Resolution 1634 Opposing Initiative 638
At a glance
Based on auto-generated captions; names, numbers and details may be misheard.
- What: Resolution No. 1634 (AM 26-158) opposes Initiative 638, the November 2026 statewide measure on K-12 girls' athletics that would require verification of biological sex through health care providers.
- Where it stands: adopted 7-0 on roll call on 2026-10-20, after an amendment adding a reference to the council's earlier resolution supporting the transgender community (captioned "Resolution 605").
- Next: council leadership suggested a 2027 briefing on when and how to use this tool and a pre-scheduled talk on 2027 ballot measures.
Public testimony
- Six people were signed up; all spoke in favor of the resolution, including Anne Bo for Indivisible East Side, Jennifer Gumas, Devon Kellogg (reading a Washington State PTA statement) and local residents, several of them transgender.
- Themes: the measure's verification requirement was described as invasive and costly, as burdening girls but not boys, and as harmful to transgender students; speakers noted other city councils had adopted similar resolutions.
Council discussion
- Councilmember Forsythe sponsored the resolution and offered the amendment.
- Council Vice President Nuevacamina, Councilmember Kritzer, Councilmember Parsi, Councilmember Prakriya and Councilmember Soni said they would vote yes; Nuevacamina and Kritzer spoke from personal experience as parents.
- Council President Stewart voted yes but criticized the process: the resolution had no draft, no legal review, no usual three-touch deliberation and no communications support, and was added after voting had begun. She asked for a 2027 briefing; Prakriya supported it. Kritzer said the council is within its rights to take it up this way while agreeing the norms process is preferable.
- The meeting was extended to 11:00 p.m. to reach this item.
- Earlier in the meeting the chair reminded the public that comment supporting or opposing ballot measures is only allowed on these resolutions' agenda items.
Sources
Discussion time
About 42 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 - City Council Business Meeting | 35 |
| 2026-10-13 - City Council Study Session | 7 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - City Council Study Session — Council talk time (discussed together with Initiative 001): Forsythe asked for support to bring forward resolutions opposing Initiatives 001 and 638; the council president noted the public hearing, notice and legal review requirements and agreed to try; later adopted October 20.
- 2026-10-20 - City Council Business Meeting — Resolution adopted 7-0 as amended; process concerns raised by the council president.