Baltimore City Council addresses transgender community well-being

The Baltimore City Council has decided to hold a hearing about the well-being of the city’s transgender community. This decision was made during a bimonthly meeting on Monday, where the resolution passed unanimously. The hearing will invite representatives from the mayor’s office, the State’s Attorney, and various city agencies. They will provide updates on the services available to the transgender community and discuss their general well-being. Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, who co-sponsored the resolution, emphasized the importance of this effort. She believes it is essential for transgender individuals to feel recognized and heard in the city. Council President Zeke Cohen spoke about the political context of the resolution. He criticized the previous Trump administration for its attempts to diminish the visibility of transgender people in society. Cohen stated that in Baltimore, everyone is welcome, particularly those who have faced marginalization. In other council business, a bill by Councilman Mark Conway to study chronic absenteeism in Baltimore City Public Schools has been approved. This will be the first study of its kind since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilman James Torrence highlighted concerns about the city's expenditure on home visits with little to show in results, expressing hope that the study will encourage better efforts from the involved vendors.