Washington State May Abolish Rule Forcing Businesses to Let Men Into Women’s Bathrooms

A Republican-led Senate committee narrowly passed a bill that would repeal Washington State’s new law requiring public buildings and most businesses to let people with gender dysphoria use the restroom, locker room, and other facilities of their choice.

On Wednesday, the Senate’s Commerce and Labor Committee heard from 300 people on both sides of the issue. While transgender activists said the law prevents discrimination, parents and others said they were concerned about the potential of sexual assaults. Some noted that the Human Rights Commission, which approved the so-called “non-discrimination” law, is not a legislative body.

One business owner, Thrive Community Fitness’s Paul MacLurg, told legislators that “now I have no good choices” when it comes to protecting women from men who would harass them. He has assigned a private restroom and locker room for transgender people.

Bill sponsor Senator Doug Ericksen described the measure as a “compromise” effort that would allow local jurisdictions to handle the issue on a case-by-case basis. “The state shouldn’t have a mandate on men using the women’s locker room,” he said.

Ramona Calquhoun told The Associated Press that, in addition to opening possibilities for sexual predators, “[e]ven mentioning anything puts you in a legally bad position to get sued.” (Read more from “Washington State May Abolish Rule Forcing Businesses to Let Men Into Women’s Bathrooms” HERE)

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