Government leaders officially approved a policy designating the City of Kansas City a safe haven for gender-affirming healthcare. Let's break that down.

About the policy

This resolution — introduced by 6th District Councilwoman Andrea Bough, Mayor Quinton Lucas, and 4th District Councilman Eric Bunch — directs City personnel to refrain from criminally prosecuting or imposing administrative penalties on an individual or organization for providing, seeking, receiving, or assisting another individual who is seeking gender-affirming healthcare.

What is gender-affirming healthcare?

As defined by the World Health Organization, this encompasses a range of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical interventions “designed to support and affirm an individual's gender identity” when it conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth.

LGBTQ+ support in KC

Curious to learn more about this policy, how it impacts Kansas Citians, and get some context on this issue in our community? Here are some resources and groups that may be of interest:

Check out this LGBTQ+ employee resource group.
In 2022, Kansas City received a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index.
Find support at the Kansas City Center for Inclusion.
See a list of more initiatives + resources here.