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Council holds first reading on LGBTQ+ protections; large public turnout for and against ordinance C36667
Summary
Ordinance C36667, which would expand city civil‑rights protections and affirm access to gender‑affirming care and other supports, received extensive public testimony at first reading; council deferred further action for later consideration.
Ordinance C36667, a proposed update to Spokane's human‑rights code addressing protections for LGBTQIA2S+ residents and city commitments around gender‑affirming care and event safety, received extensive public testimony but was deferred for further action after its first reading.
Public testimony: Several speakers urged passage, citing safety and healthcare access for transgender residents. “We’re scared. My kid deserves to live without fear of her medical treatment being withheld,” said JR, a parent who identified herself as the mother of a transgender child. Other supporters described local safety concerns tied to past extremist activity and urged the city to affirm protections at the municipal level.
Opposition and suggested amendments: Several speakers opposed the ordinance or called for caution. Gretchen McDevitt asked the council to recommend more mental‑health support and to acknowledge long‑term risks of irreversible medical interventions for minors. Karen Pooley argued the council should not contradict state‑level initiatives and asked for additional safeguards for women’s privacy and sports participation.
Council action: The ordinance was presented as a first reading; the council accepted public comment and deferred additional action. Several council members noted the sensitivity and intensity of testimony and said amendments and additional work sessions may follow.
What the ordinance would do: The first‑reading materials would amend city code to update nondiscrimination language, explicitly address protections for 2S/LGBTQIA+ people and include city commitments to event safety and nondiscrimination in health‑care access. The ordinance language and proposed implementation details were not finalized at first reading.
Next steps: The council deferred final action at first reading and signaled that amendments and further committee work are likely before any vote.
