Seattle King County League says I-638 is likely unconstitutional
League of Women Voters of Seattle King CountyCivic organization, letter by Janet Lenart and Phillippa Kassover
League representatives sign a letter urging a no vote on three initiatives, including I-638. Their I-638 argument is that requiring doctors to certify girl athletes' sex, without a similar requirement for boy athletes, violates privacy and equal protection.
“IL26-638 is likely unconstitutional because it violates Washingtonians' rights to privacy and equal protection by requiring doctors to certify a girl's sex while it has no similar requirements for boy athletes.”
Original text
Original text
Where this statement fits
I-638 supporters defend sex verification for girls' sports; physicians warn of invasive testing
Washington's IL26-638 would require a health-care provider to verify sex for girls' sports participation. Supporter Hallie Herzberg describes a checkbox on a routine physical form. Physicians Libby Loft and Luis Manriquez argue that the text would require invasive or costly testing.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
The authors argue that the proposal violates privacy and equal protection. No court has decided that question here.
Original text
About this source
The text requires provider verification using one or more listed criteria. It does not expressly require every student to undergo every listed test.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The authors address three initiatives but give a separate constitutional argument on I-638.
After the quotation
This is their legal assessment, not a judicial finding.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is I-638. The organization opposes the requirement and urges a no vote.
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More from this case
Read the full caseGluesenkamp Perez rejects what she describes as annual proof of sex for girls' sports
“What I won't support is a rule that forces girls to prove their sex to the state every year just to play sports”Read statement
Flores-Rodarte criticizes sex-verification testing
“extremely invasive and unnecessary”Read statement
Family physicians' academy adopts opposition to I-638
Washington Academy of Family Physicians
“Action: Adopted opposition to Initiative IL26-638.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Seattle King County League says I-638 is likely unconstitutional". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7017-league-representatives-sign-a-letter-urging-a-no