The recent federal executive orders attacking the LGBTQ+ community are scary and incredibly distressing. But in Washington state, we have many protections in statute to safeguard all our neighbors. In recent years, we’ve:
- Strengthened protections against hate crimes
- Mandated LGBTQ+ history education in public schools
- Outlawed conversion therapy for minors
- Protected the right for transgender Washingtonians to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity
- Protected providers for performing abortion and gender-affirming care
- Ensured school officials don’t ban library books or course material solely because they lift up the stories of LGBTQ+ people or people of color
- Strengthened access to legal name change processes
- Increased access to HIV and AIDS prevention medications
- Protected private, personal health data
We will continue to work tirelessly to preserve every Washingtonian’s rights.
If you or anyone you know is being affected by any of the recent federal executive orders, you can contact the Washington State LGBTQ Commission (contact@lgbtq.wa.gov) and share your story, experiences and concerns. Your voice will help the commission inform the governor and Legislature on issues impacting our LGBTQ+ communities. The LGBTQ Commission maintains lists of resources for King County and Snohomish County.
You can find information on patient rights for gender-affirming care and information on how to file an appeal if you are denied care on the Office of Insurance Commissioner’s website.
