Indiana city's council declared it a safe haven for gender-affirming care. Here's what it means
Last week, The Herald-Times reported that the Bloomington City Council approved a resolution declaring the city a safe haven for gender-affirming healthcare.
Here's what to know.
What does the Bloomington resolution mean?
The resolution was a rebuke to the Indiana General Assembly's passage of SB 480 in 2023, which bans gender-affirming care for minors in the state. The law went into affect earlier this year.
The resolution directs city staff not to penalize any individual or organization for providing, seeking, receiving or helping someone else obtain gender-affirming care, which is defined in the resolution as medical, surgical, mental health and non-medical services to support and affirm a person's gender identity.
More from The Herald-Times: Council votes to make Bloomington 'safe haven' for gender-affirming care
Why was this resolution introduced in Bloomington?
Bloomington has long aimed to be an inclusive city.
In introducing the resolution, sponsor Courtney Daily said a yes vote would "uphold our city’s reputation for being a welcoming and safe space and confirming Bloomington’s inclusiveness and acceptance.”
Co-sponsor Matt Flaherty gave his time to the chair of the Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission Ryne Shadday, who said the 1975 Bloomington City Council was the first to pass a civil rights ordinance that included sexual orientation as a protected class.
He also pointed out council members Dave Rollo and Andy Ruff were both on the city council in 2006 when the council took a stand against discrimination based on gender identity.
Who voted on the resolution to make Bloomington a safe haven for gender-affirming care?
All council members who were present voted in favor; Isak Asare was absent.
Rollo said although he wanted more time to consider the resolution, his support for the LGBTQ+ community was unwavering.
"I will be supporting this resolution because I care about the members of our community and I don’t wish any discrimination against them by the state," he said.
Where does the mayor stand on the resolution?
Mayor Kerry Thomson indicated her support for the resolution, which will become an official policy once she has signed it.
Jill Bond is a reporter for The Herlad-Times.
Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bloomington will be a gender-affirming care 'safe haven,' council votes
