San Francisco becomes one of the first major US cities to declare 'sanctuary' status for transgender people

San Francisco recognized Pride Month differently this year — by declaring itself a sanctuary for transgender and gender non-conforming people.

The city's Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday in favor of the sanctuary status, making San Francisco one of the first major cities in the nation to do so. The resolution symbolically indicates those identifying as transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and two-spirit are safe to seek transitioning health care and that providers are similarly safe, Los Angeles' FOX 11 reported.

"We have seen an influx of refugees, not just from other countries, but from other states who are seeking care and seeking sanctuary," said San Francisco's director of the Office of Transgender Initiatives, Honey Mahogany, said.