Glad to see the initiative being challenged already, No Hate in Washington State and the Gender Justice League of Washington fought the measure like hell but fought an uphill battle due to the vague description of the initiative. The way it was described by the news media as well as pundits (and even in this years official voters guide) was very misleading
LET'S DO THIS!!! Also, the Seattle School Board unanimously adopted Resolution 2711, yesterday, authorizing the district to hire legal counsel and pursue legal action against Initiative 638 (I-638)!
I hope this is just the beginning of the lawsuits and legislative efforts that will unfold following the midterm elections, sending a clear message that using the transgender community as a political punching bag will no longer go unchallenged.
Washington appears to be among the first states where legal action is taking shape, with lawsuits brought by transgender and cisgender individuals, along with parents, seeking to stop I-638 from going into effect. It also appears that the school board will be joining this effort.
This is exactly the kind of organized response we need to see in other states. Those who have pushed discriminatory legislation against the transgender community must understand that there will be legal challenges, public opposition, and continued efforts to overturn these laws. We cannot simply wait for these measures to disappear on their own. The fight for equality, dignity, and equal protection under the law must continue in every state where these rights are threatened.
Thank you for this story Erin. It's a horrific law that I hope won't be emulated elsewhere.
I'd like to add that one thing being consistently missed in mainstream media on this topic is the spending. Ballotpedia has nearly $10 million into yes and just over $2 million into no. Knowing this fact, makes it easier to prove that people DON'T REALLY WANT THIS. It's being jammed down their throats without them even knowing what the initiative means. It's a larger problem of money in politics but an important one that has dire consequences for trans girls here and trans people coast to coast.
I'm happy to see the legal action, which is an area I have no expertise in ("of course" I support the ACLU, one of the most effective organizations in that realm, with whatever I can spare). I will continue to write about the science of physiology and sport that is so poorly known by much of the public.
Articles like this, offering historical data about how long trans students have been engaged in school-organized sports yet not once "dominating" them, are valuable in this endeavor.
Go go ally sportsters! Do the Sportsing with with ALL of us treated like humans! By us I mean the colloquial us, as I don't live in WA and I sure ain't of Sportsing age anymore. I cemented my sad back and knees climbing mountains and rock walls and hiking 3000+ miles.
Excellent that the ruling will be shielded from the meddling of the US Supreme Court. Here's hoping that Washington's judicial system fights on the side of humanity and not bigotry!
Even if the Washington Supreme Court stops this anti-trans on the basis of Washington state constitution, this may not be over. They could take this to federal court and sue on the basis of their faulty interpretation of Title IX. Here is where precedent comes in. It usually works like this. Federal law trumps state law. State constitution trumps federal law. This is especially the case where protections in state constitution go beyond federal law. Just seen not that long ago this play out in Montana and Ohio. Obviously as the article mentions the Supreme Court lets states interpret their own constitutions. Then obviously U.S. Constitution trumps the other 3. Since Title IX is a federal law it can’t trump a state’s constitution. Maybe all they can do is the federal government try to withhold federal funding to Washington over their interpretation of Title IX but they still can’t override the Washington state constitution.
MAGA has no respect for the laws and constitution so they won’t stop. Because it was put to voters as a ballot initiative and not as an amendment to the state constitution, then it can’t override the Washington state constitution. They may not make that mistake next time and put it to voters as a constitutional amendment. In conclusion, the battle is not over.
I love it when a plan comes together.
💯❤️
I love how we are all coming together to organize, to advocate, to move our community forward. These are auspicious times for us!
Glad to see the initiative being challenged already, No Hate in Washington State and the Gender Justice League of Washington fought the measure like hell but fought an uphill battle due to the vague description of the initiative. The way it was described by the news media as well as pundits (and even in this years official voters guide) was very misleading
LET'S DO THIS!!! Also, the Seattle School Board unanimously adopted Resolution 2711, yesterday, authorizing the district to hire legal counsel and pursue legal action against Initiative 638 (I-638)!
I hope this is just the beginning of the lawsuits and legislative efforts that will unfold following the midterm elections, sending a clear message that using the transgender community as a political punching bag will no longer go unchallenged.
Washington appears to be among the first states where legal action is taking shape, with lawsuits brought by transgender and cisgender individuals, along with parents, seeking to stop I-638 from going into effect. It also appears that the school board will be joining this effort.
This is exactly the kind of organized response we need to see in other states. Those who have pushed discriminatory legislation against the transgender community must understand that there will be legal challenges, public opposition, and continued efforts to overturn these laws. We cannot simply wait for these measures to disappear on their own. The fight for equality, dignity, and equal protection under the law must continue in every state where these rights are threatened.
Heartsick & furious in Seattle. Thanks so much for the links; for now all I can do is throw money at the fighters
Me too in Spokane. Heartbreaking. 💔
Thank you for this story Erin. It's a horrific law that I hope won't be emulated elsewhere.
I'd like to add that one thing being consistently missed in mainstream media on this topic is the spending. Ballotpedia has nearly $10 million into yes and just over $2 million into no. Knowing this fact, makes it easier to prove that people DON'T REALLY WANT THIS. It's being jammed down their throats without them even knowing what the initiative means. It's a larger problem of money in politics but an important one that has dire consequences for trans girls here and trans people coast to coast.
Take 'em to the fucking cleaners. Too bad the evil bastards who funded these ballot measures probably can't be named as co-defendants...
I'm happy to see the legal action, which is an area I have no expertise in ("of course" I support the ACLU, one of the most effective organizations in that realm, with whatever I can spare). I will continue to write about the science of physiology and sport that is so poorly known by much of the public.
Articles like this, offering historical data about how long trans students have been engaged in school-organized sports yet not once "dominating" them, are valuable in this endeavor.
I hope the state of Colorado will pursue the same course of action. We do not ever need to be known as the Hate State again as we were in the past.
Thank y ou, for writing on this Erin. It's too important for our kids here in Washington. There is no room for hate in ANY State!
Go go ally sportsters! Do the Sportsing with with ALL of us treated like humans! By us I mean the colloquial us, as I don't live in WA and I sure ain't of Sportsing age anymore. I cemented my sad back and knees climbing mountains and rock walls and hiking 3000+ miles.
I hope there will be lawsuits in every state.
Excellent that the ruling will be shielded from the meddling of the US Supreme Court. Here's hoping that Washington's judicial system fights on the side of humanity and not bigotry!
Even if the Washington Supreme Court stops this anti-trans on the basis of Washington state constitution, this may not be over. They could take this to federal court and sue on the basis of their faulty interpretation of Title IX. Here is where precedent comes in. It usually works like this. Federal law trumps state law. State constitution trumps federal law. This is especially the case where protections in state constitution go beyond federal law. Just seen not that long ago this play out in Montana and Ohio. Obviously as the article mentions the Supreme Court lets states interpret their own constitutions. Then obviously U.S. Constitution trumps the other 3. Since Title IX is a federal law it can’t trump a state’s constitution. Maybe all they can do is the federal government try to withhold federal funding to Washington over their interpretation of Title IX but they still can’t override the Washington state constitution.
MAGA has no respect for the laws and constitution so they won’t stop. Because it was put to voters as a ballot initiative and not as an amendment to the state constitution, then it can’t override the Washington state constitution. They may not make that mistake next time and put it to voters as a constitutional amendment. In conclusion, the battle is not over.
Feeling very confident that the challenge will succeed!