KOMO News: New Seattle legislation reinforces protection for gender-affirming, reproductive care

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell took a significant step to support the city's transgender community by signing legislation that codifies the state's "shield law" into municipal code on Monday.

The legislation was unanimously approved by the Seattle City Council, according to the mayor's office. The newly approved legislation aims to affirm the city’s stance as a welcoming and supportive place for LGBTQ+ community members, according to the mayor's office.

This legislation builds on other measures the City has enacted to protect access to essential health care services," wrote the mayor's office in press release. "In 2022, Mayor Harrell signed a suite of legislation supporting reproductive rights and access to health care, including a bill that made encroaching on individuals seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care a misdemeanor offense.

This move guarantees gender-affirming and reproductive care for people across Seattle.

Seattle is a city where diversity is celebrated, and the LGBTQ+ community is not just accepted, but embraced,” said Mayor Harrell. “The egregious attempts by the Trump administration to target, discriminate, and dehumanize LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender individuals, and strip them of their rights goes directly against our city’s values.

"When we talk about accepting and embracing members of the community... we have to talk about protecting them as well," said Harrell during the announcement.

The mayor also criticized the Trump administration's policies targeting transgender individuals, emphasizing Seattle's commitment to ensuring all residents are treated with dignity and respect.

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