Washington parents sue to block transgender sports initiative

The case, brought before King County’s trial court, challenges Initiative 638, which Washington voters approved last week. The measure had received 56% of the vote, with ballots still being counted as of Tuesday morning, and requires sex verification before students can compete in girls’ sports. It is scheduled to take effect December 3, when election results are due to be certified.

Washington sports ban faces challenge over girls’ privacy

Washington’s new restriction on transgender girls’ school sports participation is facing a court challenge over the privacy and equality of all girls. Parents of transgender and cisgender athletes, TransFamilies and the Washington Education Association filed suit in King County on November 9, asking a judge to prevent Initiative 638 from taking effect December 3.

The measure requires medical verification of a student’s sex before she can play on a girls’ team; the requirement does not apply to boys. The plaintiffs argue that this creates an intrusive screening system and discriminates on the basis of sex and gender identity. They warn that possible verification methods, including examinations of reproductive anatomy, could expose students to invasive scrutiny and deter girls from sports.

The lawsuit says the initiative conflicts with Washington’s constitutional privacy protections and anti-discrimination law. It also challenges a measure approved by voters last week, with 56% support in results still being counted Tuesday morning. The state attorney general’s office is responsible for defending voter-approved initiatives and said it would review the litigation. The case puts the burden of the new policy—and its sex-verification requirement—at the center of the dispute.

Voters’ girls’ sports measure challenged before taking effect

Washington voters approved a measure to protect girls’ sports, and opponents moved to stop it in court before it takes effect. Initiative 638 had 56% support in results still being counted Tuesday morning. The lawsuit, filed in King County on November 9, seeks to prevent implementation on December 3.

The measure requires sex verification before a student can participate in girls’ sports. Its supporters say it protects fairness for girls; the requirement does not apply to boys. Let’s Go Washington, the group behind the initiative, says it expects the attorney general to defend the law and school officials to ensure districts comply.

The plaintiffs include parents of transgender and cisgender athletes, TransFamilies and the Washington Education Association. They argue the initiative violates privacy and equal-rights protections and conflicts with state anti-discrimination law. Their challenge portrays verification as an intrusive burden, while the measure’s supporters frame the policy as a safeguard for girls’ teams. The attorney general’s office says it will review the case and consider next steps. The court fight will determine whether the voter-approved policy can begin as scheduled.