Queer and trans people–like everyone–deserve access to the healthcare needed to thrive, to have their civil rights protected, and to be able to fully participate in our society. In the past few months, the Trump Administration and right-wing-led states have intensified their campaign of hate against LGBTQ+ people–especially trans people. These attacks are part of a broader effort to push trans people out of public life entirely. LGBTQ+ rights often are the canary in the coal mine of democratic backsliding. Authoritarian leaders target queer and trans people precisely because their rights are seen as less institutionalized than other groups. The extreme right-wing uses these transphobic and homophobic attacks to distract us from their deeply unpopular agenda of cutting healthcare and food assistance to give massive tax breaks to billionaires.
But local leaders across the country must stand strong with our communities and advance a different vision of what is possible. In this post, (1) we will share some examples of localities taking action to protect LGBTQ+ communities, (2) resources to learn more and engage, and (3) opportunities for action.
The following are just a handful of examples of how communities nationwide are resisting – standing up to the Trump Administration’s harmful policies and protecting their communities.
- Alameda County, CA – In response to executive orders signed by President Trump aimed at immigrants, transgender people, and reproductive rights, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors formed a committee to secure protections for community members whose civil rights and safety could be impacted. After spearheading an increase in funding for immigrant service and legal defense, the committee will also turn to ways to protect LGBTQ+ communities.
- Athens, OH – In March, the Athens City Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring the city a safe haven for trans and non-binary individuals seeking gender-affirming healthcare. The resolution asks the city’s administration to pursue measures such as advocating for the decriminalization of gender-affirming care and pursuing other efforts that protect the safety of LGBTQ+ residents.
- Boston, MA – In March, the city council passed a resolution affirming its status as a sanctuary for LBGTQ+ communities, specifically calling on city agencies not to cooperate or comply with federal efforts that target LGBTQ+ residents.
- Iowa City, IA – As Iowa’s Governor signed a bill removing gender identity as a protected class and undermining civil rights for Iowans across the state, Iowa City announced it will hold a weeklong celebration of transgender people surrounding Trans Day of Visibility. The city’s efforts will open conversations about local protections to support trans residents and how to advocate at the state level.
- Olympia, WA – The city extended their existing sanctuary status to LGBTQ+ communities, resolving to protect information about individuals’ assigned gender at birth, to support the right to gender affirming care, and to not dedicate resources to enforce laws contrary to the city’s commitments to LGBTQ+ residents.
- Santa Monica, CA – In February, the city passed a resolution directing city staff to prevent city resources from being utilized in any efforts by another government to track or block care given to LGBTQ+ patients.
- Worcester, MA – Declaring itself to be a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people, Worcester City Council directed the city to ensure its resources and property are not used to detain anyone seeking or providing gender-affirming care or to track information about those seeking such care.
📚 Resources
- Equality Federation – Find and connect with your state-based LGBT advocacy organization.
- Trans 101 – For those who are unfamiliar, this Trans 101 guide offers a starting place for those who want to learn about transgender people.
- The State of Schools for Trans Youth – The maps and resources detail the bans on school sports participation, facilities usage, censorship laws, forced outing, and other efforts to discriminate against transgender youth in states across the country.
- Injunction Against Trump’s Anti-Trans Healthcare Order – Information about a lawsuit that resulted in an injunction blocking enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive orders threatening federal funding for providers of gender-affirming medical care for people under 19.
- Anti-Trans State Legislation Tracker – This resource tracks legislation that seeks to block trans people from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to publicly exist.
- How to Testify for Trans Rights – This is a comprehensive guide to testifying for trans rights in front of school boards, city councils, state legislatures, and more
💥 Take Action
As a local leader, you have the power to take actions that will further the health and safety of LGBT residents. Engage grassroots organizations serving LGBT communities or consider forming a task force or committee that engages directly with constituents. Our policy toolkit Protecting Our Communities and Fighting for Democracy in a Second Trump Administration has a full suite of recommendations, but consider starting with these ideas:
- Establish local gender-affirming photo identification. As the Trump Administration aims to remove accurate sex designations from federal identification, cities should establish municipal photo IDs that allow trans and genderqueer people to choose an accurate sex marker and self-attest their name.
- Protect all students’ rights to control and express their identities. Pass enforceable school district policies that protect students’ rights to be addressed by their affirmed name and pronouns; participate in school activities, including sports, and access school facilities, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, consistent with their affirmed gender; not be outed by school officials and others without consent; and not be subject to discipline or other unfair treatment due to nonconformity with sex-based stereotypes.
- Fund local gender-affirming care or travel to states/localities offering it. In jurisdictions where gender-affirming care has been curtailed by preemptive state legislation, localities should set aside funds with minimal strings or data collection to aid travel by those seeking such care elsewhere. In jurisdictions where gender-affirming care is available, localities should fund its provision, as well as funding welcome services to families traveling from out of town to access care.
