Dori Monson: Seattle breastfeeding ordinance “really dumb”

Dori Monson said he has no problem with breastfeeding, but he does have a problem with Seattle’s new breastfeeding ordinance. (AP Photo/file)

On Monday, the Seattle City Council made it illegal for businesses and other entities to ask nursing moms to stop, cover up or move to a different location when breastfeeding.

It’s already against Washington state law to discriminate against public breastfeeding, and 97.3 KIRO FM host Dori Monson calls the extra ordinance imposed by the city of Seattle “really dumb.”

“I have no problem with public breastfeeding, but I also have no problem with a private business owner saying, ‘Hey how about moving to a dressing room for that?'” said Monson. “Now, merely asking somebody, ‘Hey do you mind going from here to the dressing room?’ that’s an illegal act.”

Seattle’s ordinance would make it illegal to ask a nursing mom to stop, cover up or move to another location; it would apply to areas open to the public, including doctor’s offices, restaurants, libraries and theaters.

Supporters say nursing moms in Seattle continue to be told to stop, cover up or move to a different area while at cafes, stores, restaurants, theaters and other areas of public accommodation, despite the existing state law.

“We know that every single day, moms are being discriminated against,” said Rachel Schwartz, manager of the advocacy group Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington. “It’s not about duplicating the (state) law. It’s making it easier to follow through with the law.”

“We have a mania around here to make every single human being part of a victim class and now we’ve added breastfeeding moms to that list of victims,” said Monson.

After hearing offenders will be fined and may have to undergo sensitivity training, Monson had another idea.

“What we need is not sensitivity training for the asker, but overly-sensitive training for the askee,” said Monson. “We have people who are so desperate to feel like victims every second of their life, they’re the ones that need some training.”

Monson in a Minute: Doesn’t this open the door for some
silly breastfeeding practices?

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor
The Associated Press contributed to this report.