Madison Reporter

Scarlett Johnson, a Wisconsin-based grassroots political activist, is calling attention to an effort by some to establish Dane County as a sanctuary city for trans and non-binary children.

"Madison, WI: Woke activists plan to make Dane County, WI a 'sanctuary city' for 'trans and non-binary' kids," Johnson wrote on a Twitter post. "They declare that kids cannot be prevented from: Being exposed to pornographic materials; Participating in sexualized drag queen shows..."

Screenshots posted by Johnson to Twitter on June 12 show that a group has filed a resolution in Dane County to have it declared as a sanctuary for trans and non-binary individuals. The resolution, 2023 RES-074, was filed June 1, 2023, and includes a list of 21 sponsors.               

In the resolution, the group claims that, "In the last few years, states have advanced a record number of bills that attack LGBTQ rights, especially transgender youth. So far in this year's legislative session[s], state lawmakers across the country have introduced more than 430 bills that restrict fundamentals like health care, education and the freedom of expression for LGBTQ+ people, according to analysis from the American Civil Liberties Union."               

In response to the proposed legislation around the U.S. and in Wisconsin, the group asks that if the "state of Wisconsin passes a law that imposes criminal or civil punishments, fines, or professional sanctions on any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives or helps someone to receive gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers, hormones or surgery, the Dane County Board of Supervisors urges the Sheriff to make enforcement their lowest priority."                  

As of June 16, the resolution was listed as "In Committee" on the Dane County Legislative Information Center website.                  

Johnson lists herself as a grassroots activist and political scientist on her Twitter profile. She is also a member of Moms for Liberty-Wisconsin, and a former candidate for the Mequon-Thiensville School District board.