Salem will always celebrate and champion our kids, support their dreams and aspirations, and applaud their accomplishments.”
Salem Councilor at Large Kyle Davis, who co-organized the event, said the event’s turnout shows the community’s support of the LGBTQ+ community.
“If anyone had questions about whether this community was going to stand by their trans neighbors … they have their answer today,” Davis said.
Salem Ward 5 Councilor Jeff Cohen, who serves on the board of Project OUT, said Moulton speaks intentionally.
“To say that his kids can get run over by people who are previously male shows not only his ignorance about what transgender is, it shows how he is willing to make the most vulnerable people in our community more vulnerable,” Cohen said.
“The LGBTQ+ community represents a vibrant tapestry of cultures and backgrounds,” Lynn Councilor at Large Nicole McClain added.
The “journey toward full acceptance and equality” for the LGBTQ+ community is ongoing and calls for everyone to respect and support the vulnerable community, McClain said.
“Love is love, regardless of who you are or who you love. The fight for LGBTQ+ rights is about dignity, safety and the right to live authentically without fear or shame,” McClain said.
Lynn Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug said it is important for him as the first out LGBTQ+ Lynn city councilor to support the trans community because they fight together and support one another.
“It’s our community,” Alinsug said. “It’s important for me to be here to show to my community that I’m here for them and represent everyone in Lynn as well.”
“We stand in solidarity with our transgender friends, neighbors and loved ones. The rally for trans solidarity reminds us of our shared commitment to quality, dignity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.” Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon said. “Together, we celebrate the diversity that strengthens our community and pledge to advocate for inclusion and justice.”
Beverly Councilor at Large Hannah Bowen said they were disappointed in Moulton’s carelessness of words and “scapegoating” trans kids, but are reassured from the turnout of the event and support from the community.
“We here will do everything we can to keep each other safe and expand respect and freedom of expression,” Bowen said.
Lynn resident Charly Clark did not speak at the event, but traveled to Salem to protest Moulton’s remarks and support the LGBTQ+ community.
“Our community deserves better than politicians who scapegoat a segment of the community – who decide to complain to a national newspaper about not being able to have a conversation without reaching out to talk to their community,” Clark said.
Remarks from politicians cross community borders and what happens in Salem impacts the City of Lynn, Clark said.
The event concluded with a march in downtown Salem.
