Trans Sports Ban Gains Enough Signatures to Appear on Washington State Ballot

"On January 3, 2026, the far-right political group Let's Go Washington announced that it had collected more than 400,000 signatures - enough to place a transgender sports ban for high school students on the ballot with genital inspections as a primary verification method. The group, bankrolled by conservative megadonor Brian Heywood, previously played a central role in pushing a forced outing policy through the Washington State Legislature in 2024, a measure that was later significantly watered down."

"The initiative, known as IL26-638, would amend the law governing the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, other sporting associations, and public schools statewide. Currently, the association allows transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. Under the proposed measure, participation in girls' sports would be conditioned on a medical verification of sex, requiring either a genital examination or a blood test."

Let's Go Washington submitted over 400,000 signatures on January 3, 2026, to place IL26-638 on the ballot, seeking a statewide transgender sports ban for high school students. The measure would amend laws governing the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, other sporting associations, and public schools, replacing current policies that allow transgender participation consistent with gender identity. IL26-638 conditions girls' sports participation on medical verification of sex, requiring either a genital examination or a blood test. The initiative is backed by conservative megadonor Brian Heywood and follows prior efforts that pushed a forced outing policy in 2024. Passage may face legal and constitutional challenges.

Read at Truthout