The new policy shelters doctors and other individuals in Sacramento from punishment ‘based on the laws of other states.’
Dozens of transgender activists clashed with several parental rights protesters outside Sacramento City Hall on March 26 preceding public debate over a trans sanctuary city resolution, which the council unanimously passed.
The resolution declaring Sacramento “a sanctuary city for transgender people,” effective immediately, supports Senate Bill 107, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2022, making California a trans sanctuary state for transgender youth and their parents avoiding prosecution for child abuse in other states.
The city’s new policy shelters doctors and other health care professionals from “criminal punishment, civil liability, administrative penalties, or professional sanctions based on the laws of other states.”
The resolution also states that no city resources shall be used to detain anyone “seeking or providing gender-affirming care, nor the aiding of it,” including “gender affirmation surgery or gender hormone therapy.”
Additionally, it states no city resources are to be used for “cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-of-state agency or department regarding the provision of lawful gender-affirming healthcare or gender-affirming mental healthcare performed in the state of California.”
The resolution cites the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, better known as WPATH, and the Trevor Project—activist organizations that have both come under fire from conservative lawmakers and parental rights groups for advocating gender transitions for children—among other organizations.
City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, who sponsored the resolution, said the trans sanctuary city policy isn’t a symbolic gesture but a binding resolution.
“I’m proud of our state legislature for how they have stepped up to pass laws to protect many communities including and particularly tonight, our LGBTQ plus community, but it isn’t enough,” she said at the Tuesday meeting. “So, I am honored tonight to be bringing forward this resolution.”
Ms. Valenzuela’s city council term will end in December after she lost her reelection bid in California’s top-two jungle primary and will not move forward to the Nov. 5 general election ballot. She conceded the race on March 26.
By Brad Jones
