 Statement from Washington State LGBTQ Commission Regarding White House Executive Orders on Gender Identity
Olympia, WA, February 21st, 2025 - The Washington State LGBTQ Commission was established to improve the state’s interface with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and to ensure that there is an effective means for advocating for LGBTQ equity in all aspects of state government.
Recent federal actions represent a direct attack on our community. They are explicit attempts to erase the existence of transgender, gender-nonconforming, Two Spirit, and intersex people: defining them out of law, barring them from serving in our armed forces, banning trans girls from competing in athletics, and denying evidence-backed gender affirming health care for youth. These executive orders contradict scientific best practices supported by every major medical association in the United States and are grossly misaligned with Washington state's shield law and anti-discrimination laws.
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission stands firmly in support of transgender, gender-nonconforming, Two Spirit, and intersex rights. The dehumanizing rhetoric coming from our federal government concerning 2SLGBTQIA+ people goes against what we know and value as a state. Through principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion of all people, we become stronger together. It is imperative that the intersections of immigration and disability status, race and ethnicity be reflective and prioritized in our work.
To the 2SLGBTQIA+ community: your state values you, your state wants you to be here, and your state will fight for your right to exist and thrive. As terrifying as these federal executive orders are, Washington state is committed and prepared to fight against discrimination and oppression from any administration. We have some of the strongest state laws in the country to protect your right to be who you are and love who you love.
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission, as an arm of the Governor’s Office, is working closely with the state Attorney General’s Office, legislative leadership, various state agencies, and community partners to understand the direct implications of these orders in Washington state.
A federal judge granted the Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown’s request for a temporary restraining order against an executive order that would end federal funding to medical institutions providing gender-affirming care. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has released this statement defending transgender girls' participation in athletics, and the Department of Health announced a three-day turnaround time for birth certificate sex designation changes.
During a press conference on February 13th, Governor Bob Ferguson expressed our state’s ongoing commitment to protecting the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming Washingtonians.
"The transgender community, in particular, is under attack right now, including their ability to access health care. As you know, if an individual’s sex assigned at birth is incongruent with their innate gender identity, this can cause varying degrees of gender dysphoria, a serious medical condition. That's not a political opinion – that's a medical fact. Health care provided to treat gender dysphoria is just that – it’s health care. In Washington state, we will not treat health care like a political football." - Gov. Ferguson
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is committed to providing you with answers and resources as soon as we have them. We are committed to fighting for our rights and freedoms. No matter what any political leader says, you are real, you are not alone, and you are valued beyond measure.
“We're not going to change our values. In fact, we are going to lean into them.”
- Gov. Ferguson
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To share your story, experiences, and concerns with us, please use this form by clicking the link or scanning the QR code.
https://forms.office.com/g/LLkWWxw8XR
In solidarity,
Washington State LGBTQ Commission
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Supported by: Washington State Office of Equity, Washington State Commission on African American Affairs, Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and the Washington State Women's Commission
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