Arcata Declares Sanctuary for 2STGI Individuals Amidst Housing Crisis and Palestine Debate

Arcata, CA The Arcata City Council convened its regular meeting on August 6th, 2025, addressing a range of issues impacting the community. A key highlight was the unanimous approval of a proclamation declaring Arcata a sanctuary city for Two Spirit, transgender, non-conforming, and intersex (2STGI) people, a decision met with both support and ongoing challenges facing the city.

Councilmember Matthews read the proclamation, which acknowledges the historical presence of 2STGI individuals and cites the alarming rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation nationally. The proclamation underscores Arcata's commitment to ensuring access to gender-affirming care and protecting 2STGI individuals from discrimination.

"This proclamation affirms our city's dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all residents," stated Councilmember Matthews, as noted in the meeting transcript. The decision was met with enthusiastic support from several public speakers, including youth advocates from Queer Humboldt, who highlighted the significance of this declaration for LGBTQ+ youth facing challenges and discrimination. One youth advocate, Cerberus (they/them), expressed gratitude, stating that the proclamation offers crucial support for transgender individuals during their transitions.

However, the meeting also revealed significant concerns about other pressing issues. Several residents voiced their frustration regarding Arcatas ongoing housing crisis. Michael Kitchen suggested a collaboration with Hostels International to address the shortage. Other speakers highlighted the lack of housing and eviction protections for homeless individuals, particularly transgender people. One speaker criticized the city's handling of homelessness and called for more substantial action.

Another significant portion of the public comment period focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Multiple speakers urged the council to add Palestine to the agenda and divest from companies profiting from the conflict, citing the council's stated values and the Brown Act. Their concerns centered on the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and the deaths of Palestinian children. Rainer, one speaker, specifically advocated for Arcata to become a sister city with Gaza City.

The council also reviewed decorum rules, emphasizing limits on speaking time and restrictions on disruptive behavior. The meeting transcript indicates that the city manager reviewed these rules, including time limits for public comment (2 minutes initially, 3 minutes after business items) and prohibiting personal attacks and disruptive actions.

The council approved the consent calendar without discussion. A segment of the meeting video was missing, impacting the full comprehension of all discussions. The next city council meeting is expected to include a postponed report from a commissioner committee, and the council will revisit the issue of public comment after completing the last item on the agenda.

Residents can access the full meeting video and agenda at http://arcataca.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx. Further information on upcoming meetings and opportunities for citizen involvement can be found on the Arcata City Council website.