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Olympia becomes Washington's first sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people

Olympia Washington protest intersectional equality flag
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Oct. 2, 2021: Activists in Olympia fighting for equality

The Olympia city council voted unanimously on Tuesday to declare the state capital a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community.


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Olympia is officially the first sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people in Washington state.

The city council voted unanimously at a meeting on Tuesday to declare the state capital a sanctuary for the queer community, specifically outlining protections for transgender people and gender-affirming care. The resolution, introduced by Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray, mandates equal and dignified treatment under the law regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

“Declaring Olympia a sanctuary city means recognizing the inherent worth and equal rights of LGBTQIA2S+ people, and demonstrating a commitment to protecting and advocating for individuals by rejecting policies and actions that promote discrimination, harm and inequity,” Ray said at the meeting, via The Olympian.

While Washington already had in place a "shield” or “refuge” law protecting access to gender-affirming careHB1469, passed in 2023 — the city ordinance will specifically ensure local resources are not used to aid law enforcement from other jurisdictions in their attempts to prosecute the families of minors receiving gender-affirming care, as well as their healthcare providers.

The resolution also prohibits the city from sharing information about an individual’s sex, gender assigned at birth, or health care with other jurisdictions. It states that the city will oppose legislation or investigations from state or federal governments that threaten the safety or dignity of LGBTQ+ people.

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Mayor Dontae Payne said at the meeting that he was initially hesitant to declare the city a sanctuary for any community, but that he was moved by members of the LGBTQ+ community who turned out to speak in favor of the resolution.

“To our community members who showed up, who came here, putting themselves on the line openly in a public meeting, requesting that the council declare Olympia a sanctuary city is something that I will always remember and something that I’m so grateful to all of you for,” Payne said.

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