Washington voters were approving a ballot initiative Tuesday night to bar roughly 10 transgender athletes from participating in girls sports.
As of Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., Initiative 638, also known as the “Defending Equity in Interscholastic Sports Act,” had earned 1,152,229 “yes” votes, or 58%. If the results hold and the measure passes, it would ban trans girls from playing girls sports in public schools. To play in girls sports, students would have to provide a statement, signed by a health care provider, proving their biological sex. This verification would be based on the child’s reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup or testosterone levels.
According to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, there are only about 10 openly transgender student athletes competing in the state.
Meanwhile, about 52.75% of voters, or 1,018,262 people, on Tuesday night were rejecting Initiative 001, which would give parents and guardians of students in public schools access to certain mental health records — including their sexual orientation and gender identity — without the student’s consent.
Both initiatives were sponsored by conservative group Let’s Go Washington and were met with opposition from pediatricians, school counselors, nurses, LGBTQ+ organizations and sexual assault prevention groups for subjecting youths to invasive sex verification exams and putting those with potentially abusive families at risk of violence and homelessness. Supporters, on the other hand, argued they would ensure children are safe and parents stay informed.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
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