Athens City Council declares city ‘‘safe haven’’ for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals
Photo via TNP staff
A resolution declaring Athens a safe haven for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals was unanimously approved by the Athens City Council at their recent Monday meeting.
While the resolution formally expresses the Council’s desire for Athens to serve as a safe city for individuals seeking and providing gender-affirming care, it doesn’t create or enact any laws or policies safeguarding transgender and gender non-conforming people. It does, however, urge for the adoption of future legislation protecting these individuals. The resolution encourages policies aimed at: decriminalizing gender-affirming care, ensuring inclusive healthcare, prioritizing LGBTQIA+ safety, safeguarding privacy, and reviewing city policies.
Council member Michael Wood of the 3rd Ward introduced the resolution, which was originally drafted by the Ohio University chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA).
“It was important to bring this resolution to city council because it's, for starters, the most accessible level of government that we can actually access, interact with and make change,” Liam Syrvalin, Ohio U student and YDSA President, said. “I think it's just important to organize a community that cares because this community does care, and Athens is very proud of the fact that it's a safe place for trans and non-binary people. So, taking that to city government, making that a public statement and letting people know this is just the start.”
“I think that obviously it's an interesting time to be alive and one of the reasons I ran for council was hoping that we could do things on a community level while there's this kind of national atmosphere in gridlock,” Wood said. “So it's pretty great to be able to do things on the local level that actually help people feel seen and welcome.”
Wood added he hopes to see future and more legally binding legislation to build off this resolution, referencing Athens' 2017 ban on conversion therapy within city limits as a model.
Athens is not the first Ohio city to pass such a resolution with Cincinnati’s City Council adopting a similar "safe haven” resolution in June 2023, and Cleveland Heights’ city council following with their own in Nov. 2024. These resolutions come amidst growing state and federal legislation directed at transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
Within the past year, in Ohio specifically, two laws have been enacted that impact transgender and gender non-confomring individuals rights. House Bill 68, passed in Sept. 2024, bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors and prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in female sports. Senate Bill 104, passed in Nov. 2024, mandates students in primary, secondary and higher institutions use restrooms and other facilities that align with their sex assigned at birth.
In other business:
The Council passes the following ordinances:
Ordinance 0-14-25 authorizing the annual purchase for water softening salt for the water treatment plant for $190,244.
Ordinance 0-17-25 allowing the closure of parts of East Union Street for Ohio U’s International Street Fair on April 5.
The council passed a resolution declaring its support for keeping municipal bonds federally tax exempt.