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WHEREAS, gender identity is a person’s experience of their own gender, their innermost concept of self as masculine, feminine, a blend of both, another gender(s), or none, which is not always congruent with the biological sex or gender assigned at birth; and,
WHEREAS, a person who does not feel that their gender identity matches the gender they were assigned at birth might identify as transgender (or trans), under which identity other labels, such as genderqueer, gender non-conforming, gender creative, and nonbinary, can also be found; and,
WHEREAS, transgender youth are important and valued members of Pittsburgh, including in our schools, and it is the responsibility of all adults, cisgender and trans, to protect their physical, emotional, and mental welfare and to promote all possibilities for them their growth and flourishing in our community; and,
WHEREAS, some trans students and youth must keep their identity secret for their own safety at school, at home, and in the community; and,
WHEREAS, trans youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk by societal mistreatment and stigma; and,
WHEREAS, a 2020 peer-reviewed study by The Trevor Project’s researchers, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that trans youth were 2 to 2.5 times as likely to experience depressive symptoms, seriously consider suicide, and attempt suicide compared to their cisgender LGBQ peers; and,
WHEREAS, trans youth rejected by their families of origin or religious communities thought about or attempted suicide at a markedly higher rate in the past year; and,
WHEREAS, homelessness and housing instability are reported at higher rates among trans youth, including 38% of transgender girls/women, 39% of transgender boys/men, and 35% of nonbinary youth, compared to 23% of cisgender LGBQ youth; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh trans youth report transphobic and hurtful experiences in their daily lives, including at school, in health care settings, and in the general community, despite the City of Pittsburgh’s establishment, in 2000, of protection from discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression, and despite Pittsburgh Public Schools’ establishment of progressive trans-affirming educational policies; and,
WHEREAS, trans students and youth are active members of their school and community settings but are painfully aware of their current status as primary political targets in culture wars that sow fear, spread misinformation, and promote ignorance of trans identities; and,
WHEREAS, a resident of Pittsburgh who attempted to bully and terrorize a Black teen trans girl by posting a 9-foot-homemade billboard facing her bedroom window that bore hateful and harassing language has been found guilty of harassment; and,
WHEREAS, no trans youth in the City of Pittsburgh should be bullied or harassed as part of a culture war, nor should any trans youth have to defend their right to exist; and,
WHEREAS, the residents of the City of Pittsburgh and the broader region responded to this incident by erecting nearly 700 yard signs bearing the slogan ‘Protect Trans Kids’ against the trans pride flag; and,
WHEREAS, all trans youth should receive gender-affirming healthcare, including but not limited to the recognition of their pronouns by healthcare providers during medical and clinical interactions; and,
WHEREAS, schools must create safe bathrooms, locker rooms, and similar ‘gendered’ spaces and actively ensure that all trans students can access them with dignity and peace of mind; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh strives to create environments where all our transgender neighbors can explore their identity safely and connect with others that share similar experiences; and,
WHEREAS, the voices of trans youth must be considered in all efforts to protect trans youth and City Council, as a body and among all members, commits to including trans youth and adult voices in all areas of their work, including but not limited to supporting ‘Protect Trans Kids’ efforts in each Council District; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that during this back-to-school season and heading into important dates such as National Coming Out Day, Spirit Week, LGBTQ History Month, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, the City of Pittsburgh should acknowledge the unique contributions and needs of trans youth and take every possible action to Protect Trans Kids.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh declares Monday, September 12, 2022, “Protect Trans Kids Day,” here in the City of Pittsburgh.