Athens council adopts resolution declaring city a safe haven for gender‑affirming health care

Athens City Council on March 3 approved Resolution 01‑25, declaring the city a safe haven for individuals seeking gender‑affirming health care and urging the administration to adopt policies that protect patients and providers.

The resolution, introduced by Council Member Wood and passed by voice vote after public comment, directs the city to encourage nondiscriminatory service provision, protect health‑related privacy as required by law, support telehealth and pop‑up clinics to narrow access gaps, and oppose criminal prosecution or administrative penalties against people or organizations providing or assisting gender‑affirming care.

The resolution drew more than a dozen public speakers during the allotted public‑comment period. Indigo Snyder, who gave a local address, described moving to Athens to access care she had been denied elsewhere and said the availability of gender‑affirming services “has drastically changed my life for the better.” Spencer Stein, who identified themself as a second‑year medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, said major medical organizations conclude gender‑affirming care saves lives and cited suicide‑related statistics compiled by the Williams Institute. “Gender‑affirming health care saves lives,” Stein said.

Other speakers included longtime Athens residents and local nonprofit leaders who urged council to adopt language that protects providers and patients. Arlie Faber, acting executive director of United Campus Ministry and a board member of the Southeast Ohio Rainbow Alliance, told council that while the resolution cannot override state law, it “tells transgender people that Athens is a place where they are valued, protected, and affirmed.” Several speakers told personal stories of denial of care, risk of mental‑health harm, or positive outcomes from receiving care.

In its findings the resolution cites Athens ordinance 0‑82‑17 (a local ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors) and notes the passage of the Ohio Legislature’s SAFE Act, which the resolution characterizes as restricting gender‑affirming care for minors. The resolution also references the positions of national medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, in support of gender‑affirming care.

Council members who spoke in support praised the community organizers who drafted the resolution and noted Athens’ prior local ordinances protecting minors from conversion therapy. Mayor Patterson said he would sign the resolution if council approved it. The resolution allows the administration to consider specific policy actions, including protecting patient privacy, encouraging telehealth and travel clinics, and reviewing local policies and ordinances to promote access and protection of gender‑affirming care.

The resolution passed by voice vote after the public comment period concluded. The measure does not alter state law; it expresses city council’s policy preferences and asks the administration to adopt supporting municipal policies where allowable by law.

Council recorded no roll‑call tally in the minutes; the resolution passed on a voice vote and was announced as approved.

The council president closed the item and moved to the next agenda items.