The city of Ithaca, in the US state of New York, has been declared a safe haven for transgender people, with new protections for access to gender-affirming care.
Ithaca was declared a trans sanctuary on Sept. 6 after passing a bill protecting access to gender-affirming care and strengthening anti-discrimination laws, The Ithaca Voice reported.
The city reiterated in the law that it is illegal to discriminate against people based on their gender identity.
The law also says the city will not cooperate with out-of-state law enforcement officials seeking to “seek information or extradite” those who have left for other states where gender-affirming care is provided. illegally obtained, or gender-affirming legal care professionals, in New York.
Jorge DeFendini of the Ithaca Common Council wrote in X, previously Gore: “Ithaca is officially a safe haven for those seeking and providing gender-affirming care.
“Now the work continues to ensure easy access to such health care so queer Ithacans can live the safe and authentic lives they deserve.”
https://twitter.com/JorgeDeFendini/status/1699572742062813265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Ithaca’s move comes just months after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is a series of laws designed to protect the LGBTQ+ community in the state.
Hochul signed five bills into law ahead of the New York City Pride parade on June 25, establishing the state as a “safe haven” for trans people.
The legislation prohibits agencies and laws in other states from interfering with gender-affirming care in New York, and includes two bills on gender-neutral language for state laws and websites.
In a speech before the signing, the governor criticized other US states for their anti-LGBTQ+ stance. No American should “endure these injustices,” he said.
“New York presents the rest of the country with a model of how to treat LGBTQ+ people. “We will always be a beacon for the rest of the country on how to do it right.”
The bills are in stark contrast to much of the rest of the country, which restricts LGBTQ+ rights, with about 20 states, including Texas, Tennessee and Georgia, introducing laws banning child care which confirms gender.
Proposed bans in other states face fierce legal challenges.
According to data collected by the American Civil Liberties Union, approximately 130 laws affecting trans healthcare are currently being pursued across the United States.
