Bellingham set to begin debate on new anti-discrimination ordinance
Tougher language is being proposed for Bellingham’s anti-discrimination laws in an effort to protect the city’s transgender residents from a nationwide effort to restrict their access to health care and undermine their civil liberties.
Councilwoman Hannah Stone has been writing an addition to a citywide ordinance in response to several weeks of testimony from transgender residents and their supporters at recent City Council meetings.
Discussion on the proposed expansion of protections for LGBTQ+ people took place during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole Monday afternoon.. The council did not vote on the measure during its Monday, June 23 meeting.
As written, the ordinance creates a new chapter of the Bellingham Municipal Code that spells out the city’s commitment to equal treatment and services for all residents, “regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,” according to a draft version being introduced for consideration.
That means landlords can’t discriminate against LGBTQ+ people; police must treat everyone fairly — investigating hate crimes where appropriate, and city officials must use a person’s preferred gender.
“The purpose of this chapter is to affirm and foster trust and cooperation between the city and LGBTQ+ communities, to heighten crime prevention and public safety, and to reaffirm the city’s commitment to equal access to city services, so that all people may continue to be productive members of the Bellingham community,” according to the proposed ordinance.
It does not include penalties for violating the ordinance, and does not meant the phrase “sanctuary city,” a class of protection that transgender activists and their allies have been requesting.
Consideration of the new ordinance stems from a campaign that began April 14 during the public comment section of City Council meetings, where anyone can speak on most any topic for three minutes. Speakers offered more than seven hours of deeply personal stories of pain and bigotry they face over several meetings in April, May and June.
About 100 supporters rallied for a sanctuary declaration Monday, June 14 in front of City Hall, where Cori Lovejoy of Bellingham urged unity and perseverance.
“We’ve got to put our faith and hope for safety in each other and in this community and in our allies because we can’t rely on (city officials) nor the state government nor the federal government to protect us. We can’t depend on it, we know that. It’s up to us,” Lovejoy said.
City Council members seem to favor the new ordinance. In discussions at previous meetings, Stone’s colleagues have praised her efforts to craft a measure than could withstand a legal challenge.
On June 9, the council’s last meeting, council members unanimously approved a resolution, which is a statement without the force of law, affirming the city’s commitment to social justice — including trans rights.
“This ordinance puts into action (the) values affirmed in the June 9 resolution, with a specific focus on supporting LGBTQ+ community members,” according to a summary statement for the proposal.
Editor’s note (June 24): This article was updated to show that no vote was taken on the measure during the Bellingham City Council’s June 23 meeting.
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM.
