White House is ‘ratcheting up the fear’ by revoking bathroom guidelines

The decision by the Trump administration to put transgender bathroom laws back in states’ hands has re-ignited a local fight.

Danni Askini of the Gender Justice League says people are concerned about what the change in policy could bring.

Bathroom wars: Opponent of transgender access says law violates boundaries

“We’re combating an effort here in Washington state with actions by the Trump administration. It’s more important than ever,” Askini told KIRO 7.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration lifted federal guidelines that said transgender students should be allowed to use public school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their chosen gender identity. The White House change doesn’t affect children in Washington yet because state law allows students to use bathrooms of the gender they identify with.

The decision is a reversal of an Obama-era directive issued in May. It will now be up to states and school districts to interpret whether federal sex discrimination law applies to gender identity.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray called the move by the Trump administration “bullying.” In a statement from the city, Murray said the decision sends a message that Trump doesn’t respect individual rights and that it is “ratcheting up the fear among marginalized communities.”

However, a group behind a failed initiative last year to undo that state law quickly introduced a new initiative (I-1552) to try again. The leader of the “Just Want Privacy” campaign and president of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, says with the federal government out of the way they’re confident they’ll get the needed signatures this time around.

“I think it takes away the strongest argument that the other side had, which is your local school district will lose funding,” Joseph Backholm said.

Backers of I-1552 have until July 7 to gather 330,000 signatures.

Askini says supporters of transgender bathroom rights will overcome the effort to undo the state law.

“Washington is setting the tone for the country about what fairness can look like and opportunity for everybody and what freedom looks like,” Askini said.

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