Dane County, Wisconsin is considering a resolution that would declare sanctuary status for people who self-identify as transgender or nonbinary, including children.

On Thursday, the board supervisors in Dane County plan to vote on a resolution “declaring Dane County as a sanctuary for trans and nonbinary individuals.”

“In this hostile environment, some cities and counties across the country are taking steps to support and protect trans and nonbinary individuals,” the resolution says. “Dane County values its transgender and nonbinary residents and vigorously opposes measures that would allow legal violence toward trans people in accessing gender-affirming care or expression.”

The resolution states that it should be a “fundamental right” for kids to have access to sex-reassignment drugs and procedures, instructing local law enforcement to ignore any violations of statewide prohibitions on gender-affirming care.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Dane County Board of Supervisors firmly states its commitment to protect transgender and nonbinary individuals, and believes that access to health care is a fundamental right and all people in Dane County and the State of Wisconsin should have access to all health care, including gender-affirming care,” the resolution states.

“[I]f the state of Wisconsin passes a law that imposes criminal or civil punishments, fines, or professional sanctions on any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives or helps someone to receive gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers, hormones, or surgery, the Dane County Board of Supervisors urges the Sheriff to make enforcement their lowest priority.”

“Be it further resolved that Dane County be considered a safe place, a sanctuary, for transgender children and adults and their families,” the resolution adds.

News of this resolution was posted on Twitter by a Wisconsin mother and political activist, Scarlet Johnson.

Johnson wrote that this resolution will mean that “kids cannot be prevented from: Being exposed to pornographic materials, Participating in sexualized drag queen shows, Potential sterilization and medical harm from cross sex hormones, [and] Removing their genitalia/reproductive organs.”

Speaking to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about his intent to ban gender reassignment surgery for minors, Rep. Scott Allen (R-Wisc.) said, “We want to help people who need help. We want to provide the resources and support and the love that they need, while not resorting to drastic measures that are permanent that they may someday regret.”

Allen used the mental illness anorexia as an example, saying, “What if we affirmed the anorexic’s belief? That is medical malpractice.”

 

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