CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Chicago is a step closer to establishing a task force to plan better protections for members of the city's transgender community.
President Trump's anti-trans statement at his inauguration has given the issue more urgency.
The City Council's Committee on Health and Human Relations unanimously approved creation of a working group to study the murders and other violence against transgender and non-binary people in the city.
Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa is the lead sponsor.
“We wanted to bring together stakeholders that are trans-led organizations that work with the trans community to bring them together with City officials to say, ‘What can we do,’” Ramirez-Rosa said.
Albe Gutierrez, a therapist and trans woman with the Chicago Therapy Collective said the time for such action is now.
“The current presidential administration has proclaimed only two genders: male and female. But, the reality of the human experience demonstrates that gender expansive people have, do and will always exist,” Gutierrez told the committee.
Alderwoman Jessie Fuentes, who's also LGBTQ+, said Gutierrez isn't fighting alone.
“You have elected officials in this City Council that are going to work every single day to ensure that we are protecting trans siblings across the city of Chicago,” Fuentes said. “We know that this current administration is going to do everything to target our trans siblings.”
The recommendation now goes to the full Council.
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