The city council of Sacramento has voted unanimously to declare the capital of California a sanctuary city for transgender people.
California is already a sanctuary state, but this new city law will make sure that local resources are not used to help law enforcement from other areas prosecute the families of minors who are receiving gender-affirming care, and the healthcare providers who are treating them.
Council member Katie Valenzuela, who proposed the resolution, said during the council meeting on Tuesday that “we view this as a way to make things stronger,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
“She said that this is about more than just keeping the people who live here safe,” “This is also about keeping people safe when they visit here from other communities. We want to make sure that we don’t help law enforcement in their home area if they try to make seeking healthcare a crime.”
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Valenzuela mentioned that city officials who break the resolution will face “corrective action,” but she didn’t explain what that would involve. “This is something that you hope you never have to do,” she continued. “You don’t want it to happen.” There is no one coming to Sacramento who is potentially running away from the police just to seek medical treatment.
In 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 107, making California a sanctuary state for gender-affirming care. The law says that states cannot punish people who go to California to get a life-saving treatment. This means they can’t stop information from being shared or arrest and send someone back to their home state based on a court order from that state.
According to the Times, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said before the vote on Tuesday that when it comes to civil rights, there is no room for uncertainty or differing opinions. “Our city is consistent and strong when it comes to talking about the human rights of people,” he said.
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