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Home *The Strangeways Report, News, Queer News, Seattle News, Trans* Issues, Washington State NewsWashington DOESN’T Discriminate As I-1515 Fails To Make November Ballot

Washington DOESN’T Discriminate As I-1515 Fails To Make November Ballot

July 8, 2016• byMichael Strangeways

1515Fails

The transphobic proposed Washington State Initiative 1515 failed to acquire the required number of signatures to make the November ballot. The creators of I-1515 quietly canceled a meeting with the Secretary of State scheduled for today to turn in those signatures. I-1515 would have repealed existing Washington State non-discrimination laws that currently protect the rights of transgender Washingtonians.

That announcement is a victory for the battle for equality for all queer people and sends a clear message that the majority of Washington citizens choose to support our community and specifically our transgender friends, family and neighbors.

The I-1515 campaign has faced criticism and scrutiny for months for alleged underhanded tactics that included charges of signature gatherers misrepresenting themselves to the public (as ANTI-1515 signature gatherers) as well as allegations that “I-1515 campaign manager Joseph Backholm instructed male signature gatherers to follow women into public restrooms with the express intent of intimidating them into signing the petition in support of I-1515.” The I-1515 campaign was severely rebuked for these actions by Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson who warned the campaign they could face criminal charges for illegal trespass and harassment.

Seth Kirby, the chair of the “Washington Won’t Discriminate: No On I-1515” campaign, released this statement:

“As a transgender man, I’m encouraged that voters didn’t buy the pitch that repealing our state’s non-discrimination protections for transgender people would somehow make everyone safer…everyone in our state should be able to earn a living, frequent a business, earn an education, and raise a family free from the fear of discrimination.”

Kirby went on to state that this was an important day for Washington State and the battle for civil rights in our state.

“Washingtonians have sent a clear message – we won’t discriminate.”

 

 

 

 

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About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.

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