California City Wants to Become Transgender 'Sanctuary'

[Jessica_Rose]

California City Wants to Become Transgender 'Sanctuary'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/california-city-wants-to-become-transgender-sanctuary/ar-BB1kA6Of?ocid=windirect&cvid=c32da98de352443cbd0c69c595bac666&ei=21

Story by Mandy Taheri (26 March 2024)

Council members in California's capital city are scheduled to consider a resolution Tuesday that would declare Sacramento a "sanctuary city" for transgender people. The proposal will be presented at the council's 5 p.m. session this evening, notably after Mayor Darrell Steinberg recognizes International Transgender Week of Visibility.

District 4 Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, who introduced the resolution, told Newsweek that it is "modeled after similar sanctuary city legislation we passed to protect immigrants and asylum seekers." It seeks to ensure transgender rights and prevent the use of city resources, including law enforcement officers, to detain those seeking gender-affirming care.

"We are starting to see more people come to our community seeking gender-affirming care," Valenzuela told Newsweek, adding that this legislation was "directly informed by constituents of mine who identify as LGBTQ+."

"In preparation of future legislation that may criminalize those providing or seeking gender-affirming care and given the Council's stated values of equity and inclusion, it is important for the City of Sacramento to be proactive in reiterating our commitment to transgender rights and equal protections for transgender people by declaring ourselves a sanctuary city and a place of safety for transgender people," the proposal reads.