State of Washington secondary Archives: on Civil Rights
Michael Baumgartner:
Opposes gay marriage
In a December news release, Baumgartner pointed out that
Cantwell is not married and "has frequently voted to undermine the role of parents in child-rearing." He also opposes gay marriage.
Source: Yakima Herald on 2012 WA Senate debates
Apr 12, 2012
Pramila Jayapal:
Fought for racial justice against bigotry and discrimination
A History of Standing Up for Racial Justice: Pramila has been fighting for racial justice her whole life. As a woman of color and an immigrant, she knows exactly what it means to be in the minority.
She has fought against bigotry and discrimination, working in our public schools to provide education and training around bullying and harassment.
In the State Senate, she passed a bill to invest $5.25 million in pre-apprenticeship programs specifically for people of color and women.
She introduced a bill requiring an equity impact analysis of education proposals to determine disproportionate impact on kids of color. She also introduced an initiative to proactively change racist names on state lands.
Source: 2016 WA House campaign website PramilaForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Pramila Jayapal:
Prohibit anti-LGBTQ conversion therapy for minors
Pramila pushed for LGBTQ equality as a long-term organizing project--turning out the vote for marriage equality across the state. In the State Senate, Pramila fought back Republican efforts to repeal protections for transgender individuals to use
restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. She also voted to protect LGBTQ youth, by prohibiting the practice of conversion therapy for minors.Despite recent victories, 31 states still lack clear non-discrimination protections
for LGBTQ people. In Congress, Pramila will join the Congressional Equality Caucus to pass the Equality Act and the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which establish protections against discrimination for LGBTQ people in employment, housing, credit,
education and adoption among others. In addition, she'll fight for fair and accepting schools for LGBTQ young people, to put an end to conversion therapy, and to provide needed funding for programs that assist homeless LGBTQ youth.
Source: 2016 WA House campaign website PramilaForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Hilary Franz:
Trails for all: no matter who they love, how they identify
Commissioner Franz said, "I'm committed to ensuring all recreationists, no matter who they love or how they identify, feel welcome and have a safe experience on our trails and at our campgrounds." Washington State Human Resources has already installed
gender-affirming restroom signs outside multi-stall restrooms in their building. Gender-affirming signs are those that recognize that a person's gender expression and gender identity may align and may fall outside the binary gender options.
Source: Washington DNR: Governor press release on 2024 WA race
Jun 14, 2019
Page last updated: Feb 06, 2026