Transgender bathroom rule to get hearing in Yakima

OLYMPIA – Protesters gathered on the Capitol steps last February to denounce a rule that transgender people can use public restrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity rather than their anatomy. (Jim Camden / The Spokesman-Review)

A rule adopted late last year that people can use public restrooms and other facilities in Washington based on their gender identity will be reviewed by a joint legislative committee next month in Yakima.

The rule, adopted by the Human Rights Commission as in line with the state laws against gender discrimination, touched off a rash of protests early this year and several legislative bills that would have changed it. None passed, and only one received a vote in the full Senate.

An opponent of the new rule, Rebecca Faust, of Shelton, Washington, filed a request with the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee, which can determine whether a rule adopted by a state agency is within that agency’s authority. Faust previously asked Gov. Jay Inslee to repeal the rule, but he refused saying all residents have a right to be free of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The committee, which meets infrequently, has a two Democrats and two Republicans from each chamber, with Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, as the chairman. It scheduled a meeting for 1 p.m. June 9 at the Educational Service District 105 office in Yakima.

Thank you for visiting Spokesman.com. To continue reading this story and enjoying our local journalism please subscribe or log in.

You have reached your article limit for this month.

Subscribe now and enjoy unlimited digital access to Spokesman.com

Unlimited Digital Access

Stay connected to Spokane for as little as 99¢!

Subscribe for access

Already a Spokesman-Review subscriber? Activate or Log in

You have reached your article limit for this month.

Subscribe now and enjoy unlimited digital access to Spokesman.com

Unlimited Digital Access

Stay connected to Spokane for as little as 99¢!

Subscribe for access

Already a Spokesman-Review subscriber? Activate or Log in

Oops, it appears there has been a technical problem. To access this content as intended, please try reloading the page or returning at a later time. Already a Spokesman-Review subscriber? Activate or Log in