Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Callie Craighead

callie.craighead@seattle.gov

Mayor Harrell Signs Legislation Fortifying Local Protections for People Seeking Gender-Affirming and Reproductive Health Care

Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined City leaders and LGBTQ+ community advocates to sign new legislation that strengthens local protections for people seeking gender-affirming and reproductive health care services in Seattle, with a focus on supporting Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community in response to recent federal actions.

The legislation was signed into law on Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to uplift the lives and contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about anti-transgender hate and discrimination.

“Seattle is a city where diversity is celebrated, and the LGBTQ+ community is not just accepted, but embraced,” said Mayor Harrell. “The egregious attempts by the Trump administration to target, discriminate, and dehumanize LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender individuals, and strip them of their rights goes directly against our city’s values. This legislation shows our commitment to a Seattle where everyone – regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation – can live openly and be treated with dignity and respect.”

Proposed by Mayor Harrell in collaboration with LGBTQ+ City employees and the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, the legislation was unanimously approved by the City Council earlier this week.

The legislation reiterates and affirms the City’s stance as a welcoming and supportive place for LGBTQ+ community members, extends Washington State’s “Shield Law” into the municipal code, and protects people seeking or providing reproductive or gender-affirming care in Seattle from arrest or prosecution.

The ordinance expressly extends the requirement to protect the provision of protected health care services to City employees and creates a local cause of action enforceable by the City.

This new legislation builds on other measures the City has enacted to protect access to essential health care services. In 2022, Mayor Harrell signed a suite of legislation supporting reproductive rights and access to health care, including a bill that made encroaching on individuals seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care a misdemeanor offense.

What People Are Saying

Council President Nelson

“This legislation sends a clear message: Seattle is and will remain a safe harbor for communities under relentless attacks from the Trump Administration and its allies. Seattle has long-been a welcoming city, offering services and support to any one in need. This legislation will defend vulnerable people from anti-choice and anti-transgender policies that do not reflect our values or needs as a community.”  

Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth

“I was proud to support this legislation that will make Seattle a safe place for anyone seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care. It is more critical than ever that Seattle protect our residents. We continue to lead with love against the harmful efforts to scapegoat members of the LGBTQ+ community. Seattle will always remain a safe and welcoming place for trans and non-binary Americans to call home.”

Councilmember Mark Solomon

“The Mayor’s proposal reaffirms our city’s reputation as a beacon of liberty for those seeking the freedom to reach their full potential, with dignity, safe from politically-driven hatred and discrimination.”

Kody Allen, Co-Chair, Seattle LGBTQ Commission

"This ordinance tells our community: You belong here. We will fight for you. You are not alone. Our hope is that this is the beginning of something bigger, that this is the start of a new era of collaboration where the city and the community stand side by side against hate, transphobia, homophobia, and all forms of oppression. That it reminds us that there is still a future worth fighting for. Seattle is taking a stand, not just for queer people in this city, but for everyone whose rights and identity are under attack across the country. And we are doing it together. That matters."

Nakita Venus, Executive Director, Seattle LGBTQ+ Center

“Our Center has been proudly serving our community, providing accessible healthcare and resources to our 2SLGBTQIA+ family amidst adversity, hatred, ignorance, and violence for 30 years. We have never been disillusioned about where we stand and who stands with us; it is within this reality that we find strength and resilience to fight back.

Our fight for humanity, dignity, respect, and equality is only strengthened when our Seattle community is in our corner, giving us the resources and reinforcements to continue this fight–this ordinance does just that. We are grateful to our city and community for working together to help provide the much-needed protections this ordinance offers. This ordinance takes the necessary steps to protect our rights as Queer and Trans people and protect the healthcare providers who work tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to reproductive services and gender affirming care. This is an opportunity to be loud in their support for Queer and Trans people and be courageous in their actions to fight for life saving gender affirming healthcare and reproductive healthcare.

Our fight is not over, but in true Seattle LGBTQ+ Center fashion, we will still stand with and for our community. And we are grateful and excited to have the City of Seattle stand with us!”

Patti Hearn, Executive Director, Seattle Pride

“As LGBTQIA2S+ rights and reproductive freedoms face relentless attacks nationwide, Seattle is taking a stand. This vital Shield Law exists to protect safety, dignity, and access to essential care. It sends a clear message: Seattle will always be a safe haven and will defend every person’s right to live authentically and make their own healthcare decisions. Seattle Pride supports the City’s efforts to strengthen protections for our community. Now is not the time for silence or complacency. It’s a time for action and a time to ensure our voices are heard.”

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