I-001 and I-638 are two initiatives that Washington state voters will be deciding on in the upcoming midterm elections. In the most generous of characterizations, these initiatives could be described as solutions looking for problems. However, a more accurate assessment would call these out as the legislative terrorism they are. Both are poorly written, rife with misinformation and created solely to harm young people. I’d like to go over them here and tell you why to vote NO.
I-001
This initiative would require Washington teachers, counselors and school nurses to turn sensitive information, which is shared privately by students, over to parents. Framed as a “parental rights” issue, this initiative removes common sense protections for students and potentially subjects them to danger. Counselors would be required to “out” LGBTQ+ students to abusive families and to share confidential records with parents even if they are under investigation for child abuse or convicted of a violent crime.
Currently, Washington State law allows for students 13 years of age and up to seek counseling for mental health and substance abuse without parental consent and for these records to remain confidential. For many young people, a school counselor or trusted teacher is a lifeline for crucial support. These relationships should remain sacrosanct. In a time when depression and anxiety among young people are at an all-time high, the last thing we need in Washington state or anywhere are laws that violate their privacy and take away their safety. VOTE NO ON I-001.
1-638
This initiative would require all girls who want to participate in sports in Washington state to undergo invasive physical exams to certify their “biological” gender. Although the number of trans athletes in girls’ sports is miniscule–less than 1%–thousands of girls across the state would be subjected to the indignity of these genital inspections. The embarrassment and vulnerability around such a procedure would no doubt discourage some girls from playing sports all together. These unnecessary exams could also potentially cause harm.
Cost is another matter. It is unclear as to whether medical insurance will cover these physical inspections. Parents would not be able to bypass this mandate by showing birth certificates. They could opt for a DNA swab, which is less invasive than a genital exam but prohibitively expensive. The cost factor alone would more than likely eliminate even more girls from participation, especially girls of color and/or from lower economic situations. I believe these barriers are antithetical to our values in Washington state.
One very important note: These exams would only be required for girls. Boys who want to play sports would not be impacted by this initiative. Who does this protect?
Finally, there are no conclusive studies that show trans athletes to have any material gain in sporting activities. All kids, including trans girls, should have the right to play sports, be part of a team, have fun and reap the benefits of these experiences. Creating laws aimed at excluding them is cruel, abusive and wrong. And this initiative would not protect anyone. VOTE NO ON I-638.
Brian Heywood, a multi-millionaire, has pumped money into a multitude of radical right initiatives and Let’s Go Washington, the PAC that launched I-001 and I-638, is his brainchild. This group is also pushing I-645, which would repeal the Washington state millionaire’s tax. (Vote NO on that one too.) Heywood is basically a rich disgruntled white guy. Go figure.
I-001 and 1-638 are dangerous tools meant for distraction and othering. It’s an old strategy. The point is to vilify a marginalized group–immigrants, black people, trans kids–and to craft and perpetuate ugly narratives that blame this group for the devolution of modern life. If there is a fabricated monster for voters to focus on, then they’re distracted from the very real issues of ICE terrorizing our neighborhoods, unnecessary wars, a crashing economy and a crime syndicate in the White House. The proponents of these initiatives don’t want us thinking about any of that. And we respond by voting NO.
Washington state residents can register to vote here.
