Letter: Don't Deny Trans Youth Access to Sports

To the Editor:

Last night [Thursday], I attended the Berkshire Transgender Rights Town Hall at Pittsfield's Unitarian Universalist Church. And I am so grateful that I did.

In a room packed with members of the local trans community, allies and Massachusetts state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, trans neighbors from across the county shared heartbreaking, powerful, profound, inspiring and eye-opening personal testimonials about their childhood struggles; battles to survive cruelty, abuse, depression; and in several cases, the very real and transformative power of participating in sports as young people.

In April of this year Massachusetts passed a budget bill that included a transgender sports ban, which, if it becomes law, will limit trans youth to participating only on teams that align with their biological sex. Transphobic media would have us believe that allowing trans kids to participate will create a lack of fairness in school sports, but there is no scientific evidence to prove this. Athletic abilities vary greatly from person to person, and there are many misconceptions about testosterone levels and their impact on performance. (Visit genderjustice.us for more information.)

What would be truly unfair is to deny any young person the opportunity to participate fully in school life. Athletics provide an important place of social connection and belonging. They support physical, mental and emotional health and often lead to greater academic success. In addition, allowing cisgender and trans kids to interact in this way provides a crucial opportunity for increased understanding, acceptance and respect.

Trans people are in the crosshairs in countless ways right now. Fueled by well-funded and vicious propaganda meant to create a political wedge by sowing fear and division, this administration is working hard — and succeeding — in threatening their rights, safety, livelihood and very existence. The goal seems to be to obliterate them entirely, to make them unwelcome in our society, and to render them invisible.

Jurian Hughes
Pittsfield, Mass.

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.