SPOKANE, Wash. – Spectrum Center is a Spokane LGBTQ+ organization which advocates for the Lilac City’s queer community. The 2024 legislative session kept the center busy.
One of Spectrum’s top legislative priorities was passing the Keep Our Care Act, which would limit mergers between secular and religious hospitals.
Director of Advocacy and Engagement KJ January explained that the policy, which is currently sitting in the House Rules Committee, was a priority for Spectrum due to the potential for public-private healthcare mergers to limit access to gender affirming care.
“We think the conversations around the consolidation of healthcare systems significantly increased awareness surrounding a huge issue facing Washington communities and will result in more advocacy/organizing around protecting end of life, reproductive, and gender affirming care,” Spectrum said.
Healthcare is a consistent advocacy area for Spectrum, which opposed two bills limiting gender affirming care access for minors. Both of those aforementioned policies died without much fanfare early in the session.
In addition to health issues, Spectrum was a key actor in the passage of SB 5917, which will classify defacing murals with the intent of threatening a protected group as a hate crime if it is signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee (D).
“This kind of vandalism tells community members that they aren’t safe and are unwelcome in their neighborhoods and cities. It sends the message that we should get out of town, or go into hiding,” Spectrum said.
January testified in support of the bill in public testimony, and it has now cleared both chambers of the legislature.
“This is a huge win for BIPOC & 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, given the disproportionate amount of hate our murals, displays, and other public representations have received historically, and how that hate negatively impacts our lives in a multitude of ways,” the center said.
March 7 is the last day allowed for regular session this year, meaning that the legislature will finish off the frantic process of getting bills past the finish line next week. After that, Spectrum will focus on the 2024 election and reducing youth homelessness, which disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ+ community.
These efforts will include prioritizing policy items which directly pertain to queer people in the Evergreen State rather than approaching all issues of public interest.
“We intend to get more active on local legislation by challenging the status quo and being more active with local school boards,” Spectrum said.
With the business of the legislative biennium coming to a close, the center is happy with how the past several months shaped out for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Generally, this session was a success,” Spectrum said.
Spectrum Center is politically active throughout the year and also offers various community resources including a Gender Affirming Products Program.
