The Seattle City Council approved an ordinance that reaffirms Seattle as a safe and welcoming place for residents, workers, and visitors, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, those seeking health services, immigrants, refugees, and other historically marginalized communities. It also reaffirms Seattle's dedication to supporting gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare access.

Ashley Ford, co-chair of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, said this ordinance makes Washington state's Shield Law enforceable at the city level and prevents city employees, including law enforcement officers and social service workers, from cooperating with other state governments that attempt to penalize gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare in the city.

"We aren't backing down to federal threats," Ford said.

Charlotte Kayne-Amoureux of the 43rd District Democrats said it is crucial that the city does all it can to protect Queer and Trans people from the "illegal and unconstitutional" attacks taking place at both state and federal levels, like forcing Trans youth off of puberty blockers.

"The federal government is engaged in systemic erasure of Trans people," said Kayne-Amoureux. "A world without Trans people has never existed. We will always exist no matter what."

Amendments
Councilmember Cathy Moore (Dist. 5) requested an amendment, which was unanimously passed by the council. Amendment A defined the term "assistance" — which is present in both the ordinance and state law — to be "any action to help, aid, or support the provision of receipt of protected health services, including, but not limited to, providing financial, logistical, informational, or travel support to facilitate access to protected health services."

Amendment A also specifies that agents of city commissions, boards, agencies, and departments are barred from cooperating with other governments that attempt to obtain information regarding a person's protected healthcare services.

Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Dist. 8) brought forth Amendment B, which would have added a trigger provision putting the ordinance into effect only in the case that the Washington Shield Law is repealed. She said if another state or the federal government wants to fight them over shield laws, it would be up to the Attorney General's Office, the strongest in the state, instead of city lawyers.

Rinck's amendment received the endorsement of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, yet other councilmembers had concerns. Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (Dist. 3) brought up how the city shield law has additional and expanded protections compared to the state's, and that adding a trigger amendment would not remove the Attorney General Office's obligation to enforce laws.

"We are a target already as a sanctuary city as well, and it's not new for our city to regularly codify state law so we can locally enforce provisions," Councilmember Hollingsworth said.

Amendment B failed to pass by a 7-2 vote.

Councilmember Mark Solomon (Dist. 2) brought forth Amendment C, which states that the city's intent is to stay up-to-date with possible alterations to Washington's Shield Law, and ensures that the city council can respond to any changes in a timely manner to so Seattle residents and visitors are safe.

"This is the right thing to do," said Councilmember Maritza Rivera (4). "I know on this bill, we all agree on the need to bring it at this time."

Amendment C was unanimously adopted.

The council then unanimously approved CB 120950, designating Seattle as a sanctuary city for all, including the LGBTQIA+ community.