Spokane City Council passes LGBTQIA2S+ protections ordinance

The Spokane City Council voted 5-2 to pass an ordinance that strengthens protections for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, explicitly affirming the right to seek gender-affirming care and updating the city's Human Rights code. The ordinance defines gender-affirming care, prohibits the collection or dissemination of sex-assigned-at-birth information except in criminal investigations, and mandates the Spokane Police Department maintain an LGBTQIA2S+ liaison officer. It also ensures that city-provided healthcare covers legal gender-affirming treatments in Washington State. Supporters emphasized the ordinance's importance for safety, dignity, and inclusion, particularly amid increasing discrimination and restrictive policies in other states and at the federal level. Opponents voiced concerns about medical practices and proposed amendments related to restroom access, but these were not adopted. The ordinance builds on existing city and state anti-discrimination laws, acknowledging ongoing risks to LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and reaffirming Spokane's commitment to inclusivity.