Akron DSA 2024 Priority Campaign

Make our Cities Trans Sanctuary Cities

Passed May 2024

Author(s): Tim D, Stephanie B, Ben G, Kurtis R, Gordon S

Whereas a substantial portion of the working class, the LGBTQ community, is being directly attacked by the Ohio legislature;

Whereas Akron DSA supports the rights of the LGBTQ community including that trans youth deserve gender affirming care;

Whereas DSA passed a resolution in support of a national Trans Rights & Bodily Autonomy Campaign (TRBAC) during its August 2023 National Convention;

Whereas Akron DSA believes that the working class generally does not wish to infringe on the human rights of trans people;

Whereas the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on April 29, 2024 that health insurance plans run by U.S. states must cover gender-affirming surgeries for transgender people;

Whereas Akron DSA believes that there are number of cities within our chapter’s jurisdiction that would positively respond to a Sanctuary City ordinance to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community, and;

Whereas when other Sanctuary City ordinances have been passed, the LGBTQ community has significantly benefited;

Therefore, be it resolved that Akron DSA will launch a priority campaign to create an ordinance to present to cities within our chapter’s jurisdiction declaring them a sanctuary city for LGBTQ individuals.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Akron DSA chapter will reach out to like-minded organizations to recruit them as allies to back the Sanctuary City ordinance

Therefore, be it resolved that the Akron DSA chapter will engage in political action to persuade City Councils to pass the Sanctuary City ordinance including but not limited to; speaking at public commit, having discussions with council members, reaching out to members of the community asking them to contact their council members

Therefore, be it resolved that Akron DSA will reevaluate the effectiveness of this campaign on a quarterly basis after this resolution has been passed by a majority vote by the Akron DSA chapter starting with the 3rd quarter of 2024

Therefore, be it resolved that if chapter members determine during said reevaluation the campaign is expending more resources than benefit is being gained, a vote will be held to deprioritize the campaign.