June 30, 2023 At a time of increased nationwide violence and hatred directed towards the LGBTQ+ community, the United States Supreme Court has sided today with forces of division and taken a step back in the march toward a more perfect union. This decision marks the first time in our nation’s history that the Court has allowed businesses open to the public to effectively discriminate against a protected class. To refuse service to customers based on who they love is not only outdated, but also hateful and in conflict with the beliefs of the vast majority of the country. The ...
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Bill to safeguard youth seeking protected health services clears Senate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 1, 2023 Press Inquiries | 360.786.7853, courtney.james@leg.wa.gov OLYMPIA – Legislation to support youth seeking protected health care services in Washington passed the Senate on a 27 – 19 vote today. Senate Bill 5599, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), removes barriers to shelter for at-risk and vulnerable youth. Under current law, if a child who has run away from home goes to a licensed shelter, that ...
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OLYMPIA – Legislation to implement inclusive learning standards in Washington schools passed the Senate today on a vote of 29-19. Senate Bill 5462, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), would update learning standards to include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of LGBTQ people, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion standards.
“Every student deserves to feel represented by the material they’re learning, and when they hear their stories in the school curriculum, students are more likely to be successful and engaged in the classroom,” said Liias.Inclusive curricula ...Read More
We, the Washington State Legislature's LGBTQ Caucus, stand with the Trans youth in Texas and condemn Texas Gov. Abbott's horrific directive to investigate gender-affirming care for trans youth. Trans, gender-diverse, and gender non-binary folks are nearly 12 times more likely to attempt suicide. This rate increases when they can’t access gender-affirming care. Gender-affirming care is suicide prevention-- it saves lives.
These new Texan rules will do nothing but harm Trans and gender diverse youth for no other reason than being themselves. A state government should help and ...
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$50,000 is allocated for constituents to help shape boards and commissions with their lived experiences.
Drayton Jackson was homeless for two decades, living in shelters in New York City and, later, Washington state. Over the years, he compiled notes on what it’s like to experience homelessness and how policymakers could help, and now he uses that knowledge and experience to lead an anti-poverty work group and create the Foundation for Homeless and Poverty Management.
Jackson and his colleagues receive a stipend for serving on the Poverty Reduction Work Group, although the majority of state advisory positions come with no ...Read More
OLYMPIA – Those suffering mental health issues and juveniles could be restrained by law enforcement responding to crises.
That is the thrust of House Bill 1735, which passed the state House with a 90-5 vote and is now under consideration in the Senate.
The bill is intended to end confusion stemming from last year’s House Bill 1310, which prevented responders from receiving police assistance in detaining or transporting people.“We’re talking about hands-on… whether law enforcement can physically interact with people, not to hurt them but to help them,” Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, said.
“We’re talking about people in a mental ...Read More
OLYMPIA – A bill that would require health insurers to cover medically necessary gender affirming treatment in their health plans was approved by the House on Wednesday. SB 5313, also known as the Gender Affirming Treatment Act and is sponsored by State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Everett), would prohibit health insurers from denying or limiting coverage for gender affirming treatment that is consistent with a protected gender expression or identity, is medically necessary, and is prescribed in accordance with accepted standards of care. Many health plans in Washington state classify gender confirmation treatment as cosmetic and therefore such treatment is ...
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SB 5313, also known as the Gender Affirming Treatment Act and is sponsored by State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood), would prohibit health insurers from denying or limiting coverage for gender affirming treatment that is consistent with a protected gender expression or identity, is medically necessary, and is prescribed in accordance with accepted standards of care.
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