Legal
Where can I find the text of the Washington State laws protecting Trans and LGB people and information explaining what it means
RCW 49.60.030 and RCW 49.60.040 can be found on the Washington State website. Both bills extend the Washington State Declaration of Civil Rights by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected classes against denial of service and accommodations. What this means for folks with varying gender identity is that (among other things) we have the right to sue the bathroom that we choose. We have legal recourse should we suffer discrimination in employment. We encourage you to read the bills to educate yourself further on the rights that we now enjoy thanks to the work of many activists and politicians over the years.
The most salient part of the law f those of us on the gender spectrum is in the definition of sexual orientation:
"Sexual orientation" means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression or identity. As used in this definition, "gender expression or identity" means having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth.
If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you can contact the Washington State Human Rights Commission at 1-800-233-3247. For more information: www.hum.wa.gov.
If you live in unincorporated King County: King County Office for Civil Rights: 206-296-7592. For more information: www.kingcounty.gov/exec/civilrights.
If you live within the Seattle city limits, call 206-684-4500.
