Seattle mayor says Trump administration attacked transgender rights

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has just lifted federal guidelines that allowed transgender students to use public school bathrooms and locker rooms that match their chosen gender identity.

The move now leaves states and school districts to decide whether federal sex discrimination law applies to gender identity.

“I’ve heard a lot of concern from parents,” Danni Askini of the Gender Justice League said.

While the order wouldn’t directly affect public schools in Washington state, because the state’s Human Rights Commission guarantees transgender bathroom protections, it sets the stage for a contentious battle over a bathroom initiative where voters could be asked to decide.

“We are combating an effort here in Washington state,” Askini explained. “With actions by the Trump administration, it is more important than ever.”

Last year, Initiative 1515, which sought to reverse the Washington State Human Rights Commission's ruling that protects transgender people in bathrooms, failed to gather enough signatures to make it on the November ballot.

>> Related: Read about the national reaction here

But Joseph Backholm, behind the campaign also known as "Just Want Privacy,"
is back with Initiative 1552.

He believes the Trump administration’s latest move will help his cause.

“I think it takes away the strongest argument that the other side had, which is your local school district will lose funding,” Backholm said.

Backholm, president of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, wasted no time in filing his new initiative.

“So there's a full two more months to gather signatures,” Backholm added. “And with an extra two months, I’m pretty optimistic that we'll get the signatures necessary.”

Askini believes supporters of transgender bathroom rights will prevail again.

“Washington is setting the tone for the country about what fairness can look like and opportunity for everybody and what freedom looks like,” Askini said.

>> Related: Local campaign wants repeal of open-bathroom rule for transgender people

Seattle Public Schools released this statement: "SPS has long recognized the importance of creating a safe space for all of our students, and as such, Our student non-discrimination procedure (3210.SP) has been in place since 2012, and aligns with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction's recommendations for anti-discrimination model policies.

>> Related: Seattle Children's set to open gender services clinic

"We will continue to use this procedure as our guiding document.”

Backers of Initiative 1552 have until July 7 to gather 330,000 signatures.

Cox Media Group