GSBA is appalled at the actions taken against the LGBTQ+ community at both the local and national level.  This week, the United States Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a provision blocking healthcare for the transgender children of military servicemembers. Locally, school boards and governments around Washington have taken steps to harm LGBTQ+ students and community members. These actions undermine the respect, dignity, and freedoms that our community fights to uphold. 

The passage of the anti-trans provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act is a preview to future strategies lawmakers will use to curtail LGBTQ+ rights. Senate Democrats put forth an amendment to deny health care to the children of servicemembers, but when that amendment was denied, 37 Democrat Senators voted in favor of the bill, including Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell. We must let lawmakers know that trans rights are not up for debate or legislative bargaining. Here is a list of all Democrats who voted in favor of passing the NDAA.  

Locally, school boards and local governments around Washington state have taken steps to harm LGBTQ+ students and community members. Emboldened by divisive rhetoric espoused at the federal level, groups have acted to bar young trans and gender-expansive athletes from participating in K-12 sports, banning books that contain LGBTQ+ identities, slashing funding for non-profits that support the LGBTQ+ community, and more. In addition to undermining our state’s values of equity and dignity for all, many of these actions are illegal. We are following the lead of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission to inform our community of the protections and options that are available to you. Here is a list of all Washington State school boards that have asked WIAA to change their 18-year-old rules allowing transgender students to participate in school sports. 

You have legal protections. Any action taken by a local government or school board to isolate, target, or discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community are in violation of state anti-discrimination law. Our state has supported trans’ athletes’ ability to engage in recreational activities for over 15 years – WAC 392-190-025 and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association encourage participation for all students regardless of gender identity and protects the rights of those students. In 2024, the Legislature passed HB 2331, which prevents school boards from banning books because they center marginalized voices or topics. School boards that restrict these freedoms are in violation of state law.  

What can you do? 

If you or someone you know experiences this discrimination, GSBA and our state’s LGBTQ Commission have your back.  

  • Contact the White House and call on President Biden to veto the NDAA and federal legislations that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community. You can do so through these numbers: 

    Comments: 202-456-1111 
    Switchboard: 202-456-1414 
    TTY/TTD (Comments): 202-456-6213 

  • Reach out to your state legislators and share your experiences. We encourage anyone that has been impacted to reach out to your state legislators and share your experiences. 

Report Local Discrimination 

  • If you are aware of any anti-LGBTQ+ actions taken by local schools or government, or experience any incidents of bias, reach out to the Washinton State LGBTQ+ Commission at [email protected]. You can also reach out to GSBA, and we will walk with you through the process.  

Report Bias in our Schools 

GSBA is here for you. If you’d like any guidance or support through this process, please reach out to us and we will support you in finding the best remediation for what you’ve experienced. We are working in coalition with LGBTQ+ groups and advocates across the state to craft policy that reaffirms the rights of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians and supports our students.  

In solidarity, 

Gabriel Neuman, JD,
GSBA Policy Counsel & Government Relations Manager