Note: There may be small typos and errors. We were typing this live, and posted immediately after the meeting ended.
Down at Nyne! It’s open on a rare Monday for a special occasion – providing a safe space for queer people + allies to testify in support of the LGBTQIA2S+ protection ordinance.
There’s a very decent turnout, lots of folks getting food and drinks, and the meeting is playing on a projector screen. Jeff from Fuse and Matt Danielson from Pride gave opening remarks to remind people what the ordinance does.
The meeting started behind them and Matt blew a kiss to the room. Council President Betsy Wilkerson is read the land acknowledgement and they’re off with Poetry at the Podium.
Angela is reading a poem that opened with lines about an old Prius and ended with Angela sharing lines about identifying as a butch lesbian.
Over 50 people signed up to testify on the Pride item btw so this is going to be a long night.
6:08: The board and commission appointments
They’re appointing people to the Climate and Sustainability Board and Justin Haller is testifying about how climate change isn’t real. He says the existence of beachfront property for sale is proof climate change isn’t real.
Lots of laughter from the room at Nyne as Haller testifies. He made reference to a Steve Martin movie, talked about intelligence being wasted. Someone from the room called his comments “a circlejerk.”
Board and commission appointments passed unanimously.
6:10 The Consent Agenda
Haller is back. The room said, “he’s back,” with more laughter. He asked what he was testifying on. Wilkerson said, “The consent agenda.”
Haller is angry about the parks levy. “What are we getting for that money?” “Parks.” said someone at Nyne. Haller doesn’t know where the money is going, he says it’s a blank check. Haller, if you read this, here’s the plan.
“He doesn’t know how to read!” someone exclaimed as Haller talked about how no one uses the libraries.
Haller is talking about potholes in bike lanes. A reminder: Haller once hit someone with his bike while yelling “Hot Pizza!”
Derek Azarro is testifying against the levy, I think, but quickly pivoted to talking about how the city spends too much money on Jewels Helping Hands’ services for homeless shelters.
Azarro also said Mayor Lisa Brown has done nothing to address fentanyl or homelessness and wants them to reinstate Prop 1. He specifically called out Zappone, but Zappone actually voted for council to consider Prop 1 last week.
Consent agenda passed unanimously.
6:15 – Emergency ordinance for siting of off-premises alcohol
This was discussed at committee and they voted at agenda review to add it to their list to vote on tonight – because it’s an emergency, it doesn’t have to follow ordinary protocol.
Hulings is testifying on this ordinance. He’s in opposition to it because it “pretends off premise alcohol outlets are the real threat to our parks, schools,” etc. The city is actually being destroyed by fentanyl, meth and illegal drugs, he said.
He doesn’t like that they wrote the ordinance is to protect low-income and non-white neighborhoods because over 80% of Spokane is white “it’s not these others.” It’s worth noting that Hulings identifies as a member of the minority. He also used to identify as a member of the Proud Boys.
On to council commentary for the emergency ordinance. Council Member Jonathan Bingle is in favor of the ordinance – he says that this came out of a conversation he and Council Member Paul Dillon had about how liquor stores opening near shelters is predatory.
He sees this as a different conversation from Prop 1 and “a good step for Spokane.” Bingle also says they’re capable of working on more than one issue at once.
Dillon said that there is a clear connection with alcohol related crimes because when there wasn’t an alcohol impact area, there was a 64% increase in alcohol-related crimes. And, because this is an interim ordinance, the community will have a chance to provide more feedback.
Bingle and Dillon want to see this ordinance go further and prevent off-premise alcohol sales near treatment services and shelters.
Wilkerson said she’s heard from a young man in her circle that these off-premise alcohol locations, like gas stations, are where “a lot of drugs are exchanged and sold … it is a magnet.” She wants to support community safety and pass this.
The ordinance passed unanimously.
6:23 Public Hearing
On to public hearings on land vacations. Mr. Brown, who advises the city on these issues, is offering some context. This doesn’t seem to be controversial at all. The owner of the land wants it vacated, the city approves. It’s near a railroad but the railroad offered no input.
It passed 7-0. Hearing is closed.
6:26: ORD C36670
Cathcart and Klitzke collaborated on this ordinance, which helps the city recoup costs of the services it provides. There was no commentary from the audience. Cathcart and Klitzke appreciate each other, they want common sense fee schedules and a stable budget.
The ordinance passed 7-0.
6:28 ORD C36667 , LGBTQIA2S+ protection ordinance
There was cheering at Nyne as the ordinance was announced. Wilkerson proposed cutting testimony time to 60 seconds because so many people signed up. Cathcart said they should keep it at three minutes because people prepared. Dillon and Klitzke want to compromise at two minutes.
That passed 5-2. Everyone will get two minutes to testify.
IC is up first. IC has lived in North Spokane his whole life. For most of his life he’s been able to go about his life and just “be a normal guy.” Normally, he keeps his identity as trans to himself, which he normally keeps to himself.
Every time the “trans bomb” is dropped, it changes how he’s seen, IC says. Now, he lives in extreme fear and he wants to live in a city where he knows the government supports him.
Abby is up, urging the city to support trans people. “I still love my city, unfortunately it seems sometimes the feeling isn’t mutual.” Abby has been met with ignorance and hate, moving through the world as a trans person.
“We’re your coworkers, your classmates your friends and your family and most of all we’re your neighbors just as we were yesterday and we will be tomorrow,” Abby said. “So please pass this ordinance to protect you neighbors.”
Ev is up now. Ev moved from the midwest and has experienced harassment. Ev just wants to focus on “raising our kid to be a good, kind person.” Passing this ordinance would show that the city believes in safety and rights of all people.
“We need you to know that we’re under attack and we need to know that you’ll do whatever you can to ensure our constitutional rights,” Ev said. The room here at Nyne clapped.
Rebecca Edwards is up now, asking council to vote yes on the ordinance. Two years ago, Rebecca’s family moved to Spokane from Idaho because her transgender son was refused life-saving medical care in Idaho. Here, Rebecca’s family has found dignity, protection and “a welcoming spirit.”
With the vandalism of the crosswalk, Bingle’s proposed amendments to this ordinance and increased threats from the federal government, Rebecca’s family is feeling more fear. This ordinance would be a way to give “real protections, real care and real safety for people just trying to live their lives.”
Kaya, from District 1, is urging council to vote yes. Kaya is speaking to people who disagree with queer people’s lifestyles: we are a country founded on agency, freedom and liberty, including those whose lifestyles you disagree with, as long as no one is getting hurt, Kaya said.
“When it comes to ordinance like this, we have to ask, what do we have to lose and what do we have to gain. Spokane has everything to gain from passing this ordinance,” Kaya said. There’s a pressure for queer people to leave for Seattle, but Spokane is home, and everyone deserves to feel safe to live here, Kaya said.
Erin C. is testifying now, and she finds it “wild” that adults think her son’s medical information is any of their business. Right now, all of her son’s peers are getting excited for college and her son has to think about whether the state the college is in is safe. The room here at Nyne seems moved.
“I hope to God that if somebody that you love comes out as trans or gay, that they are surrounded by the community and love that they deserve,” Erin said.
Dante is here in support of the ordinance. They received gender-affirming care here in Spokane and the first thought they had after waking up in the recovery room was “this feels so right.” Not living in physical and mental discomfort makes them a better community member, they said.
“Anyone who has known me over the years can attest to how dramatically my life has improved since one year ago,” Dante said. Gender-affirming care saves lives, but sometimes it’s “not that dramatic.” They served without gender-affirming care but they shouldn’t have to survive – they should be empowered to thrive.
Dr. Alfonso Olivia, a plastic and reconstruction surgeon is speaking. He’s getting boos: he says he swore an oath to do no harm and treating kids with hormones or surgeries is doing harm. Sounds like someone in the audience at City Hallis protesting because Wilkerson told them to sit down.
Sounds like there’s something happening in the audience. A point of order got called. There’s standing, coughing, foot-bouncing, Dillon said, which is elevating the tension in the room. He asked everyone to please take a breath so they can get through tonight and let people speak without interruption because that’s democracy.
The surgeon finished by saying all his comments were just about minors not adults. To clarify, his “special clinical interests” according to his website are: breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction and hand reconstruction
Emily, a healthcare worker and member of the community, is testifying. A friend of Emily’s said they were considering going back into the closet because they felt “unsupported and unsure about access to life-saving gender affirming care they need.”
John Alder is in favor of the ordinance. “We are all God’s children and we deserve nothing but love,” Alder said. He wants to see the whole city take this attitude and volunteer to help the community. “We’re here to stay,” he finished. Whooping and clapping here at Nyne.
Haller is back. He pointed out that the ordinance number had three 6’s in it which he finds “interesting.” He says there’s already laws against discrimination and he doesn’t care what adults do in the bedroom, but he’s a“left-handed red headed Pisces,” and he doesn’t harp on that .
“There’s males and there’s female and there’s everything else that’s confused and it’s really sad,” Haller said. People laughed. He blamed queerness on brainwashing from the school system and says he has two family members who were “indoctrinated” into “thinking they’re something they’re not” by the schools. “There’s two genders and that’s it.”
Jacqueline Swanson, from Spokane Valley, is here in support for ordinance “3666….7.” Comedic timing queen. She said she’s gotten reproductive care here and it’s allowed her to not just survive, but thrive. She said she’s not part of the queer community but everyone deserves to feel safes and protected and “live authentically.”
Dallas from Cheney is a “proud, gay HIV+ male” who was born and raised in District 1 and went to Rogers High School (where Bingle went). He is in full support of the ordinance because it protects people who are currently “under political and hate-filled attacks”
Time check, it’s 6:56 here and Dallas said, “If LGBTQIA scares you more than Nazis, you may want to sit with that.” He is grateful that this would create a shield law.
“Discrimination, harassment and hate are not core values that Spokane represents,” Dallas said. “What part of love thy neighbor is confusing?”
Shiva is a queer community member and is in support of the ordinance because it “would finally acknowledge indigenous identities.” Shiva also supports the aspect of the ordinance that keeps the city from collecting sex assigned at birth info and the provision ensuring gender-affirming healthcare for all.
Tim Stickney is testifying in “personal and private capacity.” Tim said that as people assert their freedom, they are told they’re perverse by people who “claim the benefit of biology without understanding the diversity of humanity.”
Tim said Pam Bondi called queer people an “infestation,” and the attacks from the federal government only highlight how much the city needs this ordinance.
Anita was born and raised here in Spokane and raised a son here. Anita provides legal support to marginalized people, including LGBTQ+ people, women, homeless people and survivors of domestic violence, and is in support of the ordinance. This ordinance would be align the city’s values with the state’s, Anita said.
“In these uncertain and divisive times, it is imperative that we stand united in support of our most vulnerable,” Anita said. “Spokane has the opportunity to lead by example and set a precedent.” Anita began to talk about raising a transgender son but ran out of time.
Cassandra, a retired marine and the VP of Spokane Pride, is getting cheers here from Nyne. Codifying support for the marginalized is critically important, Cassandra said, “because it allows people like me to get medical insurance that covers things like gender-affirming care, which the VA no longer will no longer provide.”
Cassandra said it’s fortunate that the majority of the council voted against Bingle’s “poison pill” amendments.
Jason S. wants to see council support queer people. Jason has alaways been a “passive supporter” but supporting queer people doesn’t work if people don’t show up and. “I’ve never stood up but it’s time I show up,” Jason said.
Jason is speaking for people who felt unsafe coming. To the queer ocmmunity, “you have morwe firends than you know and to those friends that they don’t know they hgad, it is really time for you to stand up.”
Jonathan Meyersberg is in support of these “crucial” protections because some in Spokane don’t want queer people to exist. “A Spokane without the 2SLGBTQIA community is a weaker Spokane,” Jonathan said. Only 1% of people regret gender-affirming care, Jonathan said, so why take that choice away.
Time check: 7:10.
Trans people are also concerned for the safety of women, Jonathan said. But queer peoples’ existence threatens no one. Bingle has lost Jonathan’s vote.
(I really have to pee.)
Gretchen is back. She doesn’t think Trumps EO’s actually fail to provide equal access to sports. Citing some made-up statistics, Gretchen says most of America agrees that transgender women shouldn’t be able to compete in women’s sports (she used different words.)
Gretchen said that Caitlyn Jenner agrees with her. (Caitlyn Jenner also hit a woman with her car.) Gretchen is citing UK supreme court decision. We tuned Gretchen out, sorry.
Stephanie, testifying from Nyne, is in support. “i want trans kids to have the opportunity to become trans adults. Hate doesn’t protect anyone. “Please please please vote yes.”
Cynthia Zapotocky is not a supporter of political segregation and she thinks that supporting queer people is segregation by calling LGTBQ+ people a “favored class.” “What does the plus even mean?” She also compared queerness to bestiality. Lots of boos and commentary from Nyne.
Anne Martin from Greater Spokane Progress is urging council to support the ordinance. Anne said the ordinance provides key support as “hate is present throughout the city.”
“We must do all we can to protect 2SLGTBQIA+ community members,” Anne said. She got cheers and a whoop.
Will Hulings is back. He is, shocker, against the ordinance because it’s actually about “hatred for President Donald J Trump.” People laughed here, Hulings said people were laughing behind him. Hulings says “nobody is special, especially someone who all they care about is who they sleep with or what their gender is.”
Hulings says the council is blinded by their hatred of Trump and their “obsession with the – I’m not even going to say it – LGBTQ cult and transgender ideology that they can’t even see the destruction they’re causing.”
“This guy is so funny,” someone said here.
Emily Fletcher, is testifying from here at Nyne. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes community feel like home and for me it’s knowing that I belong here and that my neighbors and I look out for each other.”
Emily says that this ordinance communicates that the city honors Two-Spirit identities and is committed to healthcare, reproductive care and HIV treatment. “It’s not just words, it creates real protections,” Emily said.
7:22
The ordinance “makes Spokane a community that protects each other, even if the federal government doesn’t,” Emily said.
Sunshine Wiggins said when she was homeless they used to bring in transgender people to the domestic violence shelter and that used to bother her, but then they brought in a trans person who was violently abused, and so she understands why transgender people need the shelter. Her daughter is married to a woman and she doesn’t think anybody “should ever be hurt for whatever they want to believe in.”
Sarah Cooper says trans friends and family make our community “a better place to live.” Sarah wants the council to support the queer community. “Ordinances like this make a real positive difference in the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals,” Sarah said, citing statistics from the Trevor Project that showed transgender teens in states with discriminatory laws were more likely to die by suicide.
“Spokane is an amazing community and I’m thankful to be here and a part of the trans community,” Sarah said. “We need to show up and give city level protections for the exceptional individuals and families who live here.”
Taylor Dickerson, a grad student from EWU and member of the community is “proud to live in Spokane, a city that values freedom, community and dignity for all.”
“Both my eduction and my lived experience tell me the same truth: access to affirming healthcare saves lives,” Taylor said. “My friends, coworkers, classmates, and clients all rely on access to reproductive and gender-affirming care.”
Colton Gerard said people see him as just another straight guy, but he is a gay man who was assigned female at birth. Today, he stands before council “seven years sober and in the best health of my ligfe surrounded by a community that loves me.” Gender-affirming care saved his life, made him a better community member, and empowered him in his career.
“The queer agenda stands for the ability for queer childrento grow into happy healthy queer adults,” Colton said. He wants to see the council support basic human rights, and “to vote like you want to save lives.”
Christian Alcott, a 52-year old transplant to District 2, wants the city to know that “I’m not now or have ever been confused.” Christian, who transitioned at the age of 46, moved back to Spokane because he loved it so much when he lived here the first time. “I just wish that I was half as bold and brave as the youth that I see on a daily basis here in Spokane.”
Christian is an Army veteran who was failed in high school by a homophobic teacher who failed him for writing a paper on “Homosexuality and Mass Media.” He’s spent nearly 30 years working in the mental health field with adults and queer youth. He ran out of time.
Robin Wood, from District 2, is a mother, a grandmother, and “an advocate for the LGBTQ community.” Robin has been marching in Pride since 1922 and it “tok real courage in those days to support the community publicly.”
These days, it’s taking bravery again, Robin said, because we’re “becoming a Christofascist nation.” We have to protect trans people and prevent them from being outed without their consent, Robin said. Robin is thrilled to see Two-Spirit people be added to the city code.
Jeff DeBray, Eastern WA director of Fuse WA, is here representing 6k people in Spokane. “I’m calling in today from Nyne BAr and Bistro joined by dozens of queer community members and allies who believe in a Spokane where we all belong,” Jeff said.
This ordinance is about people. “Real people in Spokane who you love and who have elected you to represent them.” The laws we pass and the messages we send matter, as we see increased rates of death by suicide and homelessness in LGBTQ+ youth, Jeff said.
Jeff isn’t just here as a member of Fuse, he’s also here as a queer person. He came out in Spokane in 2022, and since coming out, he’s gained so much and his life is so much better. He ran out of time.
Sky, a 13 year old demigirl who falls under the transgender umbrella, came out in 2022. “I felt safe here,” Sky said. “Please vote to give people a sense of safety so they don’t have the fear of losing their rights as human beings.”
Joshua Awesome is reading a poem about how children deserve to run free and play without fitting into rigid lines.
Justin, who lives in District 2, moved to Spokane to attend Whitworth and raise a family. “No community is perfect but my family and I call Spokane home,” Justin said. “It breaks my heart that right now across our country and in this community many transgender and other queer people don’t feel safe and don’t feel welcome where they live.”
Justin says trans people deserve the right to exist free from violence and harassment. “I believe Spokane is willing to stand up for our trans neighbors,” Justin wants every trans kid in the city to feel safe and wants everyone to support queer families.
Lis Moore from PJALS is in support of the ordinance. It should be easy and simple to support this “in the name of freedom,” Moore said. Queer people have always modeled freedom and liberation, Moore said, listing Two-Spirit people and trans icons like Marsha P Gender.
Z, who moved to Spokane in 2005, originally thought the ordinance was redundant but as the federal government perpetuates a sea of “legislated fearmongering and discrimination,” this ordinance is necessary.
“I ask that you affirm this community is welcome,” Z said. “I want to continue being a happy and supported part of this city,”
Dream thanked the council members who brought this ordinance forward. When Dream saw Olivia’s written comments included in the agenda, they thought, “what the fuck.” Wilkerson said she would not tolerate profanity.
Dream continued by stating that regardless of gender identity, it’s illegal to assault people in the bathroom, and actually, trans women are more likely to be assaulted in the bathrooms.
KJ said “we are watching this country shift fast and dangerously.” Over 850 anti 2SLGBTQIA+ bills have been filed across the country, KJ said. This ordinance will protect people “when others will not,” KJ said. “It says, we will not be silent.”
“This moment is about more than changing words on paper,” KJ said. “It’s about standing up and declaring that 2SLGBTQIA+ people are not expendable, that our lives are not bargaining chips that Spokane will not be a city that turns it’s back on us when we need it most.”
Evee, an indigenous gender-nonconfirming queer community member is in support of the ordinance. “We’re seeing how these national policies have a real impact locally as well.”
Evee wants to see the city government prepare and put protections in place that “provide safety and freedom for all of our community members, in particular our LGBTQ community members that are currently under attack.”
7:56. Jacob Schwartz, from District 1, is testifying from Nyne. Jacob is a proud, gay Christian. Jacob is in support of the ordinance because he wants to see transgender kids “grow into adults.”
Jacob is highlighting queer people from history: Alan Turing, who was persecuted by the state. (He talked really fast and I missed the rest of the list) but he said without his queer community and allies, he “wouldn’t be alive today.”
“My younger self needed you, our youth needs you now, and we are here to stay,” Jacob finished.
Hayley Olson, a bisexual woman, is tesitfying from Nyne. Hayley has a condition that would make pregnancy “a death sentence” was refused a hysterectomy. “Now imagine if a cis gender woman like me had this much trouble with reproductive healthcare, how hard must it be for people who are trans?” Hayley said.
“There is no liber-T or uni-T without trans rights,” Hayley finished.
Courtney Anderson is testifying from Nyne in support of the ordinance. “Elon Musk has receive gender affirming care,” Anderson said, citing photos that show Musk has received hair plugs and jaw reconstruction. “Gender affirming care also includes IVF and other assistance.”
Anderson was born with cancer and the treatment that resulted in survival also made parts of her body that control her hormones not work properly, so she has to take hormones. That is also gender affirming care, she said.
Anderson also has to take progesterone to ensure she doesn’t get another cancer diagnosis, which is also gender-affirming care. Society’s “narrow focus” on gender-affirming care limits access to care, she said, preventing people from living in dignity. The room exploded.
Heather wants to see Spokane become a Shield City for queer people. “I’m worried about everyone but I’m most worried about the children in this community,” Heather said, as children are being denied identity markers that match their genders.
Heather wants to see Spokane be a shelter for queer people and specifically queer youth. “I’m encouraged to hear so many people tonight also share that sentiment.”
Jamie is also in support of the ordinance, pointing to the city’s motto. Jamie says “Spokane is a city that genuinely cares for its citizens and works to keep all safe.” By protecting queer peoples’ data about their sex assigned at birth, by protecting access to healthcare, by creating a framework for the police to work with the queer community, everyone would benefit.
Andrea, testifying from here at Nyne, says it’s a shame that an ordinance like this is necessary, but it is. Andrea wants to see them vote yes.
Dr. Pam Kohlmeier, who ran for office this year, is an emergency physician. She’s in strong support of this ordinance, and she lost her transgender, nonbinary child to suicide a few years ago. “Gender-affirming care saves lives. Privacy of their medical records saves lives,” Pam said. “If we can’t save lives, what quality of life do we have?” She asked that the council pass the ordinance unanimously.
Race Broom has been queer and lived in Spokane their whole life. The ordinance is about giving queer people the “same common decency as cis and heterosexual people,” they said. “Just remember when you vote, kids lives are at stake. To my community, stay loud, stay proud.”
Alexander, who spoke for the very first time last week in support of the ordinance, is speaking now to address the opposition who fear kids will regret transitioning. Alexander said that surveys have found a very low percentage of people regret transition. Gender affirming surgery has a much, much lower regret rate than knee replacement surgery.
“You are 20 times more likely to regret getting your knee replaced than a trans person is to get a double mastectomy,” Alexander said. “I am trans. I love my quiet, beautifully mundane life.” Alexander wants to see everyone have access to what Alexander has.
Emi Schwartz, from district 2, is proud that her council members are in support of this ordinance. “Your job is to represent the ideals and values of Spokanites and Spokanites have shown up tonight to tell you what our values and ideals are,” Emi said.
Carol is back to testify against the ordinance. “It is 0.5% of the population that identifies as transgender,” Carol said. She’s more worried about “the female population of Spokane.” She’s getting boos here.
“The trans people who testified tonight talk about wanting to feel safe,” Carol said. “So do women.” She wants the city to stop supporting transgender women so that we don’t lose federal funds, and talked about DEI. Not giving Carol any more direct quotes.
It’s 8:16 and public testimony is over.
Council testimony. Dillon up first. He thanked the intern that helped draft the ordinance and the constituents and organizations who helped guide the ordinance – Spectrum Center, Odyssey Youth, Spokane Pride, INBA, Trans Spokane and many more.
Dillon said it’s long overdue to update the Human Rights code of the city and to mirror the state’s shield law so “it’s there for future councils and future mayors.”
“I believe that a world without trans people has ever existed and it never will. That’s the bottom line in really wanting to get this moving forward,” Dillon said. “This ordinance is really about joy it’s about our commitment in affirmation to being a safe and welcoming city,”
Dillon wants to reiterate that “love will always win.”
They actually missed one person who was signed up to testify online. The council is letting Wyatt speak. Wyatt is engaged and wants to only use local businesses for their wedding. Wyatt works downtown, spends time with friends downtown, and feels safe downtown, but they’ve been called slurs at work by people who have been emboldened by federal politics.
“I think this is an incredible city and this ordinance will show people that hate is not welcome here,” Wyatt said. “When I came out as transgender I lost my family, my mom, my dad, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins and every friend I ever knew but it’s been worth it because I found community here in Spokane.”
8:22. Back to council commentary. CM Kitty Klitzke wanted to thank everyone for the excellent testimony and for bringing humanity to the issue. “Freedom, prviacye, bodily autonomy, medical privacy saves lives. This needs to catch on in institutions, corporations, insurance companies and all over.”
CM Lili Navarrete said it’s important to ensure Christian nationalist can’t “use our country’s laws to impose their narrow beliefs on others.” The federal government is discriminating in the name of religion, she said, erasing the stories of Navajo Code talkers, painting over the DC Black Lives Matter mural and detaining people with no due process.
“Are we not the land of the free?” Navarrete said. “Ask yourselves, are we really the land of the free? Those not affected yet by fascist ruling that’s happening right now. Just wait.”
Navarrete is proud to vote yes on the ordinance. “I will always take justice for all and i will not see anyone’s identity be erased,” she said. Huge applause here at Nyne.
Bingle said he has cards at council so that anyone can go get coffee with him. He thinks people misunderstand his position on the issue. He’s trying to explain his amendments and he thinks taxpayer dollars shouldn’t go to gender affirming care. He says he’s cool with “live and let live.”
Bingle says he believes in trans peoples’ existence because “he has lived his entire life trying to stand up for the broken, the marginalized and those who don’t have a vote.” However, he’s going to vote against the ordinance.
Zappone thanked everyone was brave enough to come out and testify. I missed a a lot of his testimony because the crowd is lively here.
Wilkerson said she is currently caring for someone going through gender-affirming care and she hopes that other employers support it. People are talking in chambers/interrupting her. She said she doesn’t interrupt anyone. “If you would let me finish, I will be voting for this, but I just have financial reservations for the impact of our city.”
The ordinance passed 5-2 with Cathcart and Bingle and voting no. Applause in the room. And we’re leaving the meeting. Cheer around the room.
Jacob Schwartz is at the mic, “I want to remind everyone that we are here to stay!”
Time to stay and celebrate! I’m not live documenting this, going to enjoy the community vibes. Signing off, ES.
