Ward 6 Coun. Adam Cooper has responded to the backlash he's faced for a Facebook post he made regarding gender pronouns.
The post in question was of a person screaming with the caption "He took my pronouns! I have to live in reality now!" in reference to United States president Donald Trump recently signing an executive order indicating only two sexes will be recognized by his government; male and female.
In an emailed statement to CambridgeToday, Cooper said his post was misunderstood.
"I find it disheartening that a handful of individuals within this community have misconstrued my intentions," Cooper said.
"Nevertheless, I maintain my original position which is a clear opposition to legislated speech and any laws that infringe upon free speech or obligate individuals to endorse the beliefs of others. This post that was made on a private account was never about opposing any particular social group, gender, identity or sexual orientation despite how some would like to portray it."
Mayor Jan Liggett, who's currently out of the country, also responded via a statement that was posted on the mayor's social media channels, saying the comments made in the Facebook post don't represent council or the city's views.
Screen shots from a Facebook post made by Ward 6 Coun. Adam Cooper.Facebook/Adam Cooper
"The implications within the meme have brought distress and pain to families and members of our community, therefore in this instance, and as Mayor, spokesperson, and leader of our community I feel that this warrants a response," Liggett's statement reads.
"It does not represent council nor the corporation’s thoughts on gender fluidity. In these uncertain times, we need to come together as a community, not tear each other apart. No one should have to wonder whether they are safe. Pronouns are a form of grammatical identification, for some only that, but for others a means of personal identification, not something to be fearful of nor weaponized"
Liggett continued to say every resident deserves to feel not only safe when in the city, but welcome.
While acknowledging people hold differing opinions, she wants the community to be known as one that supports each other and stands against discrimination.
"As a council we have created policies for that purpose, our staff then action them within our services, places and spaces, and all the while hoping the community embraces the same," the statement said.
"I cannot begin to say I know how you feel so let us get that out of the way, but I can say you shouldn’t have to feel bewilderment, anger, or fear. Sometimes adults learn through the grace of young people. I know that as leaders of a community we are not born with the knowledge of the role and we are imperfect creatures, but leaders are always in training."
Cooper is no stranger to voicing his opinion on matters surrounding free speech.
In 2023, he opposed changes to the region's code of use bylaw that prohibited harassing behaviour on regionally-owned property.
The bylaw gives security staff the power to remove and fine any individual or group deemed to be "causing or permitting communication with any person in a way that causes the person, reasonably in all circumstances, to feel harassed."
"Fortunately this is a democracy...and there's some caveats to democracy where you might hear some things that you don't like, some things that you might disagree with," he told regional council at the time. "That's why I'm a councillor, why a lot of you are, because we're going to discuss stuff. If there is no discussion, why do we even have a job?"