Lane County adopts statement reaffirming Oregon Sanctuary Promise Act, affirms support for transgender community

The Lane County Board of Commissioners voted 3–2 Tuesday to adopt Order 250422-05, a statement reaffirming the Oregon Sanctuary Promise Act and explicitly affirming support for transgender people in Lane County.

The action, moved by Commissioner Farr and seconded from the dais, included an added line directing the county to "update and create policies across Lane County to protect the rights of transgender people and immigrants." The board recorded the final tally as 3 in favor, 2 opposed.

The statement lists commitments including upholding Oregon law, not requesting immigration information except as required by law, providing equal access to county services, maintaining inclusive signage and outreach, and affirming the right of people to seek gender-affirming care. County staff emphasized the statement does not obligate new spending. County Administrator Mokheryski said, "there really is nothing in this statement that is new or different from actions the county has historically taken or continues to take." Assistant County Administrator Greg Ryckoff added, "All means all."

Public comment before the vote ran more than an hour and reflected sharp disagreement. Speakers supporting the statement included members of the public health advisory committee and local medical professionals who urged the board to protect access to health care and to reduce fear among immigrant and transgender residents. Dr. Mary Anne Diermeier, a primary care physician who serves on the public health advisory committee, described barriers to care for immigrant patients and urged the board to "stand together and have the backs of every member of our community." Licensed psychologist Carrie Walters and other clinicians said leading medical organizations support gender-affirming care.

Speakers opposed to the statement said it created special protections for some groups, raised concerns about fiscal impacts and about taxpayer liability for medical care, and argued the county should not adopt language they view as privileging particular groups. Several opponents cited moral or religious objections during public comment.

During the staff presentation, Health & Human Services Director Eve Gray described ongoing internal policy review work, including efforts to improve language access and translation accuracy and to identify policies that could be non-inclusive for transgender residents. Gray told commissioners that policy review is already underway in some departments and that adding the directive to update and create policies would reflect work the county is doing but would require ongoing effort.

Commissioners framed the vote as balancing the county’s obligations under state law, protection of vulnerable residents, and the practical limits of county authority. After debate the motion to adopt Order 250422-05, with the added direction on policy updates, passed 3–2.

The board also scheduled additional administrative and consent calendar items for the afternoon and announced two executive sessions to follow the public meeting.