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Transgender Rights

All people have a right to be who they are, and to live a life free from discrimination. Yet in housing, employment, and public places— including restrooms— in Washington, transgender and non-binary people are unfairly targeted, excluded, and harassed. The ACLU of Washington works to ensure that transgender, non-binary and gender-nonconforming people have the same rights as everyone else. We’re fighting illegal discrimination wherever it exists, ensuring transgender people have access to the health care they need, helping to remove obstacles to obtaining legal name changes and gender marker changes on identification documents, and fighting for the rights of transgender parents.

Resources

Published: 
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
For the second year in a row, a ballot initiative aimed at rolling back non-discrimination protections for our transgender friends and neighbors in Washington has failed.
Published: 
Friday, June 17, 2016
The ACLU has long advocated for the legal rights of transgender individuals, as part of our core commitment to equality for all people.
News Release, Published: 
Monday, November 23, 2015
A private health plan has agreed to cover medically necessary health care for transgender people. Action came after a Seattle man represented by the ACLU challenged the plan’s denial of coverage for routine laboratory tests. (Client Anthony Bopp pictured)
Published: 
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
On July 7, the ACLU of Washington joined a broad range of community organizations to co-sponsor a forum on “The Continuing Fight for LGBTQ Equality – What Lies Ahead” at Town Hall Seattle.  The event featured a panel to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision guaranteeing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and a second panel on the remaining, ongoing efforts to achieve full LGBTQ equality in Washington
Published: 
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
We are proud to announce the latest version of our transgender “Know Your Rights” guide, The Rights of Transgender People in Washington State.
Published: 
Friday, June 27, 2014
The ACLU of Washington applauds WA Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler for his recent action supporting the rights of transgender people. Kreidler wrote to health insurance companies on Wednesday to make clear that it is illegal to discriminate against transgender policyholders under state and federal law.
Published: 
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
I walked through Town Hall Seattle’s doors last week for the forum on “Hospital Mergers and Religious Restrictions on Health Care” ready to work at the ACLU-WA booth. Handing out information and answering general questions. I watched as articles about mergers between secular and religious hospitals flew off the table into the hands of worried people. As more and more people flowed into the lobby, I was struck by the community’s concern about the situation. More than 400 people attended the event.
Published: 
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
The ACLU of Washington staff, volunteers and supporters marched for LGBT rights at the 2013 Trans Pride and Seattle Pride celebrations.  On the heels of the US Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and a few months after the passage of marriage equality in our state, it should come as no surprise that jubilation filled the air and supporters filled the streets at these events.
Published: 
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Two years ago, Michelle DeShane wanted to add her partner Mitch, a transgender man, to the housing voucher she receives to find affordable housing. The local housing authority in Richland refused and told her that the couple did not meet its definition of a “family.” Then it referred the DeShanes to a neighboring housing authority, because, as they were apparently told, that housing authority “accepts everyone – even Martians.”

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