ACLU of Washington says it will sue to block ballot initiative to protect girls' sports

The organization said it is acting on behalf of a coalition of Washington parents and educators.Its announcement named Legal Voice, TransFamilies and the Washington Education Association as groups involved in the challenge."We're filing a lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of Washington parents and educators to stop the implementation of Initiative 638, a discriminatory law that bans transgender girls from participating in girls’ school sports," the ACLU of Washington said in a statement.JACKSON THOMPSON: WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLS GIRLS' SPORTS INITIATIVE UNCONSTITUTIONALThe lawsuit was filed Monday in King County Superior Court, according to the Washington State Standard.

Plaintiffs include TransFamilies, the Washington Education Association and parents of transgender and nontransgender students who participate in girls' sports.Pacifica Law Group is representing them alongside the ACLU and Legal Voice.The challenge argues the initiative violates state constitutional privacy protections and antidiscrimination law, the outlet reported.Washington voters approved the measure in the Nov.

3 election.Unofficial returns compiled by Ballotpedia showed approximately 56% support as of Monday night.The measure would bar students it defines as biologically male from competing with or against female students in designated girls' interscholastic athletic competitions.

Students seeking to participate in those competitions would have to submit a statement from a health care provider verifying their biological sex based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup or naturally produced testosterone levels.Supporters, led by Brian Heywood's conservative political organization Let's Go Washington, argue the restrictions protect fairness and athletic opportunities for girls."To every female athlete who wondered whether her voice mattered: tonight, Washington heard you," Heywood said in an election statement reported by the Washington State Standard.PRO-TRANS ACTIVISTS HOLD ...