Transgender-rights demonstrators marched through downtown Seattle on Thursday, two days after Washington voters approved a ballot measure that bars biological males from competing in girls’ K-12 interscholastic sports.
The march began at Westlake Park and continued toward Pike Place Market, according to KUOW. Demonstrators chanted “638 is trans hate,” a reference to Initiative 638, the measure approved by voters this week. Some marchers also criticized Democratic leaders in the state for not doing more to oppose the initiative before the election.
Initiative 638 requires students who want to compete in girls’ sports to provide medical verification of their biological sex. The Associated Press called the measure’s passage Wednesday evening while ballots were still being counted, and FOX 13 Seattle reported Thursday that the measure had 56.8% support.
“I was kind of expecting it, but it was still devastating nonetheless,” Evan Gortner of Gender Equity Movement, which organized the protest, told KUOW.
The measure was one of several ballot initiatives this cycle backed by the conservative group Let’s Go Washington. Voters rejected two other initiatives the group supported, one addressing parental rights and another seeking to repeal the state’s tax on high earners.
Legal challenges possible
The fight over the initiative is now shifting toward the courts. Danni Askini, executive director of Gender Justice League, told KUOW her organization was consulting with partners and evaluating a possible legal challenge on student-privacy grounds. As of KUOW’s Nov. 5 report, no lawsuit had been formally announced.
The ACLU of Washington also criticized the outcome but told KUOW it does not discuss potential litigation, and it has not announced a lawsuit either.
The Washington State Democratic Party has said it will not bring its own legal challenge but supports other groups that might. “WA Dems will not be challenging the initiative in court. We believe there will be organizations who do and we support those efforts,” the party told OutKick. Party Chair Shasti Conrad called the initiative unconstitutional in a Nov. 5 statement.
What the measure requires
Under the initiative’s text, students must undergo a health examination and sign a consent form — or have their personal healthcare provider sign a separate statement — verifying their biological sex as part of the standard sports physical. That verification is to be based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup or naturally produced testosterone levels. The measure does not specify a particular test or examination method.
Washington has permitted students to compete on teams matching their gender identity since 2007. Supporters of the new measure argue that separating sports by biological sex protects fairness, safety and athletic opportunities for female students. Opponents say the restrictions discriminate against transgender students and could expose girls to invasive medical scrutiny.
The debate over mixed-sex competition surfaced before the election as well. On Oct. 13, about a dozen girls on the Camas High School team declined to race against a transgender teammate, OutKick previously reported.
Schools prepare to implement changes
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, which governs high school sports in the state, told KUOW it is preparing changes to take effect Dec. 3 and is reviewing how to implement the new requirements, including the physical-examination provisions. The association said updated guidance and forms will be sent to schools once legal review is complete.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login