Letter to the Editor: Ballot initiatives I-001 and I-638 are not good for our children

To the Editor:

I was deeply relieved to read that our city council passed a resolution opposing two harmful ballot initiatives, I-001 and I-638. It speaks volumes that the resolution passed unanimously — it’s clear to many Washingtonians that these measures are not good for our children.

As a physician, I’m outraged by I-638. This initiative targets trans girls, but will impact all girls. I-638 would require all girls who want to participate in school sports to medically verify their sex, defined as a physical “reproductive organ exam,” or costly genetic or hormone testing. This means many elementary, middle, and high school-aged girls could be forced to undergo invasive genital exams, just so they can play on a team.

I’m one among a hundred Washington medical professionals who’ve issued a statement opposing I-638 because it would be harmful for young girls. Major medical organizations, including the AAFP and the AAP, do not recommend genital exams for girls as a part of sports physicals.

Initiative 001 would force schools to hand over sensitive information about child abuse victims to their parental abusers. This put children at a greater risk of violence at home, and discourages students dealing with sexual abuse from seeking help at school. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, I would not have felt safe speaking to school counselors if I-001 was in place when I was young. Our students deserve safe spaces to get support.

These two initiatives will cause harm, are based in harmful far-right ideology, and do not have a place in WA state law. Voters can join me and Shoreline City Council by rejecting both measures this November.

Caitlin Blau, DO, 

Shoreline