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Cambridge State Rep Candidate Identifies As Neither Man Nor Woman

By Tom Joyce | August 8, 2024, 17:34 EDT

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2024/08/08/cambridge-state-rep-candidate-identifies-as-neither-man-nor-woman/

A Democratic candidate running to represent the 25th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives identifies as neither a man nor a woman. 

Evan MacKay, a Democrat from Cambridge, uses they/them pronouns and identifies as genderqueer. The candidate is primarying incumbent state representative Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge). 

Genderqueer refers to someone whose self-selected gender identity doesn’t conform to a traditionally male or female category.

MacKay’s campaign web site reveals this identity.

Here is what the site says about it:

Queer and trans rights are under attack nationwide — Massachusetts must do more to be a refuge for LGBTQ+ people and our allies in healthcare, social welfare, and civic society spaces. As a queer and genderqueer person (they/them/theirs), I will help build the coalition to confront the homophobia and transphobia that threatens all of us, from drag queens in our libraries to workers at Boston Children’s Hospital.

The LGBTQ+ Commission in Cambridge, of which MacKay is a member, describes the candidate as non-binary — someone who identifies as neither male or female.

Here is what the city of Cambridge’s web site says about MacKay:

Evan is a Cambridge resident and they were the first non-binary and non-woman member of “the Seneca”, a group of undergraduates at Harvard that pushes for women’s empowerment and gender equity on and off campus. Evan was a volunteer Peer Health Liaison teaching sex ed in Boston schools with attention to LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum. Evan has also worked to make the way easier for LGBTQ+ people after them. For example, in 2018, Evan was the first non-cis elected member of leadership of their union, the Harvard Graduate Students Union, and they are proud that every set of leaders after them has included non-cis members. Evan seeks to promote intergenerational events and community as a Commissioner. Evan would also try to add attention to intersex issues and education about intersex justice, which is currently lacking from LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces. Evan acknowledges that Cambridge is thankfully part of the forefront of poly+ justice, and they think that we could do more with that in programming and thinking about what it means to be poly-inclusive, which they believe to be linked closely to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Evan will provide new and innovative ideas as a Commissioner.

Additionally, MacKay, who has facial hair, has “they/them” pronouns listed on Instagram.

The Democratic Socialists of America Boston chapter uses they/them pronouns when referring to MacKay.

“Evan MacKay is the former president of the Harvard Graduate Students Union, a local organizer on issues of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and an active member of Boston DSA,” Boston Democratic Socialists of America’s web site says. “They are seeking office to be a strong advocate for a transparent government and for working class issues such as rent control. They plan to take a stand against the failures of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and state house leadership.”

The 25th Middlesex District, which MacKay is running to represent, includes parts of Cambridge (Ward 3 Precinct 3A; Ward 4 Precincts 2, 2A, 3; Ward 6 Precincts 2, 3; Ward 7 and 8, and Ward 10 Precinct 1A and 2), according to the Massachusetts Legislature’s web site.

MacKay could not be reached for comment on Wednesday or Thursday. Nor could Decker.