Massachusetts city declares itself a sanctuary city for the transgender community

The city of Worcester located in Massachusetts voted to officially become a sanctuary city for the transgender community. 

Multiple residents of the county spoke at a city council meeting last week where they voiced support for Worcester to become a sanctuary city for the transgender community.

The city council approved the resolution Tuesday in a 9-2 vote.

This movement for a transgender sanctuary city started after the first nonbinary individual was elected to the city council and said the environment was transphobic, according to NBC News.

A local group called the Queer Residents of Worcester and Our Allies filed a petition and requested the city ensure that the LGBTQ+ community has access to healthcare and education without being discriminated against.

The petition also requested that the city not cooperate with policies from the federal government that target transgender or "diverse" people.