FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, 415-554-6131

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MAYOR LONDON BREED ISSUES EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE OF ALL GENDER IDENTITIES

In wake of Trump Administration’s attack on transgender and non-binary people, Mayor Breed issues directive to expand gender and self-identifiers on City forms and applications, and provide gender identity training for City employees

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today announced an Executive Directive to expand gender and self-identifiers on all City forms and applications when asking for demographic information and to provide gender identity training for City employees. The Directive comes in the wake of plans by the Trump Administration to roll back recognition of transgender people under federal civil rights laws. In addition to this Directive, Mayor Breed will work to introduce legislation to ensure that this recognition is protected permanently. 

“President Trump’s attempts to erase the identities of trans and non-binary people and strip them of access to critical services and fair treatment under the law is unconscionable,” said Mayor Breed. “Here in San Francisco, we stand in strong support of our transgender and gender non-conforming residents. This Executive Directive is about celebrating the diversity of our communities and building a more inclusive City for all."

Based on California’s data on transgender populations, an estimated 6,120 San Franciscans identify as a gender that is different from the one assigned at birth. While there is currently no San Francisco data on transgender communities, this is likely an underestimate given San Francisco’s crucial role in trans and LGBTQI history and culture worldwide. Trans and nonconforming communities are often forced to make choices on City and County of San Francisco forms and applications that do not accurately reflect their gender identity or gender expression. The Directive will provide the City with inclusive administrative forms and applications that lift up all identities, allowing people to more broadly choose how they self-identify when demographic information is collected.

“We are grateful for the Mayor’s support and partnership on this directive to assure that all residents are counted and seen as their full authentic self. As our communities are under constant attack by the Federal Administration, in San Francisco we will make sure that no one in our city will be erased,” said Clair Farley, Director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives. “It is in San Francisco’s best interest that transgender and gender non-binary community contributions are recognized and that everyone has the opportunity to live full and healthy lives. We hope that this directive will inspire cities and states across the country to take a stand against these hateful attacks on our communities.”

Since 2017, the City has practiced using expanded definitions of sexual and gender identity across six City departments that provide direct services to the community: Department of Public Health; Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development; Department of Human Services; the Department of Aging and Adult Services; the Department of Children, Youth and their Families; and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. The Sheriff’s Department has also taken important steps to allow individuals to self-identify, and has instituted Gender Awareness training as an integral part of its practices.

This Directive will extend this practice to all departments that collect demographic information during the course of licensing, permitting, or other administrative, business or service functions, thereby officially recognizing the breadth of the identity spectrum within our City.

Any forms already in print that do not conform with the requirements of this Directive will be allowed to be exhausted, but any new printing shall comply with the new gender-inclusive requirements.

“It is such a relief that in this corner of the world we are safe and will continue to be protected. My fear is for my community that doesn’t have as much access as we do in San Francisco,” said Evie Taborsmith, a local community member and SF LGBT Center volunteer. “This step by the City is a win for us all because it gives us hope for the future."

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