It's time to vote

||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE |||

I filled my ballot out this morning, and it reminded me of how many of you showed up to see the candidates for council and learn about the awful initiatives on the ballot this year. We so appreciate every one of you.

Couldn’t make it? That’s okay! That’s what this email is for. We break down the initiatives and the harm they’re causing below.

We strongly encourage you to vote “no” on all three initiatives on this year’s Washington state ballot: IP26-645, IL26-001, and IL20-638.

IL26-001 The policy requires school staff to inform parents if a student identifies as LGBTQA+ and permits adults to access private school counseling records. Additionally, it eliminates the requirement for schools to promptly notify parents if their child is a victim of a crime at school. This will discourage students experiencing bullying or abuse from seeking help and break the trust required to build a supportive learning environment for young people in our community.

IL20-638 forces elementary, middle, and high school girls who want to play sports to prove they were assigned female at birth. That means they have to go through a medically unnecessary genital exam every year. (Genetic testing could work too, but most families can’t afford that.)

The argument that trans girls will always beat cis girls is based on the sexist idea that boys are always stronger than girls. Trans girls who are on puberty blockers or have been on cross-sex hormones for 1-2 years don’t have the supposed advantages that testosterone gives. Also, only about 5-10 trans young people play sports in Washington.

IP26-645 will eliminate crucial funding for education, childcare, and healthcare by repealing the billionaires’ tax.

All 3 initiatives are sponsored by a single billionaire.

Thank you to Libby from No Hate in WA State for speaking on IL26-001 and IL20-638. Thank you to Katherine and Jennifer for speaking with the Orcas community and answering questions. Thank you to Amy Vanderwarker for speaking on the danger of repealing IP26-645.

Remember: vote “No” on all three initiatives on this year’s Washington state ballot: IP26-645, IL26-001, and IL20-638.

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