Delco Council votes unanimously to support LGBTQ+ community and transgender healthcare

Delaware County made history this week, becoming the first suburban county in the Philadelphia area to explicitly declare itself a safe haven for LGBTQ+ community members and for trans healthcare and healthcare providers.

In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the Delaware County Council voted 5-0 on a resolution that will support LGBTQ+ residents and reaffirm equity, dignity and protection for all sexual and gender identities.

“All of us are better off when all of us are protected,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “All of us are better off when none of our neighbors are afraid of being targeted for who they are – especially by their own government.”

Estimates indicate that approximately 20% of the United States population identifies as LGBTQ+; in Delaware County, that estimation amounts to more than 115,000 residents.

The resolution is comprised of four main components, as communicated by U.D.T.J., the community advocates who supported this cause in Delco:

1. Delaware County reaffirmed its commitment to protecting human rights for all residents, including the right to access healthcare, education, and the peaceful enjoyment of life.
2. The county has now explicitly declared itself a safe and welcoming place for transgender and non-binary people to live, receive care, and be affirmed.
3. Delco has pledged to ensure LGBTQ+ families are supported and able to thrive, and has voiced strong support for gender-affirming healthcare.
4. Unless required by lawful authority, county personnel will not cooperate with out-of-state attempts to obtain confidential healthcare information.

“Right now, we are in such a tragic time of sliding backward where hatred has been normalized,” said Delaware County Councilmember Kevin Madden. “This resolution could not come at a better time.”

The resolution was met with overwhelmingly positive reception from the Delco residents who were in attendance to support the measure.

“We’re countering these forces of inhumanity and cruelty to the extent that we can,” said Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer. “I’m really proud of this board for being willing to step up and do it, despite whatever consequences we may suffer.”

The resolution will take effect across Delaware County immediately, underscoring Delco’s commitment to making Delaware County a safe place for all of its residents.