The Metropolitan King County Council today joined the state of Washington in protecting the rights of sexual minorities by amending the definition of sexual orientation in the King County Code to include gender identity similar to protections granted by the Washington state Legislature in January.

“The passage of this ordinance is a victory for all people living in King County, because it recognizes that ‘equal treatment under the law’ is a basic right for every citizen,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “The right to find work or housing without fear of discrimination is not ‘special treatment;’ it’s a human right.”

“The County Council can't eliminate bigotry; that is a matter for the individual human mind and heart. But we can and will ban discrimination,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine. “This ordinance means the rights of sexual minorities in King County are protected, regardless of what happens throughout the rest of the state.”

“We are affirming rights that many of us take for granted,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “Today’s action recognizes that to be a truly just community, not one of us can be singled out and denied basic rights.”

The council has been working on this legislation since 2004, when it held a public hearing on a similar measure co-sponsored by Councilmembers Constantine, Phillips, Ferguson and Gossett.

“It is with the passage of laws like this that we live up to the ideals of the man after which this county is named,” said Council Vice Chair Larry Gossett. “The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in a society that was inclusive, not exclusive. Today we are one step closer to becoming that society.”

“People shouldn’t be without jobs or homes because of their gender identity,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson. “From this day forward, residents of King County will no longer have to fear losing their paychecks or the roof over their heads to discrimination.”

The ordinance standardizes rules applying to cases of discrimination filed under each of the four civil rights areas covered by the King County Code: employment, public accommodations, housing and contracting. Businesses and citizens will now have a standard set of rules and penalties that are easier to follow than current county code that varies by type of discrimination. All complainants will be able to take their cases directly to court without first pursuing a county civil rights complaint, and the county Office of Civil Rights would be granted subpoena powers in all such cases.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
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