Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle & South Park) issued the following statement upon learning of the Trump administration’s plans to rescind incentives that protect transgender students in schools:
“It’s outrageous that the federal government won’t help protect students against discrimination based on their gender identity. We’re one country, and protection from discrimination can’t just stop at a state’s border. My heart aches for those students who don’t live in states that protect their children, as Washington State does.
“Here in Washington, I’m heartened the anti-transgender restroom bill, HB 1011, did not receive a hearing in our legislature and no new anti-transgender bills were introduced in the Republican-controlled Senate. While amendments to other bills are always possible, at this point it seems legislative action intended to target members of our transgender community is unlikely.
“I encourage Seattlites interested in furthering the cause of equity to attend the LGBTQ Allyship’s “Next Steps” forum at 6 p.m. tonight at Washington State Labor Council (321 16th Avenue S., Seattle, WA 98144). There, advocates will help guide the organization’s response to the various executive orders and conservative policies that are impacting LGBTQ immigrants and refugees, Muslims, parents, parents-to-be, women, seniors, people of color, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.”