The Washington State Senate today took a significant step to protect LGBTQ youth by passing legislation to ban so-called “conversion therapy” and require school districts to adopt or amend anti-harassment policies to include transgender students.
“It is long past time for Washington to make it clear to our LGBTQ youth that we value their safety and affirm that they too deserve protection as they navigate their young lives,” said Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, sponsor of Senate Bill 5766 and Senate Bill 5722. “I am thankful to my colleagues in the Senate for taking this stand today to put people first and make Washington more inclusive for all.”
One of the seven openly LGBTQ members of the Legislature, Liias and his colleagues have heard from countless families about the need to make our communities and schools safer for their children.
“In the last year, 29 percent of LGBTQ youth attempted suicide, leading to countless tragic deaths that might easily have been saved,” added Liias. “Banning the barbaric practice of ‘conversion therapy’ and taking active steps to reduce bullying, harassment and intimidation will literally save people’s lives.”
In addition to requiring school districts to adopt updated anti-bullying policies, SB 5766 will also create a district-level primary contact for the new measures and direct the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop mandatory anti-harassment training.
SB 5766 passed on a 30-18 vote. SB 5722 passed on a 32-16 vote. They both now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.
