Philadelphia joined a growing number of cities calling themselves places of refuge for transgender people when Mayor Jim Kenney signed on Tuesday, October 17 an executive order protecting those who come to the city for gender-affirming care.

What Does This Mean?

The order prohibits the city from using any resources to assist states that seek to investigate or punish someone for providing or receiving gender-affirming care in Philadelphia. This means access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and treatments for transgender youth will not be blocked for anyone from any state if they choose to come to Philadelphia for these services and medical providers cannot be punished for treating individuals by states who restrict this care.

“Today’s executive order also sends a message that we respect and value our medical providers here in Philadelphia,” - Sultan Shakir, President and Executive Officer, Mazzoni Center