This Monday (2/15) an anti-trans hate group calling itself “Keep Locker Rooms Safe” has scheduled a rally in support of two anti-trans bills that were proposed in the state legislature (SB 6548 and SB 6443 – more information below). These bills would set back the work that activists in Washington have been doing for years to make the state a safer and more just place for trans people. The WA SAFE Alliance, which UAW 4121 members voted to join at last month’s membership meeting, is asking people to attend a counter-protest that has been scheduled at the same time as the hate group’s rally.
If you are free on Monday, please consider attending this very important rally. Our presence at this rally will mean a lot to trans people and activists in the state and will send a message to lawmakers that these bills are not what the people of Washington want.
We will be putting together carpools for the event, so write the trans equity working group (trans-equity@uaw4121.org) or the union office (uaw4121@uaw4121.org) for more information.
More information about the bills and what you can do
SB 6443 – Would reverse a rule enacted by the Washington State Human Rights Commission in December that requires public buildings to allow transgender individuals to use restrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with.VOTED DOWN
SB 6548 – Would make it so that public or private organizations could require that trans people use bathrooms that are not consistent with the gender they identify with.
These bills infringe on the rights of trans people and put trans people at considerable risk.
SB 6548 has passed out of committee and is now on its way to the Rules Committee, which will decide whether or not to bring them to a floor vote. It is important that we stop this bills in the State Senate and send a message to legislators (and others who may be planning an initiative) that laws targeting trans people will not be tolerated in Washington State.
Please Contact your state senator immediately to urge them to oppose SB 6548. People living in the following areas are especially asked to contact their state senators: Redmond, Bothell, Kirkland, Duvall, Woodinville, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Factoria, Sammamish, Auburn, Kent, Covington, and Renton. Please also ask friends and family to contact their senators if they live in these areas of the state.