THE HILL/ BROOKE MIGDON-
The South Florida city of Lake Worth Beach has become the state’s first to declare itself a safe haven for LGBTQ people and their families.
City commissioners Tuesday voted unanimously to declare the city a safe haven for LGBTQ people, approving a resolution that reiterates the city’s commitment to “protecting human rights for all individuals.”
“The City of Lake Worth Beach shall now and forever be considered a safe place, a sanctuary, a welcoming and supportive city for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families to live in peace and comfort,” the resolution states.
It cites a recent tidal wave of proposed legislation that targets LGBTQ people in states including Florida.
Nearly 500 bills threatening to roll back the rights of LGBTQ people were introduced this year by lawmakers in more than 40 states, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, and at least 84 became law, more than doubling last year’s total.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in May signed four bills denounced by LGBTQ civil rights groups as a “slate of hate” against the community.
The new laws, which took effect this summer, prevent health care providers from administering gender-affirming care to transgender minors and certain adults, bar transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams, prohibit transgender individuals from using restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity and limit talk of gender and sexuality in public school classrooms.
A federal judge in June temporarily blocked the gender-affirming health care ban from taking effect. Continue reading…
