Took me forever to view the site because it either pummels you with ads or penalize you for using a digital condom (ad-blocker). Finally got the text: Starting in 2022, states and cities across America began declaring themselves sanctuaries for transgender individuals and healthcare providers who are targets of Republian-led anti-trans laws. A “sanctuary” refers to a legal haven where specific groups can be shielded from the laws of other states. For example, if Texas passes a law making it a felony for doctors to provide gender-affirming care, Texan doctors can seek refuge in a state or city that has officially claimed sanctuary status. Sanctuaries work by prohibiting their own resources from being used to further another state’s prosecution of an individual. Different sanctuaries use different language to enact their protections, but the general idea is that individuals who would face charges in their home state can flee to sanctuaries and thus be shielded from potentially harmful laws. Since 2022 when California was the first to announce sanctuary state status, 10 states and the District of Columbia have declared themselves to be sanctuaries for transgender Americans. A handful of cities have done the same (despite one being located in a red state). Among the trans sanctuary states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington. Sanctuary cities include New York City, Kansas City, MO, and West Hollywood. The flood of sanctuary announcements comes in the wake of over 20 states introducing a combined 130 anti-trans pieces of legislation in the 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions. With bans and restrictions starting to kick in, blue states are taking action to provide safe havens for transgender Americans. For some trans folks, seeking gender-affirming care is their first step toward transitioning. And for those undergoing gender-affirming care, these bans are horrifically disruptive and damaging (not to mention a massive invasion of medical rights and privacy). Complicating matters further, the rush of trans patients seeking care in sanctuaries has overwhelmed healthcare providers. This means that trans people in need of care have longer wait times once they make it to a sanctuary, which can frustrate the transition process. This is especially true for trans youth, who may be relying on hormone blockers as part of their care. Beyond protecting healthcare providers and trans people, sanctuaries offer a safe haven for parents of trans kids. Texas Governor Greg Abbott tried and failed last year to mandate that transgender children be placed in foster care. The court cases against Abbott are still in progress, but a temporary order has blocked the mandate from taking effect for the time being. The shadow of anti-trans legislation in red states has been a cause for fear and uncertainty for trans people in America. That progressive states and cities have stepped up to the plate in defense of trans rights is a heartening showing of support for the trans community, and one that the rest of America ought to get in line with. Trans rights are human rights, full stop. More on reddit.com

how are twitter links not banned from this subreddit? lol ya know what, never mind im tired, and im going to bed soon. good for ma More on reddit.com

I'm in Albuquerque NM. Very trans friendly, trans sanctuary state that we codified transgender as well as abortion healthcare rights a year ago. We have some good allies at the state govt level too. there are lots of us here. If you are out and about town for a day, good chance you will see another trans person. Many folks have already been moving here from surrounding red states the last few years already, Myself included. Due to our high population of native americans, there is a general FU attitude toward the federal govt anyway. We are one of the few affordable blue or even purple states left. More on reddit.com

When people are like "why do you need a pride day?"... This is why. We have to create literal safe havens for people because of the friggen ruthless hate inflicted by bigots and putrid individuals. This is why it's not okay to say "I don't care what you do in private just don't shove it in my face"; that's not acceptance or tolerance even, it's willful blindness to their own hatred so they can sleep at night. They can feel justified because of the loud voices now rallying their hated together making them think they are right because they are not alone in their bigotry, but hatred is never godly. It is never right. It is wrong, they are wrong and even though they don't care, it is not American. More on reddit.com