This November, two statewide ballot measures would have impacts on students in public schools, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Multimedia journalist Venice Buhain tells us how this mirrors discussions happening nationwide.

VO: Initiative 638 would ban transgender students from competing in K-12 girls sports.

ROLAND: Their main argument is that this really puts female athletes at a competitive disadvantage in sports.

VO: Mitchell Rowland covers state government for The Spokesman-Review.

ROLAND: Those who oppose the initiative have argued that this will require doctors to do a genital examination of athletes -- really doing an invasive examination that's outside of the traditional physical that athletes are required to go through to compete in K-12 athletics.

VO: Initiatives 001 and 638 on statewide ballots were both sponsored by political group Let's Go Washington.

MIGDON: These Washington state ballot measures do not exist in a vacuum by any means.

VO: Brooke Migdon covers LGBTQ+ issues for The 19th.

MIGDON: There are similar ballot measures restricting or seeking to restrict transgender athletes in schools in Colorado, in Arizona, Nebraska.

VO: Initiative 001 would repeal the changes that the legislature made last year to the Parents Bill of Rights.

The changes would shorten a parent's timeline to get access to textbooks, and also guarantee parents access to medical or health records.

MIGDON: LGBTQ groups in Washington have expressed concerns that this parental rights measure would, you know, compel teachers to effectively out trans and gay students to their families who may be unsupportive.

JACKSON: Next time, a historically Black sorority creates a forum for voters to meet their elected leaders.

I'm Paris Jackson.

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