Drafter
Clerk 09/10/2026
Title
A MOTION supporting King County's LGBTQIA2+ community and opposing Washington state ballot initiative IL26-638.
Body
WHEREAS, Initiative IL26-638 will be considered by voters in the state of Washington during the November 2026 general election, and
WHEREAS, IL26-638 would force girls to obtain health-care provider verification of their biological sex, including through invasive genital exams and testing, to play school sports at any age or level, and
WHEREAS, while only a few trans girls play sports in Washington, IL26-638 would place a statewide blanket ban on all transgender girls in sports, banning case-by-case decisions, and
WHEREAS, multiple studies have found that participation in sports among LGBTQIA2+ youth is linked with higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of depression, and greater school belonging, and King County Council affirms that every trans girl deserves the opportunity to access these benefits by participating in school sports alongside her peers, and
WHEREAS, RCW 29B.45.010 authorizes the King County council to take action to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot measure so long as (a) any required notice of the meeting includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members of the legislative body, members of the board, council, or commission of the special purpose district, or members of the public are afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view, and
WHEREAS, consistent with RCW 29B.45.010, the King County council considered Initiative IL26-638 at its September 22, 2026, regular meeting, and provided members of the public and council an approximately equal opportunity to express support or opposition to Initiative IL26-638.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The council reaffirms its commitment to our LGBTQIA2+ re...
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