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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Washington already protects transgender students, Inslee says

Washington schools adopted policies to ensure transgender children feel safe even before the federal government issued its rules, Gov. Jay Inslee said Friday.

Guidance from the U.S Education and Justice departments affirms Washington “is doing the right thing for our students,” Inslee said after those directives were issued.

Since the start of the 2011-12 school year, all districts were required to adopt a state policy and procedure “that expressly prohibit the bullying of students based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity.” Districts can get help following the state’s anti-discrimination law from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the state School Directors Association and the Human Rights Commission.

“At a time (when) the rights of transgender students and men and women are under attack throughout the country – and even in our state – I applaud the Obama administration for establishing policies that will provide all our children an opportunity to thrive,” he said in a prepared statement.

The Human Rights Commission adoption of a rule that people can use public restrooms, locker rooms or other facilities based on their gender identity, rather than their anatomy, brought sharp criticism from some legislators this winter, but the rule was not overturned. Opponents are gathering signatures on an initiative to change the rule.