San Francisco has officially designated itself a “sanctuary city” for transgender, non-binary, gender nonconforming and Two-Spirit people, following a unanimous vote by the city’s Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The move makes San Francisco one of the first major cities in the US to adopt such a status, offering a safe haven for those seeking gender-affirming healthcare.
The declaration comes amid a surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation across the United States. According to the resolution, 40 states are considering laws targeting LGBTQ rights, with nearly half focusing on transgender youth. In 2023, over 600 bills aimed at restricting transgender rights were introduced, and nearly 600 have been considered so far in 2024.
“We have seen an influx of refugees, not just from other countries, but from other states who are seeking care and seeking sanctuary,” said Honey Mahogany, director of San Francisco’s Office of Transgender Initiatives. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro District, added that the measure was a direct response to conservative attacks: “As other cities and states turn up the hate, places like San Francisco need to turn up the love.”
San Francisco has a long history of LGBTQ advocacy, including the nation’s first transgender cultural district, Compton’s Transgender Cultural District, founded in 2017. Other California cities such as Sacramento and West Hollywood have also declared themselves sanctuaries for transgender people.
