Recently, Lakewood City Council redoubled its commitment to the city’s trans community and allies by passing its Gender Freedom Resolution and administrative policy.
The resolution and administrative policy protect Lakewood residents who receive gender-affirming healthcare from external investigations that seek personal patient information. They also ensure city employees will receive the training they need to protect this private information.
Additionally, the resolution makes investigations related to gender-affirming care, drag performances, and other policies that would harm the transgender community the lowest possible priority. Further, the resolution would prohibit the detention of residents solely for seeking or providing care.
Finally, and vitally, the resolution reaffirms that the city will provide coverage of gender-affirming care for its employees “even if such care must legally be provided outside the State of Ohio.”
Of course, municipalities are bound by state and federal law, which the resolution acknowledges. However, as Council President Sarah Kepple, Councilmember Cindy Strebig, and other members have noted, the city has limited resources and as such needs to order its own priorities.
In Councilmember Strebig’s own words, from the September 22 meeting of Council’s Committee of the Whole: “With our home-rule authority limited and shrinking… we can still identify our priorities and commitments to keeping Lakewood a diverse and welcoming community.”
What’s “Home Rule,” you ask? Article XVIII of the Ohio Constitution grants municipalities certain powers, known as home rule powers, including the power of local self-government and the power to adopt and enforce local police, sanitary, and other similar regulations that are not in conflict with general state laws.
Beyond the discussion of the policy specifics, though, the Gender Freedom resolution and administrative policy are a clear message to Lakewood’s trans community that their local elected leaders stand with them. Instead of seeing yet another headline about elected leaders legislating away their rights, trans youth and adults for once were able to read about a beautiful show of solidarity in the news.
The ACLU of Ohio commends Lakewood City Council for taking this step and being an example for other cities to follow. Beyond that, we are eager to see municipalities take up other local reforms, such as ensuring access to single-occupancy restrooms within their limits.
At a time when our elected leaders at the federal and state levels are advancing attack after attack on our rights, cities and counties truly can be bastions in defense of their communities.
