Regarding the article, “Greenfield City Council passes ‘sanctuary city’ resolution for trans, gender-diverse people,” [Recorder, April 18], I want Greenfield to be a safe city, where gender-nonconforming kids are free to grow up happy and healthy. The assumption behind “gender-affirming care” is that children who don’t adhere to gender norms need drugs and surgery. A safe city is a place where parents can get accurate information about kids and gender, instead of being told that their children will harm themselves if they don’t undergo irreversible life-altering procedures. They need a way to determine whether gender dysphoria is the cause of a child’s mental distress or a symptom.

Most kids who experience gender distress outgrow it in adolescence. Many become happy gay adults. They don’t need to be fixed with hormones or surgery. I also want Greenfield to be a safe city for women and girls. Prioritizing self-declared gender identity over biological sex means that any male at all can claim to be female to gain access to women’s locker rooms or compete against girls in school sports. Policies like these put girls and women in situations that are unfair or even dangerous, and their concerns need to be heard and taken seriously.

Shutting down conversation does not make a city safer. Supporters of this resolution spoke of having flags stolen from their property. Property damage is already a crime. I’d like to see consequences for such violations, along with freedom for all children to be themselves and thrive. And I’d like Greenfield to be a city where it’s safe to talk about these issues openly and respectfully.

Erica Avery

Greenfield