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Delaware County council declares county a ‘safe haven’ for LGBTQ+ residents; resolution passes unanimously
Summary
After public testimony both supporting and opposing it, Delaware County Council on June 4 adopted Resolution 2025‑09 declaring the county a safe jurisdiction for LGBTQ+ residents and for gender‑affirming health care. Council members signaled broad support and voted to approve the measure.
Delaware County Council voted unanimously June 4 to adopt Resolution 2025‑09, declaring the county a safe jurisdiction for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer residents and reaffirming support for gender‑affirming health care.
The resolution, introduced by council leadership and discussed at length during the meeting, says the county “reconfirms its commitment to protecting human rights for all individuals” and specifically calls Delaware County a “safe haven for transgender and nonbinary people” and a supportive place for LGBTQ+ families.
The measure drew substantial public comment. Kyle McIntyre, UDTJ co‑founder and advisory board member, told the council: “This resolution is an opening act. It affirms that trans people are not just welcome here, they will be protected here.” Kayla Cachi, director of resources and services at the UDTJ Community Center, urged council to pair symbolic protections with enforceable policy: “This resolution gives Delaware County a chance to leave with courage to say clearly, we will not participate in harm.”
Transgender children’s author Jesse Collins, who said he receives gender‑affirming care, told the council, “Health care decisions need to remain between doctors and their patients.” Several other speakers — including residents who identified as transgender or nonbinary — described leaving the county in the past to find care elsewhere and asked council to follow the resolution with further protections and local policies.
A smaller number of public commenters opposed the resolution. Speakers who opposed it cited religious or historical objections; their comments were delivered during the same public‑comment period and were recorded in the meeting transcript.
Council members framed the vote as a statement of county values during a period of active legislative and administrative challenges to LGBTQ+ rights nationally. Several members described the resolution as a first step and said the county’s ability to adopt binding ordinances is limited compared with municipalities and the state, but that the declaration could guide county policy and signal support for residents and local providers.
After discussion, the chair called the question. The clerk recorded the vote as approved; council members answered “aye” and the chair said, “The ayes have it.”
The resolution does not itself change county code or create a countywide nondiscrimination ordinance; council members and several speakers noted that additional, enforceable measures would require further action and, in some cases, municipal or state authority. Council members invited continued engagement and said they would explore what next steps are feasible for the county government.
Council also used the same meeting to promote local Pride events scheduled for the coming week, including a flag‑raising ceremony and a parade in Media that the county and community groups said would be followed by family‑oriented activities.
Votes and next steps: Council approved Resolution 2025‑09 by voice vote; members said they intend to discuss potential follow‑up measures and to consult with staff and community stakeholders about implementation and any additional legal protections the county can adopt.
