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Legislative leaders pledge to defend transgender residents as restrictive bills are filed
Summary
At a press availability, leaders said Washington will work to preserve existing protections for transgender people after multiple bills targeting transgender youth were filed; they noted the filings create fear among families even when leaders expect many bills will not advance.
Reporters asked why legislative leaders issued a news release defending transgender residents. Unidentified Speaker 6 asked whether threats were coming from state or federal action and whether leaders planned specific legislative measures. Unidentified Speaker 2 responded that bills targeting transgender people and trans youth have been filed in the House and that mere filing causes fear among families.
"The mere filing the number of calls that I get just by the mere filing of a bill like that, like Rep Jacobson has filed a couple of those, the number of calls that I get is extraordinary and people are petrified for their kids and for themselves," Unidentified Speaker 2 said, adding leaders believe many of those bills will not move forward but that the filings nevertheless alarm constituents.
Unidentified Speaker 2 said Washington has strong state protections prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and said the legislature and governor's allies will "work very hard" to maintain those protections. When asked whether the state would mount legal challenges to federal executive orders, Unidentified Speaker 2 said the attorney general's office is the entity that pursues such litigation and advised reporters to consult that office.
Leaders described the news release as a "rallying cry" intended to reassure LGBTQ+ residents and families given national developments; they did not announce specific new legislation at the press availability.
What happens next: leaders said they will monitor filed bills, defend existing state protections, and coordinate with the attorney general's office on legal questions.
