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Vote NO IL26-638

Washingtonians respect and care for each other. We may not always agree, but we work together to protect our children from violence, hate, and harassment. Now a MAGA mega-donor is bankrolling two poorly written initiatives put girls at greater risk of harm (IL26-638).

Subjecting Girls To Invasive Genital Exams To Play Sports (IL26-638)

Young girl in pink sportswear playing soccer with a pink ball on a grassy field.

Nurses and doctors say IL26-638 will subject girls to invasive, medically unnecessary, and potentially harmful genital exams to verify their sex for sports’ physicals. We all want to protect girls, but IL26-638 discriminates against girls and puts them at risk of harm.

IL26-638 could force invasive genital exams on girls of any age just to play sports at any level

  • IL26-638 changes the law to require medical sex certification as part of sports physicals for all girls, and bans parents from using birth certificates instead. 

  • It could force tens of thousands of Washington girls each year to undergo invasive, embarrassing, and potentially harmful genital exams just to play sports.

  • Free student sports physicals often occur in group settings in gyms, so this invasive exam requirement could subject girls to greater embarrassment and harm. Right now students stay fully clothed during sports physicals, but this could change for girls. 

IL26-638 is the most extreme MAGA measure of its kind in the country and discriminates against girls

  • This is the most extreme MAGA measure of its kind in the country because it targets girls with invasive genital exams to medically certify their sex.

  • Boys are completely exempt from this requirement – only girls will be subjected to the medical sex certification and genital exams - putting another barrier between girls and sports.

  • All girls will be discouraged from playing sports under IL26-001 because they will be subjected to invasive, embarrassing genital exams. Girls will miss out on the many benefits of playing sports, as well as learning about teamwork and cooperation.