Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

In support of two citizens initiatives that target Transgender students, Washingtonians gathered outside of the state Capitol building on February 3. Led by conservative political group Let’s Go Washington, IL26-001 and IL26-638 are expected to reach the November ballot.

TtS previously reported on how IL26-001 would in part, allow parents to oversee their child’s educational activities as they relate to sexual orientation and gender identity. IL26-638 would force students to show documentation of their assigned sex at birth, and would require invasive exams of “reproductive organs” on all female students as young as 11 years— and boys are exempt.

“Girls are girls. Boys are boys, and being common sense is not extremism,” Amanda McKinney, District 1 congressional candidate, said.

These initiatives are backed by California millionaire Brian Heywood, who said he is inspired by anti-Trans athlete Riley Gaines. He said Gaines’ claims of being uncomfortable around Transgender girls in sports settings don’t impact him on a daily basis, but that it impacts his “dad soul” on a daily basis.

Heywood noted how the legislature passed the Parents Bill of Rights in 2024, but said it delivered a “pie crust promise,” as a woman dressed as Mary Poppins and carrying an umbrella walked up to the podium. Heywood asked her what a pie crust promise is, and she said it’s one that’s easily made and broken.

Numerous groups have spoken out against these initiatives, including Washington Families for Freedom, which was encouraging residents to vote no during Let’s Go Washington’s canvassing period, citing threats to the well-being and safety of students. Let’s Go Washington brought several female student athletes to the podium at the rally to share their perspectives.

Ahnaleigh Wilson, 16, is a public school student in Wenatchee and talked about coming in second place to a Transgender girl for track and field. When she falsely said a “boy” stood above her on the podium, the crowd loudly booed.

“That wasn’t just about a race, it wasn’t just about losing. It was the moment my family and I realized that this is deeply wrong. It was the moment that I understood that fairness, safety, and respect were being taken away from girls, and that could happen to any girl,” Wilson stated.

Wilson claimed her stance isn’t hateful or transphobic, but factual in that Trans and cis girls have different bodies, not identities— disregarding medical experiences and care like puberty blockers and hormone therapy. She said these initiatives are about fairness and “safety” for girls in locker rooms and private spaces, despite zero evidence of Trans girls harassing others in locker rooms.

It’s hurtful to see other women disagree and fight against her, Wilson said, claiming that girls are being pushed aside and ignores the original intent of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in activities for schools that receive federal funding. She encouraged people to vote in favor of these initiatives during the general election.

Tumwater High School student Francis Staudt, 16, spoke about sitting out the final basketball game of a season because she refused to compete against a Trans student.

“We are being told that 18-year-old men are not being present in the locker rooms and bathrooms, as 15-year-old girls seeking to silence their rights, their voices, and eradicating the fundamental female rights that the left claims to care about protecting so passionately,” Staudt said.

Staudt referenced radical gender ideology in schools and the need for intervention, calling out Governor Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

“Biological men and boys do not belong in my locker room or bathroom, and biological boys and men do not deserve to play against me,” Staudt said.

The LGB Courage Coalition’s executive director Jamie Reed described herself as a “whistleblower” while working at a pediatric gender center, declaring that children were being hurt and families were being destroyed. Reed lost her job and friends to pass laws in Missouri that prohibit puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgery.

Reed added that those who signed the petition are leading the nation in the fight against LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, and encouraging other blue and purple states to follow their path.

Trans youth at the forefront of hateful ideology

“Gender ideology” is a hate term tossed around by conservatives, oftentimes alongside “transgenderism,” and is used as a concept to attack and spread misinformation about LGBTQIA+ people. For years, conservative politicians have used this term to rollback rights of Trans youth, including access to lifesaving medical care.

“A derogatory term that anti-LGBTQ+ groups use to imply that LGBTQ+ identity is not real but is instead a belief system that is imposed on others. Like the term “gay agenda,” the term is used as a talking point to demonize LGBTQ+ people. Anti-LGBTQ+ groups often employ the term to claim any kind of positive affirmation of trans young people is a nefarious method of creating or recruiting new trans kids,” the Southern Poverty Law Center said.

With this ideology making its way into state legislatures and election ballots, Trans youth are at risk of being subjected to non-affirming environments, isolation, discrimination, depression, and suicidal ideation— when all they want to do is play sports and live as their authentic selves.

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