Bellingham bolsters transgender protections with new anti-discrimination measure
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- Bellingham City Council passed expanded anti-discrimination protections 7-0.
- New ordinance affirms equal city service access for LGBTQ+ residents.
- Measure excludes penalties or sanctuary status, despite activists' requests.
In defiance of Trump administration policies targeting transgender people, the Bellingham City Council unanimously approved tougher language for Bellingham’s anti-discrimination laws that add protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
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.
It was approved on a unanimous vote Monday night for its third and final reading, and becomes effective in 15 days. It passed unanimously on July 7 for its first and second readings.
“Hopefully this will set an example for other cities to follow through and not just take a mini step forward but a large, humongous step forward,” Councilman Skip Williams said during discussion before voting on the ordinance.
In his remarks Monday, Councilman Jace Cotton thanked his colleagues and the measure’s supporters, drawing on his memories as a closeted gay youth.
“My greatest hope for this action today is that some kid in their incognito mode can read a news story about this an feel a little bit more hopeful that they are loved and that they are perfect the way they are, as who they are,” Cotton said.
Council President Hollie Huthman said Trump is a “bully” and criticized his supporters.
“It’s the worst kind of punching down. This should be something that we moved on from decades ago,” Huthman said.
Consideration of the 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.
According to the measure, “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.” It does not include penalties for violating the ordinance, and does not use the phrase “sanctuary city,” a class of protection that transgender activists and their allies have been requesting.
Several supporters of the measure addressed the council’s action in an open public comment session after Monday’s meeting, including Selene Etheredge, who organized support for the measure using word of mouth, social media and the website Trans Survival.
“You have listened patiently. You have worked diligently. You have acted to protect our community from danger. For this, and your continued effort to incorporate our community, I personally thank you,” she said.
But she vowed to continue pushing for trans sanctuary status.
