From Seattletimes · · 2m
WA voters pass ban on trans girls in school sports
Washington voters approve ban restricting transgender girls from girls' school sports.
In brief
Washington voters approve ban restricting transgender girls from girls' school sports. Washington voters passed Initiative 638 banning transgender girls from competing in girls' school sports, sparking protests and legal challenges. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Washington voters pass trans sports ban
Washington voters approved Initiative 638 banning transgender girls from competing in girls K-12 school sports.
Initiative 638 requires medical documentation
The law requires students to submit medical documentation verifying their biological sex through reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or testosterone levels.
Proponents claim fairness for cisgender girls
Proponents argue transgender girls participation in girls athletics is unfair to cisgender girls and does not require new medical exams.
Health providers call language imprecise
Health providers say the initiative’s language is imprecise and vague, and the verification described is not part of typical sports physicals.
Rally in downtown seattle
Community members gathered at westlake park in downtown seattle to protest the initiative, carrying transgender pride flags and chanting.
Evan Gortner's perspective
Evan Gortner, a former student who helped develop state guidelines for trans athletes, called the ban a 180 from what he helped build.
Let's go washington backed initiative
Let's go washington, a conservative political committee, backed initiative 638 and spent $4 million to support it.
Opponents concede loss
Opponents of initiative 638 conceded the gap in votes was too great to overcome, with tens of thousands of ballots uncounted.
Rally attendees voice concerns
Rally attendees said democratic leaders did not do enough to ensure initiative 638’s defeat and urged newly elected leaders to stand up for trans people.
Governor's focus on tax issue
Governor Bob Ferguson acknowledged opposing initiative 638 but campaigned more aggressively against the repeal of the millionaires tax.
Other states approve similar bans
Voters in arizona, colorado, and nebraska also approved bans on trans girls in girls sports in the same election.
Washington's most restrictive ban
Washington’s measure required girls to prove biological sex through physical examinations or hormone testing, making it the most restrictive ban.
Rally organizer's concerns
Ivanna Jovanović, an organizer with the puget sound division of the american party of labor, cited rising costs and transphobic policies as concerns.
Legal challenges expected
Civil rights groups warn initiative 638 could run afoul of the state constitution’s equal rights amendment and the washington law against discrimination.
In short
Washington voters passed Initiative 638 banning transgender girls from competing in girls' school sports, sparking protests and legal challenges.
