Democrats favor transgender discrimination ban

By Keith Ervin – Seattle Times staff reporter

The Democratic majority on the Metropolitan King County Council appears ready to adopt an ordinance that would prohibit discrimination against transgender people.

Supporters say they want to send a message that Washington’s most populous county opposes an initiative and a referendum proposed by Tim Eyman to overturn a new state law protecting sexual minorities.

County law already bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. So if state voters repeal the gay-rights law recently approved by the state Legislature, the proposed county ordinance would protect the rights of gays, lesbians and transgender people in employment, housing and public accommodations.