Historic Declaration: Lake Worth Beach, Florida, Becomes First LGBTQ Sanctuary City in State

In a historic move, the city commissioners of Lake Worth Beach, Florida, have unanimously voted to declare the city as a sanctuary for LGBTQ individuals and their families. This landmark decision makes Lake Worth Beach the first municipality in the state of Florida to officially proclaim itself as an LGBTQ sanctuary city, aiming to provide a safe haven for the LGBTQ community amid growing concerns over anti-LGBTQ laws and policies in the state.

The resolution, which carries symbolic significance, was passed following a surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation across the United States, prompting the country’s largest gay rights organization to issue a “state of emergency” earlier this year in response to an alarming increase in anti-LGBTQ laws.

Lake Worth Beach’s resolution references data from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has tracked more than 490 bills targeting LGBTQ rights nationwide, many of which have been enacted into law. The resolution also cites research from the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth. Their research in 2022 revealed that 86% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported negative mental health effects due to anti-LGBTQ political debates and laws, with 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considering suicide in the past year.

The resolution states, “The City of Lake Worth Beach shall now and forever be considered a safe place, a sanctuary, a welcoming and supportive city for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to live in peace and comfort.”

Lake Worth Beach’s declaration is part of a broader response to Florida’s recent legislative landscape, which has been criticized by civil rights organizations and advocates as increasingly “hostile to the LGBTQ community.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed multiple bills this year targeting LGBTQ rights, including banning gender-affirming care for minors, imposing restrictions on school discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity, and expanding the “Don’t Say Gay” law to apply across all grade levels.

Civil rights groups such as the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida have issued travel advisories due to these developments, cautioning individuals about potential risks associated with living in or visiting Florida.

Lake Worth Beach joins a growing number of states and cities that have taken steps to protect LGBTQ rights amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ laws. In 2023, over 525 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced across the country, with at least 20 states passing bans on gender-affirming care. Last year, Austin, Texas, declared itself a sanctuary city for transgender families, and officials in Missouri resisted efforts to ban gender-affirming care by declaring Kansas City a sanctuary city for LGBTQ people.

Moreover, several states, including Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, and Minnesota, have passed bills supporting transgender health care access.

Lake Worth Beach’s historic move reinforces the city’s commitment to inclusivity and acceptance, aiming to provide a secure and welcoming environment for all, including the LGBTQ+ community.