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WA attorney general hires outside law firm to defend Initiative 638
The Seattle Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is appointing the law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner to defend Initiative 638, a voter-approved ban on transgender girls participating in K-12 girls sports.
- The initiative, approved by 56% of voters, is currently being challenged in King County Superior Court by Legal Voice, ACLU Washington, and Pacifica Law Group on grounds of discrimination and privacy violations.
- Brown emphasized that defending voter-approved laws is a key duty of his office, despite his personal views and ongoing efforts to protect transgender rights in other areas.
- The lawsuit argues that Initiative 638 discriminates against all girls by requiring sex verification only for girls' sports and excludes transgender girls, while the initiative's supporters claim it protects girls' sports and spaces.
- Brown stated that appointing an outside firm allows his office to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain focus on other transgender rights cases, ensuring a vigorous defense of the initiative.
