by Austin Hornbostel, the Lawrence-Journal World – July 13, 2023

Following weeks of public outcry urging Lawrence city leaders to enact protections for transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people, a local initiative has confirmed that it’s working with city attorneys to draft a safe-haven ordinance.

The Lawrence City Commission has heard ample public comment at recent meetings from community members concerned about the Kansas Legislature’s passage of SB 180, which bans transgender people from using the bathrooms and other gender-specific areas associated with their gender identity. Those commenters have urged city leaders to take further action to provide a safe haven for individuals who are affected by the law.

The No SB 180 in Lawrence initiative, which helped lead that charge, announced late last week that city attorneys were working with the group to craft such an ordinance codifying protections against both present and future anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. The ordinance could be included on a City Commission agenda in early August. The group has developed a survey to gather suggestions that will inform that process, as well as aid in the group’s general organizing efforts.

A memo from the City Manager’s Office included with the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting notes that the city has held two meetings with representatives with No SB 180 in Lawrence and attorney David Brown to discuss their concerns. Along with those representatives, the City Attorney’s Office, the City Manager’s Office and the Office of Equity and Inclusion are working together on the ordinance.

Isaac Johnson, a trans man who’s a member of the No SB 180 in Lawrence initiative, gave a statement on that collaboration at Tuesday’s Lawrence City Commission meeting. Johnson said the group appreciates that the commission has encouraged the city’s legal team to work with it to implement an ordinance, and that the initiative looks forward to seeing an ordinance appear on an agenda soon.

“It is no secret that the rights of trans Americans are in jeopardy right now,” Johnson said Tuesday. “Attacks on trans people have resulted in fear and despair for all of us … With this in mind, it is vital now more than ever to take a proactive stance against future legislative efforts that will further harm trans people.”

As the Journal-World has reported, Lawrence’s mayor, police chief and other local leaders have voiced opposition to SB 180, and Douglas County’s district attorney has said she would not prosecute anyone under the law, which has no enforcement provisions. Civil rights groups, however, have pressed for more concrete protections.