In Bangor, Maine, we believe in supporting and uplifting every member of our community, regardless of their gender identity. Across many states in this country, we are witnessing alarming legislative changes that criminalize parents of transgender kids, restrict access to essential gender-affirming healthcare, and threaten the very right of transgender individuals to live safely and authentically. This deeply concerns us, as it directly affects the lives of individuals and families who simply want to exist freely and securely.

We have a duty to act, to create spaces where all people, regardless of gender identity, can thrive without fear. We are calling on the city of Bangor to stand as a beacon of hope and safety by declaring itself a Trans Sanctuary City. This initiative would mean not cooperating with out-of-state investigations or arrests related to gender-affirming care and rejecting any federal or state efforts to remove transgender children from their supportive families.

Statistics and reports have consistently highlighted the positive impacts of gender-affirming care. According to a study published in the Pediatrics Journal, access to gender-affirming hormone therapy is associated with a significant reduction in suicide risk and major mental health issues among transgender youth. In a nation where nearly 40% of transgender adults report having attempted suicide, these measures aren't just affirming—they're life-saving.

Bangor has always been about solidarity, unity, and steadfast support for marginalized groups. By becoming a Trans Sanctuary City, we can ensure that every transgender person and their family in our city can live freely, without the cloud of fear or threat hanging over their heads.

Please join us in this fight for dignity, safety, and human rights. Let's make Bangor a safe haven once more, where everyone, regardless of gender identity, is welcomed, supported, and loved. Sign this petition to demand that Bangor take this vital step. Together, we can create lasting change.

 Full Resolution Text:

Resolution No. [XX-2025] 
A Resolution Declaring the City of Bangor a Sanctuary for Transgender and Gender-Diverse People 

WHEREAS, transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals are increasingly targeted by 
discrimination, legal restrictions, and harassment across the United States; 

WHEREAS, gender-affirming healthcare, identity expression, and personal autonomy are vital aspects of human dignity and protected rights under both Maine law and international human rights principles;

 
WHEREAS, the City of Bangor is committed to ensuring that all residents, regardless of gender identity or expression, are treated with dignity, respect, and equity; 

WHEREAS, transgender and gender-diverse residents of Bangor contribute meaningfully to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the city and deserve to live free from fear and discrimination; 

WHEREAS, cities across the country, including Northampton, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine, have enacted sanctuary protections to safeguard vulnerable populations from legal harm and targeted enforcement; 

WHEREAS, in 2025 alone, more than 920 bills targeting transgender rights and access to care were introduced across 49 states, with over 110 enacted into law—many of which ban or restrict gender-affirming care for minors in at least 27 states, impose penalties on providers and families, and criminalize parental support, including Wyoming’s HB 156, Florida’s SB 254, and Kansas’s SB 63; 

WHEREAS, in spring 2025, the FBI requested public assistance related to gender-affirming care for minors, raising concerns among medical and civil rights organizations about the privacy and safety of providers and families;

WHEREAS, several states and federal proposals have expanded these restrictions to include gender-affirming care for adults, cutting off access through bans on public insurance coverage, threatening healthcare providers, and attempting to override medical best practices; 

WHEREAS, these laws and policies not only deny transgender and gender-diverse people access to essential medical care but also constitute a broader effort to marginalize transgender individuals and restrict their participation in public life; 

WHEREAS, federal civil‑rights protections for gender identity are under threat, and courts have already limited the ability of agencies like EEOC and HHS to enforce discrimination protections in cases citing religious objections; 

WHEREAS, in 2025, at least 27 states have enacted bans on gender-affirming care for minors,  and four states have provisions allowing investigations or loss of custody for parents who support their transgender children, undermining parental rights and threatening family unity; Wyoming’s HB 156, Florida’s SB 254, Kansas’s SB 63, and Texas initiatives exemplify this trend;

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT: 

1. The City of Bangor affirms its commitment to being a safe, inclusive, and welcoming city for all transgender and gender-diverse residents and their families.

2. The City of Bangor and its departments, officials, and employees shall not participate in or assist with the enforcement of any law, policy, directive, or order that:

Penalizes individuals, families, or providers for seeking or offering gender-affirming healthcare; 

Targets or penalizes individuals based solely on gender identity or expression; or 

Seeks to extradite, investigate, or prosecute individuals for actions that are legal in the State of Maine relating to gender identity or expression. 

3. No city funds, resources, personnel, or facilities shall be used to aid any out-of-state or federal investigation, arrest, or prosecution related to gender-affirming care or lawful gender identity expression, unless compelled by a valid court order issued or recognized by a court of competent jurisdiction within the State of Maine.

4. The City of Bangor shall, within its powers, support and uphold the rights of all individuals to access services, education, housing, employment, and healthcare without discrimination based on gender identity or expression. 

5. The City of Bangor commits to providing staff and department-level training to ensure inclusive and affirming practices for gender-diverse residents. 

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Bangor shall assess and 
implement, where feasible, the designation of all-gender restrooms in city-owned facilities, accompanied by inclusive signage and policies supporting safe access; 

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and be communicated to all city departments and the public as a declaration of the city’s commitment to trans equity, protection, and dignity. 

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City shall publish an annual report on the progress of implementing this resolution, including community feedback, departmental updates, and policy improvements; 

LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City shall not voluntarily enforce any out-of-state court order that seeks to interfere with the custody rights of parents or guardians based solely on their support for a child’s gender identity or access to lawful care in Maine; 

LET IT BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall serve as both a declaration of values and a foundation for future legislative action, including the potential introduction of a city ordinance that aligns with its principles;