MEDIA, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Delaware County are pushing forward in the fight for LGBTQ rights, as they designate the county as a “safe haven.”
Delaware County Council unanimously passed a resolution this week affirming its commitment to protecting human rights including access to healthcare, education and peaceful enjoyment of life for all people in the county, including LGBTQ residents.
“Having DELCO become the first suburban county outside of Philly to be a safe haven for the LGBTQ and trans community is a huge step in the right direction,” said Kyle McIntyre, director of operations and programming for advocacy group U.D.T.J., “protecting providers of gender affirming care and ensuring that our trans, nonbinary and gender-expansive communities will have protections to seek care here in Delaware County.”
That’s just the start, according to McIntyre, who said a county-wide non-discrimination ordinance is also in the works, which would provide civil protections to the county’s LGBTQ community. He said the county’s “safe haven” designation is more than just words.
“It’s still so important these days when it feels like there is so much silence and so many people are not willing to weigh in to the conversation as it relates to gender-affirming care or standing up for our trans community,” he said, adding that U.D.T.J. has also asked state-level leaders to step up and speak on the community’s behalf.
“It means a lot to know that our government is going to have our backs and that they’re willing to speak up and stand up in defense of our communities.”