Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill Couldn't Get Through the Republican

[Ayla]

WA:  The right-wing backlash against basic human rights protections for transgender people is in full swing, but bill by bill, it's being defeated. This afternoon, SB 6443 narrowly went down in the GOP-controlled State Senate, thanks to relatively-moderate Republicans Senators Andy Hill, Steve Litzow, and Joe Fain, who defected to the side opposed to anti-trans bigotry. (Democratic Senator Jim Hargrove, voted for the bill. Asshole.)

The three-sentence bill would have repealed the Human Rights Commission's new rule explicitly protecting the right of transgender people to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identities—something transgender people are already doing anyway. The bill offers no explanation of why the rule needed to be repealed. But the arguments trotted out on the Senate floor were as familiar as they were specious—centering around the patently bogus notion that the rule would enable sex predators to nefarious things in bathrooms.  

There are five more of these bills working through the legislature, including a so-called "genital check" proposal. None of them are thought to have any chance of passing in the Democrat-controlled House. But that doesn't mean they're not already doing damage.
In the Senate, SB 6443 was defeated by a lone vote. Bottom line for Seattle progressives? Per Heidi: "Electing Seattle Democrats is not enough. In order to turn off the bigoted garbage fountain of Republican legislation and to make it easier to pass common-sense laws, Democrats must retake the state senate."

www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2016/02/10/23554000/this-anti-transgender-bathrom-bill-couldnt-get-through-the-republican-controlled-state-senate  

[Shan]

Here are the pros and cons that I copied off the State Bill 6443 PDF, the argument stems initially from anxiety created by non-op MtF people accessing women's gym locker room/shower facilities. As I said before, those people forcing their agenda on the CIS community are going to receive push back and create more alienation than by working incrementally for changes. 


Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill is simple. It repeals the rule. Parents have a right to expect that men use the men's restroom and women use the women's restrooms as well as the locker rooms. Washington would be the only state to have this rule. The rule-making process was flawed and should have had more input. The rule was adopted by the Commission which is not elected by the people. The rule itself is flawed. The health clubs and school districts should be able to have their own rules. The rule fails on process, substance, and impact on business, youth, and families. People need protection from sexual predators. Women have fought for their safety for a long time. Now there is no place to be free from concern. The WAC flung the door open to deviant men. No one can prove how they feel. This matter is too critically important to be decided by a small number of people in the dark. The WAC does not protect the disabled who are most vulnerable to assault and will have an impact on those without a voice. The goal should be to help those abused and traumatized. The WAC is in conflict with training provided to foster parents. The state is willing to harm the majority for a vocal minority. The government has betrayed people and made them feel powerless; taking away free speech. The bill gives back the right to feel safe. Businesses can no longer help their customers feel safe and deal with issues on their own. This makes some young people feel very uncomfortable in the use of locker rooms. This would provide feeding grounds for sexual predators. They choose places where people are most vulnerable to prey on them. Every daughter has the right to grow up without fear. There was no conversation about this WAC.
Senate Bill Report - 2 - SB 6443

CON: This is not a simple bill and creates lack of clarity in the law of discrimination related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Commission has had guidance on these issues for a number of years. There was a lot of notice statewide about the proposed WAC. Colorado, DC and 17 states have similar laws. There needs to be more education about transgender persons. Transgender persons can suffer from depression and anxiety. How can you explain to a transgender child that they cannot use the bathroom of the gender they identify with? If the bill passes, it will allow for harassment and discrimination of transgender persons. Transgender persons have been using these bathrooms for years and there has not been an increase in sexual assaults. The majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victims. Transgender people are part of every community. Transgender women are women and using men's bathrooms puts them at risk. The bill attacks transgender children and puts burdens back on businesses. That a child would be inspected is unconscionable. For the last 10 years, the law has protected transgender rights and the ability to use bathrooms of choice. This bill takes away protections and targets transgender persons. Since 2006, transgender persons have been able to use bathrooms based on their identity without incident. They need protection and safety.

[Deleted]

Feb 13, 2016 23:12:29 GMT 8 Shan said:

Women have fought for their safety for a long time. Now there is no place to be free from concern. The WAC flung the door open to deviant men.

Yes, they have.  But their enemy isn't transgender people.  It's cisgender men.  And the WAC hasn't "flung the door open to deviant men".  Deviant men are more than capable of flinging doors open themselves.  As are your more normal sort of men who just enjoy harassing women.

If the restroom is a safe space for women, it's about the only one in this world.  And that's not the fault of transgender people.