The Metropolitan Council of King County, Washington added gender identity to its anti-discrimination laws last night. The 5-4 vote was drawn along partisan lines. It should be noted that Washington State passed an anti-discrimination law on January 27, 2006 that includes gender identity, so this measure simply reiterates the state-wide protection. Immediately after the passage of the state-wide measure, however, a referendum and an initiative were filed to overturn it. That measure is due to be voted on this fall. If it passes, then there will be no more state-wide protection, and the King County law will be of primary importance.
King County includes Seattle, which already has a similar measure, and outlying suburbs which play host to Boeing.
