‘This city has your back’: Bellingham advances ordinance widening LGBTQ+ protections
Bellingham City Council members unanimously approved tougher language for the city’s anti-discrimination laws as part of an effort to protect its transgender residents and other marginalized groups from attacks on their civil rights at the federal level.
Councilwoman Hannah Stone wrote an addition to the citywide ordinance in response to testimony from transgender residents and their supporters at several City Council meetings dating to late winter. Citing threats from the Trump administration, supporters want Bellingham to declare itself a trans sanctuary city as Olympia and others have done, and they said the measure tentatively approved Monday falls short of that.
The new ordinance was first discussed June 23 and approved on first and second reading Monday after several changes in committee. A third vote on the ordinance is required, and the measure could be amended until final approval, which could come as early as the council’s July 21 meeting.
Some City Council members thought a “sanctuary” ordinance would be a symbolic statement that lacked teeth. They feared it could draw the ire of federal agencies, jeopardizing millions of dollars in funding for the city’s roads, public works and social services such as housing subsidies.
But trans supporters wanted the sanctuary declaration.
Councilman Michael Lilliquist said the ordinance that passed Monday does just that, without using the word.
“This is what a municipal sanctuary ordinance looks like,” Lilliquist said.
In public testimony after the vote, sanctuary supporters thanked the council for their effort and asked them to take it a step further.
“I am grateful to this City Council for the dedicated work in drafting and revising this ordinance. I look forward to continued listening sessions to cooperate in achieving equality for all,” Selene Etheredge of Bellingham said. “You see the wrong occurring in our nation. Sanctuary is naming it, like a victim being assaulted in the street calling for help. Sanctuary does not guarantee help. It communicates the need for it (and) the context behind it.”
Etheredge drafted a resolution to protect trans rights and has been soliciting support online through her organization, Trans Survival.
“Bellingham City Council and (Mayor Kim Lund) are refusing to include sanctuary status in the ordinance, gutting essential protections from the proposition,” Etheredge said at Trans Survival’s website.
As written, the new ordinance that says that Bellingham “is committed to diversity, inclusion, and justice, ensuring that all members of our community can live authentically and without fear of discrimination or harm.” It adds gender expression and gender identity to the protected classes of people.
“This city has your back. I hope you understand that and that we will to our best to protect your rights and your challenges as we move ahead,” Councilman Skip Williams said.
