Title
Declaring the City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect the rights and equal protections of all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians in light of the recent increase in attempts to restrict the rights of Transgender people.
Body
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is committed to being a welcoming City for all who wish to live, work or visit. This promise is made to all people, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, Our LGBTQ+ residents must know that the City of Philadelphia is committed to not only recognizing, but actively protecting, their status as welcome residents and visitors, adding to and benefitting from all this great City has to offer; and
WHEREAS, The 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision opened the door for a repeal of not only reproductive rights, but also the potential repeal of LGBTQ+ rights such as marriage equality at the State and Federal levels, as was noted in Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' concurring opinion; and
WHEREAS, As a result, the LGBTQ+ community faces threats to their rights and equal protections, including legalizing discrimination in employment, unequal access to quality housing and healthcare, as well as threats of verbal and physical attacks; and
WHEREAS, Specifically, the Transgender community faces an unprecedented attack from actors who seek to minimize their rights and their voices. State and federal decision makers both here in Pennsylvania and nationally have proposed and, in some cases, passed legislation which is aimed at limiting their ability to live their ability to live freely and authentically. Future legislation and policy could impose criminal punishment, civil liability, administrative penalties, or professional sanctions on health care professionals who provide gender-affirming healthcare and on persons who seek, receive, or assist another in receiving gender-affirming healthcare; and
WHEREAS, Studies have sh...
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