Former state representative and House Speaker Frank Chopp passed away on March 22 at the age of 71. Bremerton-born and bred, Chopp dedicated his life to supporting vulnerable Washingtonians through key legislation that promoted housing, expanded healthcare services, and uplifted the LGBTQIA+ community through his unwavering allyship.

Chopp experienced cardiac arrest, and the Seattle Fire Department and EMS services worked to revive him. Chopp was transferred to Swedish Cherry Hill's emergency department, where staff helped his family say their goodbyes and transitioned him off life support, according to his family.

In a public statement, Chopp's family said:

"His intellectual curiosity was as boundless as his energy. He woke up every day with a passion to solve problems and make people's lives better.

"Frank believed his role as speaker was to serve 'One Washington.' He listened to people all over our state describe problems and focused on creative and doable solutions. His approach often included identifying a dedicated funding source that would make sense to taxpayers and a memorable program name like 'Apple Health for Kids.' He would then work to bring people together for sustainable change. He inspired, conspired, and cajoled, as needed, to help people see the possibility of a positive impact.

"Frank was a transformational figure in our state's political landscape. He was a champion for a wide range of issues that matter to Washingtonians, including affordable childcare, housing, mental health, and health care. He changed the trajectory for home care workers, employees needing paid family leave, and students seeking job training and higher education.

"He deeply loved many people he worked with, mentored, and built lifelong friendships with, which brought us a large extended family. We appreciate their kind words and shared remembrances in this difficult time."

Fighting for Queer rights
In the earlier days of his career, Chopp became the executive director of the Fremont Public Association (later known as Solid Ground), a nonprofit housing, paratransit, and human services organization. Elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 1994, Chopp rose to co-speaker of the House in 1999. Two years later, Chopp became the House speaker, a position he retained until 2019, then went on to serve two additional terms, officially retiring from 30 years of public service this past January.

"As Speaker of the House, Frank Chopp was deeply involved in every major advance for LGBTQ+ people in Washington over the last 20 years," Sen. Jamie Pedersen told the SGN. "Without his support, we would not have won Trans inclusive antidiscrimination, antibullying, and hate crimes protections; marriage equality; or equal parentage rights. His work ensured that Washington became and remains a safe place for our whole community, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his passionate support of our rights."

Back when he was working at the Fremont Public Association, Chopp operated and sponsored the AIDS Home Care Project, through which he helped hundreds of people living with AIDS in King County. The organization launched Home Care services in 1979, to assist low-income adults and seniors living with disabilities to safely live in their homes. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Home Care expanded to serve those living with AIDS during the prime of the epidemic — when an AIDS diagnosis was a death sentence. Chopp's Home Care services ultimately led to tens of millions of dollars in state funding per year.

On the opening day of the 2012 legislative session, Chopp advocated for a same-sex marriage law, which came into effect on December 6 that year. At the time, only a handful of states had marriage equality.

In 2018, Chopp endorsed legislation to ban "conversion therapy," which banned efforts to alter Queer people's sexual orientations and gender identities. This dangerous practice is sometimes promoted by far right-wing religious groups, and most major medical and mental health organizations in the country have issued statements condemning it, as it can lead to depression, anxiety, substance use, homelessness, and suicide.

That year, Chopp also pushed the Reproductive Parity Act, which requires health insurance companies to cover reproductive healthcare and maternity services, even if an employer objects to providing these services.

In 2019, Chopp supported Senate Bill 5689, which was aimed at preventing bullying of Transgender public school students, and also created the first LGBTQ State Commission.

In his leadership role, Chopp supported legislation that banned LGBTQ+ discrimination by healthcare plans. Because of this law, health insurers cannot deny treatment coverage for Transgender patients if the same treatments are covered for cisgender policyholders. In 2020, Chopp supported a bill to force public schools to educate students about consent, contraception, and LGBTQ+ issues.

"In his two decades as Speaker of the House, he worked tirelessly to get good policies passed, and the list of legislative accomplishments during his tenure is enormous," said House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma). "I feel incredibly fortunate to have served under his leadership and am forever inspired by his dedication to the work of the People's House. All who knew him are reeling from the news of his loss."

Chopp's family is planning a celebration of life in May, and instead of flowers, they suggest donating to the Low Income Housing Institute, Life Support, El Centro de la Raza, and Open Doors for Multicultural Families.