Keep Discrimination Out of Washington State: Hell NO To I-1515

Idiots are trying to bring anti-lgbtq hate to Washington State. The bigots have gathered to whip up ballot initiative I-1515 and are trying to get enough signatures to get it on Washington State ballots for this year’s election. I-1515 would roll back hard won rights for LGBTQ people in our state and specifically targets transgender people.

The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) and Gay City have released statements today urging all Washingtonians to fight back against this discrimation.
Here’s what Louise Chernin of the GSBA has to say about fighting I-1515:

Discrimination is not a Washington value.

For more than 10 years our laws have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. But now, signature gatherers are gathering voter signatures on I-1515, a ballot initiative to repeal Washington’s legal protections for our transgender neighbors, family and friends.

Under no circumstances can we let a discriminatory, anti-LGBT initiative like I-1515 undermine the values that make Washington such a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

That’s why, today, GSBA is proud to help launch Washington Won’t Discriminate-the broad-based coalition of law enforcement officers, clergy, sexual assault prevention groups, businesses and many others in opposing I-1515 and protecting freedom, equality, and respect for everyone.

If you agree that discrimination has no place in Washington, add your name now to stand with the the No On I-1515 campaign.

Opponents of LGBT rights are spinning the same tired lies that have been peddled elsewhere-from North Carolina to Mississippi-that non-discrimination laws threaten privacy and safety,

But the truth is I-1515 will do nothing to make us safer. We’ve protected gay and transgender people from discrimination in Washington for 10 years, with no increase in public safety incidents as a result.

Unfortunately, I-1515 could make things worse for everyone by encouraging strangers to confront and challenge each other in public facilities, increasing safety and privacy violations.

While their claims may be baseless, if opponents of transgender rights can wrangle 246,372 valid petition signatures by July 8th, then the discriminatory I-1515 will be sent to the November ballot for a public vote.

That’s why we’ve got to mobilize a groundswell of grassroots supporters-and fast-to keep discrimination off of Washington’s ballot. And that’s why we need you to stand up and join this campaign today.

INDIVIDUALS: Click here to add your name to Washington Won’t Discriminate’s campaign to stop I-1515 before opponents can put it on the ballot this November!

BUSINESSES: Click here to show that Washington businesses will not discriminate!

In 2016, LGBT rights should be non-negotiable. Thanks for standing with Washington Won’t Discriminate.

Let’s keep Washington a great place for everyone.

President & CEO, Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA)

and, Fred Swanson, the Executive Director of Gay City Health Project chimes in as well:

I know it’s unusual to hear from us on political issues, but we wanted to make sure you knew about I-1515, the anti-LGBTQ and specifically anti-trans initiative working its way towards the November ballot in Washington.  I’m sure you’ve been reading about HB2 in North Carolina, but it’s important to know that this kind of dangerous lawmaking is also happening in our back yards.

Our laws in Washington have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for more than 10 years. But now, anti-LGBTQ organizers are gathering voter signatures on I-1515, a ballot initiative to repeal Washington’s legal protections for our transgender neighbors, family and friends.

Under no circumstances can we let a discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ initiative like I-1515 undermine the values that make Washington such a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

That’s why, today, Gay City is proud to help launch Washington Won’t Discriminate–the broad-based coalition of law enforcement officers, clergy, sexual assault prevention groups, businesses, and many others in opposing I-1515 and protecting freedom, equality, and respect for everyone.

If you agree that discrimination has no place in Washington, add your name now to stand with the the No On I-1515 campaign.

Opponents of LGBTQ rights are spinning the same tired lies that have been peddled elsewhere—from North Carolina to Mississippi—that non-discrimination laws threaten privacy and safety. But the truth is I-1515 will do nothing to make us safer. We’ve protected gay and transgender people from discrimination in Washington for 10 years, with no increase in public safety incidents as a result.

Help us in keeping Washington to be a great place for everyone!

Thanks you,

Fred Swanson
Executive Director
Gay City

And, we’ll add our name to that list. Don’t just say no to I-1515…

Say, “HELL NO” to taking a giant step backwards for LGBTQ civil rights.