SACRAMENTO — The city of Sacramento has officially become a transgender sanctuary city, marking a significant milestone as the first in California to receive this designation.
This decision stands as a major triumph for transgender advocates in Lavender Heights, the vibrant heart of Sacramento's LGBTQ+ community.
One of the prominent voices in this movement is Sabrina Naves, a dedicated trans advocate, who highlighted that families are relocating to Sacramento from states with restrictions or bans on gender-affirming health care.
"They've moved to Sacramento. They've come here and they found a welcoming home for themselves," Naves expressed.
The city council's vote to declare Sacramento a transgender sanctuary city aims to provide protection and support to these families.
Prior to the council's decision, there was a clash of opinions between supporters and opponents. Moms For Liberty organized a protest outside city hall.
"This city is saying that we will promote the idea that people can be born in the wrong body and that we will pick up children coming into our state or into the city to give them these surgeries, and we cannot be doing that," expressed Moms For Liberty spokesperson Beth Bourne.
Inside the city council chambers on Tuesday, the policy generated impassioned public testimony.
The new transgender sanctuary city policy in effect will prevent staff from using resources to support legal actions from other states against individuals seeking gender-affirming care.
Currently, 23 states have restrictions or bans on gender-affirming care.
"We are currently being unfairly targeted for political purposes," Naves stated.
This policy, inspired by Ithaca, New York, is a pioneering move in California according to Councilmember Katie Valenzuela. It is effective immediately.
