Whitehall passes resolutions to protect immigrants, deem city a LGBTQ+ 'safe haven'

WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) -- Whitehall passed a pair of resolutions last week aimed at protecting immigration rights and declaring the city a "safe haven" for the LGBTQ+ community.

City Council voted on April 15 to adopt a resolution proclaiming Whitehall welcoming to immigrants, and another designating the city a LGBTQ+ safe haven. The resolutions drew a packed crowd of advocates and Whitehall residents, who nearly all said they were in favor of the proposals given recent federal hostility to both minority groups.

"These resolutions cost you, cost us, nothing to be supportive of marginalized people in this country," said Whitehall resident George Western during the meeting. "No one in the LGBTQIA community is here to do anything to you. They wish only to be left alone to live their lives as we wish to be left to live our lives. ... The same can be said for most immigrants. They came here looking for a better life."

Introduced by Councilwoman Amy Harcar, the immigration resolution promises to not hinder resident access to critical services like food, healthcare, education and housing, regardless of immigration status. Whitehall also said it would "uphold the constitutional rights of all residents" and provide language access services to ensure that immigrant communities can "fully participate in civic life."

The resolution's previous version, debated during a March council meeting, included a provision requiring Whitehall to block city resources from aiding federal immigration enforcement. The provision was removed by councilmembers shortly before the resolution's passage.

The LGBTQ+ resolution rebukes House Bill 68, the Ohio law banning gender-affirming care for minors, and states Whitehall will not criminally prosecute those providing, seeking or receiving such treatment. The resolution also reaffirms marriage equality and states it respects "the right of the trans/non-binary community to use the bathroom that matches their gender expression" in municipal buildings.

Harcar's previous draft would've banned conversion therapy, anti-LGBTQ+ practices that claim to change a person's sexual identity or gender orientation, within city limits. However, the resolution was amended to state that Whitehall "condemns conversion therapy" instead.

The resolution mirrors a similar measure passed by Athens City Council in March, which declares the city a safe haven for trans people and advocates against criminal prosecution for those providing or seeking gender-affirming care.

Joseph Soza, an Equality Ohio community organizer and neighboring resident, noted during the April meeting that Ohio is one of 28 states without LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination policies, meaning an individual can be fired from their workplace, denied services and rejected or removed from housing based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Soza encouraged council to again consider outlawing conversion therapy in the future, pointing to Westerville and 12 other Ohio municipalities that have passed their own bans given the Statehouse has yet to implement a statewide ban.

"As a queer person myself, resolution 11-25 in particular is very encouraging to me, especially given the political environment we're in, which is rife with attacks on the LGBTQ community, especially trans rights," Soza said. "It's more important than ever for municipalities to take action and to make a statement."

Teddi Sharp, another Whitehall resident, also spoke in support of both resolutions and implored Whitehall officials and residents to have more empathy for trans community members.

"I'm not part of their community, but they all have been legitimate people, human beings. ... There is nothing to fear from a trans woman, there is nothing to fear from a trans man," Sharp said. "With our immigrant situation, I enjoy all of the restaurants and all of the entrepreneurship of the people that live in my community, that have brought such a diversity to our city."