Democrats favor transgender discrimination ban

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.

Several transgender people and other supporters of the ordinance spoke at a council hearing Monday. A second hearing will be held next Monday, with a vote likely the same day.

"I know first-hand the prejudices and discrimination, and I've seen it happen time and time again with people I know," John Otto, a female-to-male transsexual, told the council.

All five Democrats on the County Council are co-sponsoring the ordinance, which was first proposed in 2004 by County Executive Ron Sims. All four Republicans voted last week against sending it to the full council with a recommendation of passage.

Reagan Dunn, R-Bellevue, said Monday he opposes the measure because it would expand the role of government and put a strain on small businesses, opening the door for more lawsuits.

"I don't think we should be heavily involved in the minutiae of the way businesses are operating," he said.

Dow Constantine, D-Seattle, said it's time to act. "It is important for us here in King County to make a statement of support for the sexual-minority community and for those legislators who were brave enough, after these three long decades [of failed state gay-rights bills], to stand up and vote to protect civil rights," he said.

Christine Landon, chairwoman of the King County Civil Rights Commission, said Monday the civil-rights proposal "will provide one more demonstration that the people of Washington state have nothing to fear from equality and basic decency."

Jesus "didn't have even one word to say about homosexuality," Darling said, but "affirmed gender minorities" with his statement in Matthew 19:12 that "there are eunuchs who are born that way from their mother's womb."

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com