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King County Council moves to adopt Transgender protections

King County Council moves to adopt Transgender protections
Council to hear additional public testimony on Monday, March 27 Robert Raketty - SGN Staff Writer The King County Council is expected to adopt on ordinance on Monday, March 27, that would add Transgender people to the County's non-discrimination code. All of the Democratic majority is backing the measure. "Today we heard from people whose lives have been adversely affected - even to the point of homelessness - by discrimination because of their gender identity," said Council Chair Larry Phillips in a written statement issued Monday. "They were here to ask for basic fairness when it comes to employment and housing, not 'special rights.' Equal treatment before the law is the goal of this legislation." The Council heard testimony during a public hearing on Monday from several Transgender people and their supporters. "I know first-hand the prejudices and discrimination, and I've seen it happen time and time again with people I know," said John Otto. Zan Lussier said that his credit report showed his former identity while seeking a mortgage. Luckily, his mortgage broker understood. However, he argued that similar examples could keep Transgender people from being "allowed to play on an even ball field." Aidan Key, said he "had to fight to keep [his] daughter in [his] life" because of Transgender discrimination. Another male to female Transsexual, said she has been living in her car, due in part to Transgender discrimination by landlords. No one had turned out to speak against the proposed ordinance (No. 2006-0125). However, the Council plans to hear additional testimony on Monday before casting their votes. "For the words 'equality under the law' to ring true, this is a necessary piece of legislation," said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. "This is truly a quality of life issue. Without it, sexual minorities will continue to be denied equal rights the rest of us take for granted." County law already prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations. A law passed by the Legislature recently extended similar protections to the entire state, but also prohibited discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The law, which took nearly three decades to pass, faces a possible ballot challenge from Tim Eyman's Referendum 65. "It took the state of Washington three decades to act to protect the rights of sexual minorities," said Councilmember Dow Constantine. "That's too long to wait. We want to declare right now that there is no room for inequality in King County." The proposed ordinance would amend the County's definition of sexual orientation to include Transgender people; amend the private right of action for employment and public accommodations; amend the Office of Civil Right's subpoena power for employment and public accommodations investigations; and increase civil penalties for violations. "We believe that the proposed Omnibus Civil Rights Ordianance is a proper and prudent exercise of our County's authority in protection of civil rights of a minority which faces and has faced discrimination&," Christine Landon, Chair of the Civil Rights Commission, told the King County Council on Monday. "The Civil Rights Commission has, in the past two years, worked with the staff of the Office of Civil Rights in support of this proposed Omnibus Civil Rights Ordinance and we continue to support passage of this ordinance&" The Council has been considering the legislation since 2004, when it had been proposed by King County Executive Ron Sims. Councilmember's Constantine, Phillips, Bob Ferguson and Larry Gossett had been early sponsors of that legislation.