We are back after a short long unexpected break.

We did it all in 4 months - packed, moved, moved again, traveled, illness, and work. We missed you and we are excited to jump back into it with this episode on Queer rights - an American legal battle.

In today's episode, To Be or Not To Be - Queer Rights, we talk about our home states: Washington and Idaho. Neighboring states with drastically different laws impacting our queer community.

Show Notes:

LGBT rights in Washington (state)

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in the U.S. state of Washington have evolved significantly since the late 1900s.  Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1976 after Seattle City Council passed an employment nondiscrimination ordinance and a housing nondiscrimination ordinance protecting homosexuals and then repealed the State sodomy law. LGBT people are fully protected from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations; in 2006 Washington state enacted anti-discrimination legislation regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Since 2012, same-sex marriage has been legal and same-sex couples are allowed to adopt.

Americans’ Support for Key LGBTQ Rights Continues to Tick Upward

Washington is frequently referred to as one of the United States' most LGBT-friendly states (top 5 states). Opinion polling has shown that a majority of Washingtonians support same-sex marriage and LGBT rights. A 2019 survey from the Public Religion Research Institute showed that 86% of residents supported anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT people. 

Washington's Equality Profile

See how Washington compares to the rest of the country on the Snapshot page. Washington's LGBTQ Laws and Policies. Click on each issue for more information ...

Washington lawmakers buck trend of anti-trans bills

• As some states seek to limit gender-affirming care, Washington is going in the opposite direction.

Gender Affirming Treatment Law Now in Effect | Provider

• Starting January 1, 2022, the Washington State Gender-Affirming Treatment Act imposes several requirements on coverage for health plans for gender-affirming ...

Washington bill to allow medical transgender interventions ...

• 2023 A Washington state bill that would strip parents' rights to intervene on their kids medical care in certain circumstances passed the House, ...
• A bill written to protect young people seeking reproductive health services or gender-affirming care that was widely misrepresented online passed the Democrat-controlled Washington legislature Wednesday.
• Viral posts falsely claimed the bill would result in children being legally taken from their parents if they did not consent to their child’s "gender transition."
• The legislation, Senate Bill 5599, is designed to ensure shelter for teenagers who are seeking reproductive health services or gender-affirming care and, for example, were kicked out by their parents.
• Existing law generally requires licensed shelters and host homes to notify parents within 72 hours when a minor comes into their care. The bill would allow the facilities to instead contact the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which could then attempt to reunify the family if feasible. The bill would also allow youths to stay at host homes, which are private homes that volunteer to temporarily house young people without parental permission.

Inslee signs bill to let transgender people seal name- ...

• 2023 The idea is to help people leave their old identities behind and prevent harassment, the bill sponsor says.
• A new law (Bill 5028) in Washington state will let transgender people seal court records of their name changes, with the goal of preventing the files from being used to facilitate harassment. Driving the news: Gov. Jay Inslee signed the measure into law Thursday, saying it would provide additional privacy to transgender people who change their names as part of their transition process.
• Details: The new policy will let people who change their names because of their gender identity get the records sealed, meaning the records wouldn't be publicly accessible.
• Right now under Washington law, that option is available only to domestic violence survivors who fear for their safety or their children's.

Washington State Passed a “Shield Law” to Protect Trans ...

• Apr 12, 2023 — On Monday, April 10, lawmakers passed HB 1469 by a 29-20 party-line vote in the state Senate. The bill designates reproductive health and gender ...

Anti-trans bills have doubled since 2022. Mapping where ...

• State legislators have introduced more than 400 anti-trans bills, more than were introduced from 2018 to 2022. Our map shows where states ...

State Equality Index 2022 (HRC)

• The State Equality Index (SEI) is a comprehensive state-by-state report that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ+ people and ...

• 1.  21 states are in the highest-rated category, “Working Toward Innovative Equality”: California, Maine, District of Columbia, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Delaware, Rhode Island, Maryland, Hawaii, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Virginia
• 2.    These states have a broad range of protections to ensure equality for LGBTQ+ people, including comprehensive non-discrimination laws, safer school policies, and healthcare access for transgender people. Advocates focus on the implementation of laws and advance innovative legislation that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations.

These states are protecting health care for transgender ...

• In 2023, a record number of states have passed rules or legislation to eliminate youth gender-affirming care, but a record number of states ...

Marica Darling's Podcast: Trans Spotting

 If you want to share your stories or questions please email us [email protected], that is a Queer Nun with a Drum dot com. OR connect with us on any of our social media platforms. 

Intro music by Jahzzar “Please Listen Carefully” "Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA" and Outro music by Scott Holmes “Acoustic Indie Folk” @ [email protected].

Editor: H. Greystone via FinalCut Pro

Writer: G. Thoren