PHILADELPHIA – Today, Mayor Kenney signed Executive Order No. 4-23 for the protection of individuals seeking, receiving, and providing gender-affirming health care. EO 4-23 forbids local government from providing information or assistance to any investigation that seeks to penalize anyone, whether a resident or a visitor, who seeks such care in Philadelphia, except as required by state or federal law.

More than 60,000 Philadelphians identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer. The city of Philadelphia has a long history of LGBTQIA+ activism, and it is now one of the most accepting cities in the United States for LGBTQIA+ people.

Recently there has been an explosion of anti-transgender laws across the country that aim to deny transgender and gender diverse individuals the right to live as their authentic selves and to receive necessary and often life-saving gender-affirming health care. Nearly 1.2 million LGBTQIA+ Americans have moved from their city or state in response to the record-breaking number of bills that have been passed, including 128,000 trans people.

The City of Philadelphia has a longstanding commitment to protecting all people’s right to privacy and bodily autonomy, and Executive Order No. 4-23 will ensure transgender and gender diverse people are protected and cared for with equal rights.

“Since the start of this administration, we have focused on advocating for LGBTQIA+ issues in all areas of City government,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This Executive Order, which protects individuals seeking, receiving and providing gender-affirming health care, will safeguard the dignity and equal rights of transgender and gender diverse people, whether they call Philadelphia home or seek care in our welcoming city.”

“Our mission and duty at the Office of LGBT Affairs is to advocate for our LGBTQIA+ community through support, education and resources,” said Celena Morrison-McLean, Executive Director, Office of LGBT Affairs. “This is a huge day for Philadelphia, as the city publicly declares with this Executive Order that it will not use city resources for out-of-state investigations related to receiving or providing gender-affirming care.”

This Executive Order not only helps to ensure the safety of LGBTQIA+ adults, children, and their families; it also publicly reaffirms Philadelphia’s ongoing effort to advance equality and support our diverse communities.