What is a mental health provider’s take on I-001?

Jax Wokas, MSW, LSWAIC, Seattle

As a mental health provider, I’m worried harmful measure I-001 will threaten student safety and drastically weaken student privacy — something I’ve personally experienced the impacts of.

When I was a trans kid in a state without school record protections at the time, I was outed to my family as well as other students’ families by my school’s staff. This was done under the guise of keeping other students “safe” and “helping” me. All it did was make me incredibly unsafe. I-001 would subject many kids to the same traumatic experience by forcing schools to out LGBTQ+ students to unsupportive parents. I was lucky that my family came around, but many of my friends were not and died as a result of their forced outing. I-001 breeds this lack of safety, and will lead to homelessness or violence at home for many trans and queer youth.

Imagine how many kids will no longer feel safe seeking support from trusted counselors or being themselves at school. Think of those kids when your ballot arrives and vote No on I-001.