Our Work in Olympia
Since 2012, our sister organization Gender Justice League has built one of Washington State's most effective trans advocacy operations — winning 32+ legislative victories, defeating 23+ anti-trans bills, and putting our community's voices directly in front of the lawmakers who shape our laws.
Current Work
The 2026 session closed with key privacy wins for our community — and with two dangerous anti-trans ballot initiatives headed to November. Our work in Olympia is done. Now the real fight begins.
Two anti-trans ballot initiatives qualified for the November 2026 ballot. IL26-001 would strip harassment protections and student privacy rights for LGBTQ+ youth. IL26-638 would ban transgender girls from school sports and mandate invasive "medical sex verification" exams for all girls 11+ who want to play sports.
GJL committed $100,000 to defeat both initiatives and co-leads the No Hate in Washington State coalition alongside ACLU of WA, GSBA, SEIU 775, and UFCW 3000.
Learn about the campaign →Landmark Laws
These are the laws our coalition won that no other state had passed. Every one of them started with our community showing up in Olympia.
The first law in the country prohibiting health insurance discrimination based on gender identity and mandating coverage of medically necessary gender-affirming care under Medicaid. Effective January 1, 2022.
The nation's first health data privacy law extending beyond HIPAA. Prohibits collection and sharing of consumer health data without consent; bans geofencing near healthcare facilities. Protects people seeking gender-affirming care from surveillance.
The first law in the nation strengthening school safety protections specifically for transgender, neurodivergent, undocumented, and unhoused students. Eliminates discrimination based on gender expression in schools; protects student medical and counseling record privacy.
The first state law in the country mandating health insurance plans reimburse for a 12-month supply of prescription hormone therapy at one time — reducing barriers to consistent hormone access for transgender patients.
Abolishes the "gay/trans panic defense" in Washington State — making clear that learning a person's gender identity or sexual orientation can never justify physical assault. Washington became the 10th state to ban this defense. Named for Nikki Kuhnhausen, a 17-year-old transgender girl murdered in Vancouver, WA in 2019.
Protects patients and providers of gender-affirming care and abortion from prosecution, civil actions, and extradition by other states. Prohibits Washington legal authorities from cooperating with out-of-state subpoenas or warrants targeting protected healthcare. Signed with emergency clause.
Our Record
From the first health insurance battles in 2014 to defeating two statewide ballot initiatives — this is what sustained, community-powered legislative advocacy looks like.
Our Priorities
Every legislative session, GJLA advocates for bills that protect and expand the rights, safety, and dignity of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse Washingtonians.
Our lobbyists and community advocates work directly with legislators, testify before committees, and build the relationships that turn community power into lasting law.
Track Record
32+
State Legislature Victories Since 2014
Six of those victories were firsts in the nation. In addition, GJL and our coalition have defeated more than 23 anti-trans bills, including 8 during the first Trump presidency and 8 more in 2025 alone.
Now: Defending the Ballot
Two anti-trans ballot initiatives qualified for November 2026. Every legislative gain we've fought for over 14 years is at risk. We are building the campaign to defeat both.
No Hate in WA State →Our Approach
Effective advocacy is more than showing up — it is building the infrastructure of relationships, testimony, and coalition power that makes lasting change possible.
Our professional lobbyists maintain year-round relationships with state legislators — building the trust that makes our community's priorities impossible to ignore when a bill hits the floor.
We mobilize community members to testify before legislative committees, putting real stories and real faces in front of the lawmakers who write and amend our laws. The Nikki Kuhnhausen Act passed 90–5 after community testimony moved lawmakers across the aisle.
We unite civil rights organizations, healthcare providers, faith communities, labor unions, and business leaders into a unified legislative voice. In 2016, we organized 134+ organizations through the Washington Safe Alliance to defeat 6 anti-trans bills in a single session.
We monitor every bill that affects our community — supporting protections, opposing threats, and preparing our coalition to respond at every critical moment in the session. In 2025, we caught and killed 8 anti-trans bills before they reached a floor vote.
Annual Event
Every session, we bring community members to Olympia for Trans Advocacy Day — a day of direct legislative meetings, testimony, and organizing at the Capitol.
What started as 80 people in 2020 has grown to more than 400 participants in 2026. Participants receive training, talking points, and direct introductions to their legislators. No experience needed — just a willingness to show up and be seen.
Trans Advocacy Day is one of the most powerful things our community does. When legislators look into the eyes of the people they represent and hear their stories, it changes votes.
Find Upcoming EventsShow
Up.
Trans Advocacy Day · Olympia, WA
80 people in 2020.
400+ in 2026.
Every year. Every session.
Every session, we remind legislators that transgender Washingtonians are their constituents — neighbors, parents, workers, taxpayers — and that their votes have real consequences for real people.Danni Askini — Executive Director & Founder, Gender Justice League · Chair, Gender Justice League Action
Get Involved
Tell your state representatives to stand with transgender Washingtonians — today, every session, and in November 2026.
Take Action →Come to Olympia. Meet your legislators face to face. Tell your story. This is the most powerful advocacy tool we have.
Find Events →Two anti-trans initiatives are on the November 2026 ballot. Sign the pledge and help us build the coalition to defeat them.
Learn More →Fuel our legislative operation and ballot initiative defense. Every dollar supports lobbyists, organizers, and the fight in Olympia.
Donate →