San Francisco has officially declared itself a "sanctuary city" for transgender and non-binary individuals. The city's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt this status, positioning San Francisco as one of the first major cities in the United States to take such a step.
This resolution designates the city as a safe haven for transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and Two-Spirit people, enabling them to seek transitioning healthcare services. Honey Mahogany, the director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives, cited an increase in refugees from other states and countries seeking sanctuary and care.
The declaration arrives in response to a surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation across the U.S., with around 40 states considering laws that predominantly target transgender youth. In 2023, more than 600 bills aimed at restricting transgender rights were considered, with a similar number already in 2024. For instance, Tennessee passed a law in April criminalizing adults who assist minors in obtaining transgender procedures. In contrast, a federal judge recently blocked key parts of a similar measure in Florida.
Supervisor Rafael Mandelman stated that the measure serves as a counteraction to conservative legislative attacks on transgender individuals. According to him, "As other cities and states turn up the hate, places like San Francisco need to turn up the love."
San Francisco, known for its long-standing support of the LGBTQ community, is home to one of the nation's first gay neighborhoods, The Castro District, and the country's first transgender cultural district, Compton’s Transgender Cultural District. Other cities like Sacramento and West Hollywood have also declared similar sanctuary status for transgender people.