Color Scheme

Subscribe now

I-1552 stokes fear

Grace Zentz’s June 30th letter to the editor titled “Why Initiative 1552” played up the threat of men wantonly invading women’s restrooms. It implied that women and children had been stripped of any right to use the bathroom or locker room in peace by the Washington State Human Rights Commission in 2015. This is false, and many of the “concerns” of those behind 1552 have already been addressed by the WSHRC.

The WSHRC’s “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding WAC 162-32-060 Gender-segregated Facilities” (it’s online, please google it) makes clear that no matter someone’s gender, entering a bathroom or locker room to prey on people is illegal.

Regardless, it’s been almost two years since the law went into effect. Our bathrooms and locker rooms aren’t a hunting ground for perverts. The people behind I-1552 are just stoking fear of the unknown to persecute our transgender friends and neighbors. If you’re scared by transgender people, or don’t understand them, take five minutes and go to transequality.org to inform yourself. No one will judge you for seeking information (in good faith) on a lived experience that’s different than yours.

Gian Mitchell

Spokane Valley

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email
editor@spokesman.com
Fax
(509) 459-3815
Phone
(509) 459-5430

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy