What was once “unimaginable just 10 years ago” is now a reality, according to a PFLAG-Olympia member, as the lives of transgender people have been upended in recent months by a new presidential administration.
In response to the growing crisis, the Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) officially proclaimed March 31 as “International Transgender Day of Visibility” during the board’s meeting on Tuesday, March 11.
“Now more than ever, we need our allies to not only stand behind us but to step up and be visible. … We are simply human beings trying to live our lives,” said PFLAG-Olympia Board member Lucas Miller.
Miller mentioned the organization has seen an increase in calls from transgender individuals who have become internal “refugees” seeking protections.
“We’re scrambling to find resources for essentially refugees within our own borders. … That we should have come to a crisis like this, which would have been unimaginable just 10 years ago, but here we are,” he said.
Looking back on President Donald Trump’s first days in office, he issued a series of executive orders affecting multiple communities, including those most at risk in the country, such as immigrants and communities of color.
One executive order also specifically withdrew federal recognition of transgender, nonbinary and intersex individuals.
The New Boys Club, a peer-led support group, stated during the meeting that the transgender community is now facing increasing “health disparities."
The group also said that an executive order has limited access to “gender-affirming care,” altered medical research, and terminated funding for grants that included LGBTQIA2S+ keywords.
On Jan. 28, Olympia was declared a sanctuary city for all sexual orientations and gender identities.
The following month, on Feb. 7, state Attorney General Nick Brown sued the Trump administration over a separate order that threatened to cut federal funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youths.
According to allies, Gov. Bob Ferguson also vowed to uphold state laws protecting the transgender community.
During a discussion, local officials acknowledged the state’s move and city’s advances on transgender rights.
Commissioner Emily Clouse lauded city leaders for taking a stand and recognizing the need for protection.
“I want to thank the City of Olympia for the proclamation declaring Olympia as a Sanctuary City. I think, that's really powerful to be vocal about the support for the transgender community and the LGBTQ community as a whole,” she said.
In terms of issues and matters that extend beyond LGBTQIA2S+ rights, BOH Member Clark Gilman brought up a concern from a constituent who feared being separated from a loved one during a hospital visitation.
“Where in government is it decided who can visit someone if they’re hospitalized or in jail?” he asked.
Gilman said the issue affects not just the transgender individuals, but also long-term friends and housemates who lack legal recognition.
Meanwhile, when it comes to psychological toll, particularly on transgender youths, Commissioner Carolina Mejia warned of the impact of this problem.
“We were talking about the mental health impact this is having on so many of our youth. … If we’re not vocal about it, it’s so much easier for misinformation to spread,” she said.
The officials pointed to recent events that unfolded at the Tumwater School District, where backlash against LGBTQ+ policies has fueled hostility.
“It was very sad to see a lot of that in our community here recently,” Mejia said.
According to the PFLAG-Olympia, the organization has been working directly with school officials to address concerns, such as counteracting falsehoods.
“We had the chair of the Tumwater School District attend the PFLAG meeting on Sunday (March 9) to kind of counter some of that misinformation and explain. You know what the vote was and what was going on with that. … Our president and secretary are scheduled to meet with the principal of Tumwater High School. So, we are very deeply involved in that,” Miller revealed.
He also stressed the fight for transgender rights must continue despite risks.
“You can’t fight only when it’s safe. … You have to be willing to stand up even when it’s dangerous to do so, because that’s the way that progress is made.”
BOH Chair Dr. Beth Harvey spoke from personal experience, for she has witnessed firsthand how transgender health care has become a target of political debate.
“As an aunt of a transgender nephew, who I’m very proud of, and as a pediatrician, who knew it would be so controversial to provide health care. … There are a lot of people willing to stand with you," Harvey said.
In the county’s proclamation, it cited figures on Washington’s transgender population and recognized the local contributions.
“At least 33,300 adults and 5,000 youth ages 13 to 17 identify as transgender in the state. ... We urge all residents to celebrate the accomplishments made by transgender and gender non-conforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to save transgender lives,” the proclamation read.
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KatAshe
I am so proud to live in state, county and city that supports all living here, whatever their sexuality.
Friday, March 14 Report this
Snevets
Friday, March 14 Report this
Snevets
Friday, March 14 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
People are OK if they are white, hispanic, asian, black, gay, transgender, confused. I am OK with that. However, I do not believe that I have to change my life to allow anyone else to interfere with my friends or family. They have every right to be who they are. So do I. Good luck to all.
Saturday, March 15 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
I believe that everyone can try to be who they want to be. That includes straight people, gay people, transgender people, and other racists, etc. EVERYONE is OK.
Saturday, March 15 Report this
RedskinPatriot
Let's not forget about the 'Minor Attracted Persons' or the 'this' group and 'that' group! Our Federal and State Governments have already established that everyone has the opportunity to be equally successful - it is not guaranteed success or happiness... When government picks winners and losers, everyone else wants their cut in on the action.
Right now, we have pride month, plus LGBTQ week, plus LGBTQ county celebrations.... But we only have Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Christmas Day, Labor Day, Independence Day... For the love of humanity... aren't we carving out enough recognition for these people? The people that have sacrificed more than any other Trans-whatever, literally only get a day of remembrance.
Just stop it - be comfortable with yourself and quit going to government for handouts and special considerations.
Saturday, March 15 Report this
wolfmanner
This is a joke. Olympia sinks to a new low.
Monday, March 17 Report this
UncommonSense
Be whatever you want to be.
Just don't try to compete in girls' sports if you weren't born a girl.
Monday, March 17 Report this
Freedom1
What right have they lost?
Tuesday, March 18 Report this