Cincinnati adopts motion to finance transgender youth mental health services [Video]

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati City Council on Wednesday voted to adopt a motion that would allocate $500,000 toward funding mental health services for transgender kids in the community.

Council members unanimously adopted the motion, which Councilman Mark Jeffreys introduced.

“The political dialogue has been such that this population has been demonized and as a result, a lot of kids are committing suicide,” Jeffreys said.

Jeffreys says the money will come from the city’s health department. He says it will total 0.01% of the city’s budget.

“It’s a very small amount that could have a pretty significant impact on the lives of these young people,” Jeffreys said.

Jeffreys feels it’s a rising concern, in part, he says, because of anti-transgender laws and political ads.

Jeffreys cited a new study by the Trevor Projectthat showed a 72% increase in attempted suicides by transgender youth in the past year.

“These are young kids and they’re going through a lot and we don’t …