The dialogue surrounding the rights of transgender individuals has entered a new phase in Dane County, Wisconsin. The county is currently discussing the possibility of declaring itself a sanctuary for “transgender and nonbinary individuals,” including minors.
The upcoming county board meeting on Thursday will feature debates on the resolution, following initial discussions within the executive committee. The resolution is a response to the increasing hostility faced by transgender and nonbinary individuals nationwide. It underscores the county’s commitment to its transgender and nonbinary residents, vehemently opposing any actions that may facilitate legal violence against them, particularly in their pursuit of gender-affirming care or self-expression.
The resolution explicitly recognizes that children possess a “fundamental right” to access sex-reassignment drugs and procedures. It outlines the promise of the Dane County Board of Supervisors to safeguard transgender and nonbinary individuals, asserting that access to healthcare, including gender-affirming care, is a fundamental right. Additionally, should Wisconsin pass laws that could result in criminal or civil punishments, fines, or professional penalties for any individual or organization involved in providing, receiving, or assisting in obtaining gender-affirming care (such as puberty blockers, hormones, or surgery), the county board urges that enforcement should be the least prioritized.
The resolution also calls for Dane County to be recognized as a place of safety or sanctuary for transgender children, adults, and their families. It encourages school boards within the county to adopt similar positions, with copies of the resolution to be sent to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and other state and local lawmakers and officials.
Currently, 20 out of the 37 supervisors in the county have sponsored the resolution. If approved, it would join a limited number of comparable measures implemented throughout the country, including those in Austin, Texas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
This update has been provided by parent activist Scarlett Johnson, who was the first to report on the resolution on Twitter.