Sacramento, California, has now been designated a "sanctuary city" for transgender people.
A resolution passed by the Sacramento City Council last week prevents transgender people "fleeing" states with bans on sex-change procedures and hormones from being extradited for prosecution. It passed with a unanimous vote.
The resolution's description reads, "This proposal puts forward a draft resolution that would declare the City of Sacramento a sanctuary city for transgender people. The City of Sacramento is already a sanctuary city for immigrants; this proposed resolution would enact the same protections for transgender individuals."
This will also apply to minors.
"California has been a leader in protecting the rights of transgender individuals to access care, but many states across the nation are moving in the opposite direction," the resolution's rationale reads. "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 rationale section continued, "This resolution would also resolve to ensure the rights of transgender individuals in Sacramento are upheld, and that no city resources - including staff time - would be used to detain individuals seeking care, or otherwise to cooperate with jurisdictions seeking to enforce laws criminalizing gender affirming care in other jurisdictions."
Sacramento City Council Member Katie Valenzuela described the resolution to Metro Weekly as a “strengthening measure,” to reinforce California’s “shield law.”
“This is the sort of thing that you hope is never necessary,” Valenzuela said. “You hope it never gets triggered. That there’s never anyone coming to Sac who is potentially fleeing law enforcement for the sole reason of looking for health care.”
Valenzuela added, “This is more than just protecting the people who live here. This is also about protecting people who come here from other communities to ensure that we’re not aiding law enforcement activities in their home jurisdiction who may seek to criminalize their quest for health care.”
