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Washington Bill Proposes Expanding Protected Classes in Schools, Faces Backlash – American Faith

A new Washington state bill, Senate Bill 5123, introduced this legislative session, seeks to expand protected classes under the state’s nondiscrimination law for public schools. Sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), the legislation would add “gender identity,” “ethnicity,” “homelessness,” “immigration status,” and “neurodivergence” to the existing protections.

Proponents of the bill argue it is a step toward greater equity and inclusion for marginalized students. Nobles stated during a public hearing that the changes reflect evolving understandings of identity and discrimination, emphasizing, “By updating the statute, we can help ensure every student, regardless of their circumstances, background, or identity, can learn in an environment free of discrimination.”

Jaanvi Ganapathy, representing the Legislative Youth Advisory Council, supported the bill, noting it updates outdated definitions and aims to protect underrepresented students. She explained, “Our understanding of gender identity is not the same as it was fifteen years ago.”

Opposition to the bill centers on its definitions and potential consequences. Critics argue that recognizing “gender identity” and “gender expression” as defined in the bill could jeopardize federal funding under President Donald Trump’s executive order, which limits federal recognition of sex to male and female.

Dawn Lead testified that the definitions of gender identity contradict federal regulations and warned the legislation risks significant funding losses for Washington’s schools.

Tonya Hickman, representing the Lyden School Board, criticized the bill as prioritizing progressive ideologies over core educational values. She expressed concerns about trust in public education, warning that such measures could accelerate the “mass exodus” from public schools in the state.

As the debate continues, the bill highlights deep divisions over the role of identity in education and the balance between inclusion and adherence to federal policies.

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