Florida city declares itself a sanctuary city for LGBTQ people: 'A safe place'

[Jilly_in_VA]

A southeastern Florida city declared itself a sanctuary for LGBTQ people and their families, the first of its kind in a state where advocates say laws and policies are openly targeting the gay community.

Lake Worth Beach commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to declare the city a safe haven for the community. The city is the first municipality in Florida to officially announce itself as a sanctuary city for LGBTQ people, according to a news release from the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

“The City of Lake Worth Beach shall now and forever be considered a safe place, a sanctuary, a welcoming and supportive city for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to live in peace and comfort," the resolution states. The news release also noted that residents in Tallahassee are pushing for a similar declaration.

The announcement, which is largely symbolic, follows a flood of anti-LGBTQ legislation throughout the country. In June, the country's largest gay rights organization issued a "state of emergency," following an "unprecedented and dangerous" spike of anti-LGBTQ laws this year.

Lake Worth Beach's resolution cites data from the American Civil Liberties Union, which tracked more than 490 bills targeting LGBTQ rights in the United States. Many of the bills affect education or health care and have since become law.

The local resolution also cites research from the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that focuses on suicide prevention efforts for the LGBTQ community. The nonprofit conducted surveys in 2022 and found that 86% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported negative mental health impacts from anti-LGBTQ political debates and laws, while 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.

“With so many LGBTQ+ people and allies fleeing Florida for less hostile states, we are thrilled Lake Worth Beach Mayor (Betty) Resch and the city commissioners continue to work to ensure the health, safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ people and our families,” said Rand Hoch, founder and president of the Human Rights Council

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/09/07/lgbtq-sanctuary-city-florida/70789322007/

In your face, DeSatan!

[captain queeg]

1. Ronnie is going to be so mad. Of is it sad? Who cares.

[Jilly_in_VA]

9. Maybe we can make a new word for him and others

"Smad". It kind of works. Sad-mad.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

10. I still like puddin fingers

[Jilly_in_VA]

11. But that's not a verb.

"Smad" is a verb. Or maybe an adverb or an adjective. Puddin Fingers is a descriptor.

[Best_man23]

2. So how long before Gubner Noun/Verb & Woke

Tries to remove the Lake Worth Beach Commission for enacting "Woke" policies on the people of their city? He's removed District Attorneys for the "sin" of having a D behind their name, so why not an entire commission who've chosen to defy his rubber stamp-endorsed anti-LGBTQ legislation?

I do not put it out of the realm of the impossible that he does not at least try this, let's stay tuned as always.

But that said, big time KUDOS to the city of Lake Worth Beach, at least that is one place in my former state that is fighting the good fight (I know there's others).

[magicarpet]

3. When More-Ron becomes the US Pee-resident,..

... and he finishes bombing Disney with nuclear weapons he can then launch some nukes against The City of Lake Worth Beach, Florida.

LGBTQ+ Rights must be crushed and totally eliminated. Christian Fascism and God's Laws demand so.

[hay rick]

4. Not Puh-resident?

[magicarpet]

5. Howz aboutz,...

POO-resident,...

Is that grammatically correct ?

[Making a mockery out of Death-Santis' Oval Office ambitions.]

[Think. Again.]

6. Thank you Lake Worth Beach!

Finally, a florida community willing to show strong compassion for each other!

But I'm also glad to see that this is recognized as a 'symbolic' announcement, because the hard truth is that anywhere within the larger area of Florida must be considered very UNsafe for people, basically off limits to anyone who does not enjoy sadism and violence.

[MichMan]

7. What is the effect of this?

For example, if someone is pulled over for speeding and it is found that they have an open warrant for something like domestic violence or retail fraud, they would not be arrested and turned over to the other jurisdiction as long as they identified as LGBTQ?

Sanctuary cities for immigration won't turn people over to ICE for example. Is this policy similar?

[Chainfire]

8. DeSantis will swoop in on this community and show them who is boss.

Wait for it.

[Chi67]

12. Doubtful

He can’t do anything.