City council members in Whitehall, Ohio, are considering a pair of resolutions that advocates said would protect transgender and immigrant residents.
The resolutions were introduced by Councilwoman Amy Harcar and would require Whitehall to refuse to prosecute any individual or group seeking “gender-affirming” care and deny the use of city resources for federal immigration enforcement, according to a report.
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“I know that these are not simple issues, and I do want to make sure they are well thought out before things move forward,” Harcar said.
????NEW: The city of Whitehall, OH is considering two resolutions to become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants and “gender-affirming care.”
— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) March 18, 2025
Councilwoman Amy Harcar’s gender resolution would direct Whitehall to buck any state or federal that prohibits sex change procedures.
The… pic.twitter.com/zHJ5WsOW0p
The pair of resolutions contradict the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration, and the resolution to defend “gender-affirming” care stands in direct conflict with Ohio’s SAFE Act, which bans transgender procedures for minors and the participation of transgender student-athletes in female sports.
Harcar’s resolution for transgender residents would also prohibit conversion therapy, allow residents to use whatever restroom they choose, and declare the city’s opposition to the SAFE Act, according to the report.
At least 15.7% of residents in Whitehall are immigrants or refugees, according to the U.S. Census. The councilwoman’s legislation would make the city affirm the decision to help all of them regardless of an individual’s status, the report noted.
The resolutions are inspired by other local actions taken across Ohio, according to Harcar.
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“They’re primarily pulled from what other some cities and municipalities have done to offer some protections for some members of the community that may be particularly vulnerable,” she said.
Both pieces of legislation are still in the development stage, according to Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens. The resolutions are set to be read for consideration on April 15.