Story perspectives

Denver council proposes transgender data-sharing restrictions ordinance

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 6:20 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Denver council proposes ordinance restricting city agencies from collecting and sharing transgender data.
Councilmember Stacie Gilmore introduced the ordinance to the Budget and Policy Committee.
Co-sponsor Councilmember Shontel Lewis says it will take effect Jan. 1.
The ordinance limits collection of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression unless required.
Over a dozen groups, including Bread and Roses Legal Center, back the bill, citing Jax Gratton’s death.

History

Historical Context

In 1996, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors enacted the pioneering Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Ordinance, mandating city agencies to protect transgender privacy. The measure, championed by Supervisor Harry Britt and backed by the Transgender Law Center, passed 8-3 and allocated $1.2 million for enforcement. Like today’s Denver proposal by Councilmembers Stacie Gilmore and Shontel Lewis, the 1996 ordinance limited collection of sex, gender identity, and orientation data unless required. That early precedent spurred nationwide municipal privacy reforms, prompting cities such as Austin and Portland to adopt similar data-restriction policies in the 2020s.

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Story summary

Denver council proposes ordinance restricting city agencies from collecting and sharing transgender data.
Councilmember Stacie Gilmore introduced the ordinance to the Budget and Policy Committee.
Co-sponsor Councilmember Shontel Lewis says it will take effect Jan. 1.
The ordinance limits collection of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression unless required.
Over a dozen groups, including Bread and Roses Legal Center, back the bill, citing Jax Gratton’s death.

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