These cities are stepping up to provide sanctuary to trans people

"Since 2022, 25 states have banned most gender-affirming care for trans youth, six of which make it a felony for doctors to provide the treatment. Two have banned surgery only. While only 14 and the District of Columbia have shield laws protecting the care, a small but growing coalition of "sanctuary cities" for trans people are filling in the gaps."

"These cities - of which there are an estimated fewer than 10 in the U.S. - are not superficial "safe spaces." For trans kids and their families, they are meant to ensure that local resources aren't used to aid officials from other jurisdictions prosecuting them or their doctors. They also prohibit officials from sharing information about someone's gender, sex, or health care."

"The City Council voted unanimously to make Sacramento a sanctuary city in March 2024. It was the first state capital to adopt that status. "It goes down to the fundamental belief that people are people, and we should respect people for who they are," says Guerra, who was a council member at the time. "And that has helped let our cities move forward.""

Since 2022, 25 states have restricted most gender-affirming care for trans youth, with six states criminalizing doctors and two banning surgery only. Only 14 states plus the District of Columbia have shield laws protecting gender-affirming care. Fewer than ten U.S. cities have declared sanctuary status specifically for transgender residents. Sanctuary city policies refuse local cooperation with outside prosecutions, prohibit sharing of gender or health information, and aim to preserve access to local resources and care. Sacramento became the first state capital to adopt sanctuary status in March 2024 after a unanimous city council vote.

Read at Advocate.com