West Lafayette pushes back on state threats to transgender community

City council passes resolution on gender-affirming care, says it wishes it could do more to counter recent laws, statements from the state, federal officials

• Support for this edition comes from the West Lafayette Public Library Foundation. Join us as we celebrate 30 years of supporting the West Lafayette Public Library. You are invited to a Birthday Party Celebration for the West Lafayette Public Library Foundation on Sunday, July 13, from 2-4 p.m. at the library, 208 W. Columbia St. Enjoy some cake and a short program as we make this milestone together and kick off our $30 for 30 years campaign! Learn more at www.wlplf.org/30years. An RSVP is not required, but will help us plan (for enough cake!). Also, save the date for our 2nd annual Ice Cream Social at the Caretaker's Cottage on Aug. 16, 1-3 p.m.

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WEST LAFAYETTE PUSHES BACK ON THREATS TO TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY

Pushing back on what they called unnecessary torment of the transgender community at the state and federal level, West Lafayette City Council members Monday approved a statement backing gender-affirming care.

Allies of the transgender community, who had been pressing the council in recent months for the measure, called the moment an important one, establishing West Lafayette as a sort of safe zone even if it doesn’t directly attempt to flout state law that bans gender-affirming care for minors.

“This is absolutely huge,” AJ Dunn, who was among those worked with the city council to write and pass the resolution, said Monday night. “Like I’ve said, this resolution is absolutely going to save lives, with this being basically a safe haven where the city is going to stand with its transgender residents and do what they can to shield us from unnecessary attacks.”

No one spoke against the resolution Monday before a unanimous city council vote.

Several city council members said they wished they could have done more.

(Photo: Dave Bangert)