Dear friends of Just Want Privacy,

Yesterday, we appeared before a judge at the Thurston County Superior Court to ask for the removal of biased language from the ballot title and concise description that was assigned by the Attorney General’s office.

Unfortunately, by the time the hearing was concluded, the final language was made worse. At the request of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the judge agreed to include in the concise description that the initiative “allow student lawsuits against schools.”

This is what the court ordered to be included on the ballot:

Statement of the Subject: Initiative Measure 1505 concerns gender-segregated facilities and civil liability.

Concise Description: This measure would repeal protections against gender-identity discrimination in certain public-accommodation facilities, require that public schools restrict use of specific facilities based on anatomical or chromosomal sex, and allow student lawsuits against schools. 

While we are disappointed at the prospect that the description of the ballot title that would be included on the official ballot would be a recitation of the talking points from those opposed to the initiative, we are determined to move forward and give voters the chance to protect privacy on the ballot.

We filed an additional initiative which is different but accomplishes the same purposes. It was written in an attempt to get a less prejudicial ballot title. We are currently consulting with the best advisers we know from around the country to decide if we should simply move forward with this unfortunate language or delay in the hopes of getting fair language with the next initiative.

We are very aware of the fact that time is critical. Regardless of when we start gathering signatures, they are due by July 8th. The good news is that public opinion is still strongly on our side on this issue.

These are challenges, but they are by no means insurmountable. But the unfortunate delays will underscore the need for all of us to do everything we can to make sure this qualifies for the ballot. You can:

• sign up to be a volunteer
• sign up to host a regional petition center
• support this effort financially The more delay that we experience, the greater the need for paid signature gathering becomes. Please make a contribution today of any size to help this effort.

Thank you so much for your support and interest in this issue. We greatly appreciate your patience as we do everything we can to move wisely and quickly.

Gratefully,

Joseph Backholm
Chairman, Just Want Privacy Campaign
www.JustWantPrivacy.org