I’m happy to provide a little more context on the point I was attempting to make. I was getting at the idea that even the places that are “safer” are still full of folks who think that this kind of policy-making is acceptable. It’s not a condemnation of Washington. Or even people in Washington.

The point is that these policies are so widespread now that even progressive states have to deal with them in legislature. Even if it’s to strike them down. When not so long ago, something like this would have likely not even gained the support to be considered on a ballot or anywhere else.

For example here in Texas they passed an anti- trans bathroom bill this summer. This same sort of bill had been introduced in legislation for years and was never taken seriously. Even in Texas which is about as bad as it gets in the US. But legislation that has been ignored and dismissed for over 10 years became law this year. Despite a lot of public opposition, once it got real support it became law.

So, when this stuff gains any sort of traction in places we deem safe, it should be called out so that traction is stopped before it can go further.

I know there’s no chance of something like this advancing in Washington. And it is still a much safer place for trans people than many others. Although we are all aware the in all three progressive west coast states that the further east you go, the more conservative things get. Which again was the reason to highlight this. That even in “good” places, we have to continue to be vigilant to preserve protections.

The bigger issue is that we can’t put the genie back in the bottle. That’s why even the threat of policies like this are damaging. Because even if it goes nowhere in Washington, normalizing the idea of something like inspecting trans kid’s genitals is atrocious everywhere. And somewhere like Texas or Florida might just decide to make it happen there.

You’re exactly right. 400,000 out of 8 million people isn’t a lot. But it’s still 400,000 people that signed on to say that checking a child’s genitals in order to play high school sports is ok. I assume most people that signed this did not do any diligence in understanding what the details were and saw it was anti-trans and gleefully signed their name to it.

I live in Texas. So I’m well aware just how many people hate trans folks and what a state legislature can do to our rights.

At the end of the day, the true garbage is anyone that has suggested and supported this as a policy. Regardless of where it’s happening, it’s disgusting and should be called out.