We are a few of the more than 100 Washington pediatricians, family doctors and nurses who oppose I-638’s new sex inspection requirements. The initiative is a government mandate forcing us to conduct medically unnecessary and potentially harmful tests on elementary, middle and high school girls. This includes genital exams, and genetic or hormone tests, as a new part of sports physicals. 
I-638, officially known as the Defending Equity in Interscholastic Sports Act, is part of a coordinated and thinly veiled political attack on all girls, not just vulnerable transgender children. As The Seattle Times editorial board wrote in their opposition to I-638 : it “would send Washington back to the days of ‘femininity certificates,’ when amateur women athletes, including Olympic athletes, had to carry proof that they had passed visual exams and chromosome testing that proved they were women.”

Under I-638, sponsored by MAGA megadonor Brian Heywood’s Let’s Go Washington, any girl from elementary to high school who wants to play sports would be forced to provide medically verified proof of their sex as a new part of sports physicals just for girls. Boys are exempt. It prohibits parents from using birth certificates, and Section 3(2)) states that, to be in compliance, doctors must subject girls to examinations of their “reproductive organs,” or make parents pay for expensive genetic or hormone testing. Insurance will likely not pay for these expensive genetic and hormone tests because they are not medically necessary to diagnose, treat or manage a specific health condition.

Washington students currently remain fully clothed during sports readiness exams, and exams focus on cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurologic systems. But I-638 would change that, potentially even requiring pelvic exams, which are medically unnecessary for sports, and can emotionally and physically harm young girls. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says there is no medical reason for a pelvic exam for girls younger than 21, unless the patient has other health concerns. 

The initiative is so poorly written that its sponsors have even said they wish they had written an initiative with more clarity on how it would be implemented. There is no explanation of when and how the government will enforce these rules, who can conduct sex inspections or what evidence will be required during genital, hormone or genetic tests. It could be used to demand that girls as young as kindergarten or girls who participate in nonathletic activities like e-sports prove their sex to a stranger. I-638 is clear about only one thing: The government gets to make personal decisions for our patients and their parents.

Nearly 150,000 school-age girls across Washington state do not have a regular doctor — this is especially true for low-income, rural and immigrant girls, and girls of color — and would be subject to genital examinations by strangers. The American Academy of Family Physicians says sports physicals should take place “not in a group setting,” but many families depend on free large group sports physicalswhere girls could face greater embarrassment and trauma from invasive genital inspections. 

By requiring girls to undergo invasive inspections, I-638 would decrease participation, robbing girls of the physical, social and emotional benefits that sports provide. More than half of teenagers experience anxiety or depression. In the midst of a youth mental health crisis, the last thing we should do is put up barriers to healthy and social activities.
I-638 would force us to violate an ethical code to do no harm to our patients. That’s why we are joining the WA State PTA, WA State Nurses Association, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, the League of Women Voters, and thousands of parents and teachers across the state in urging voters to vote No on I-638.

Grace Shih: MD, is a physician, reproductive health specialist and professor in the Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington.
Glenna Martin: MD, MPH is a family physician in Seattle. She sits on the board of Pro Choice Washington.
Caitlin Blau: DO, is a family physician in Bellingham.
Sam Doyle: ARNP, is a nurse practitioner at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and a UW teaching associate of Medicine and Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine.

Finally saw an infamous flying sea lion

It's 7am. What property managers are instructing their landscapers to leaf blow for an hour starting at 7am? Just wanna talk.

Edit: I mean, it's 8am but they started at 7 😭 How many leaves can there even be?

Edit edit: omg guys. I didnt realize it was life or death. Thank you for enlightening me.

I also have learned the internet is NOT a space to ever speak negatively and that doing so must inherently make me an absolutely selfish unempathrtic person. I've learned a lot and I'm very grateful. 🙏

Edit two electric boogalo: I'm also anti-homeless and ungrateful for a place to live!! Im learning and growing, guys! Thank you. 🤍

🏰The Last Edit 🦄: I work in property management and understand the nature of being working class, and having a job to do. I understand the citys noise ordinance quiet hours end at 7 am. I understand no matter when you do it, someones mad. Apparently (editception: CITY OWNED) gas leaf blowers will be banned in 2027 (and there will be a study done to consider a full ban). I understand theyre expensive and less powerful. I think landscapers should charge the extra cost back to property management/owners, because, despite the worsening inflation, they took on the risk (and no, rents shouldn't increase because of it.) I understand some people think if the electric blower is not powerful enough, the pile is too big. I think the act of moving leaves around over and over and never actually removing them seems like a waste of time.

I apologize for my sins, and have asked Jesus to forgive me. I appreciate everyones humor and insight. Go hawks, or whatever!

Bro has heterochromia apparently and looks like he’d fight you after a coupla beers

Seattle women in your 30s and 40s — would you be interested in a monthly women's circle?

I've been thinking about how, as adults, it can be surprisingly hard to make new friends and build meaningful connections beyond the friendships and routines we already have.

I'd love to start a small, monthly women's circle in Seattle for women in their 30s and 40s who are interested in meeting new people, having thoughtful conversations, and building genuine friendships over time.

I'm imagining something relaxed and welcoming — coffee or tea, a small group of women, and a few conversation prompts to help us get beyond the usual small talk. Nothing formal or overly structured, and definitely no pressure to share anything you're not comfortable with.

The hope would be to create a space where we can get to know one another, support each other through different stages of life, and maybe build the kind of friendships that grow naturally when you see people regularly.

I'm still in the early stages of exploring this idea, but I'm imagining starting with a small group in the Ballard, Fremont or greater Seattle area.

Before I get too far into planning, I'm curious:

Would something like this appeal to you?

What would make you feel comfortable showing up to a gathering where you might not know anyone?

Would you prefer a casual coffee meetup, guided conversation, or a mix of both?

I'm just putting the idea out there to see if there's interest, so I'd genuinely love to hear your thoughts. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, feel free to comment or send me a message! 💛

P.s I am taking notes and I truly appreciate the feedback.

On a slightly less cursed note, it had no “STUDENT DRIVER” stickers!

Why are these in the window on 2nd and Cherry? We looked up who would be in this building and got ahold of the King County department of Public defense to ask what was going on. The response was that they would send someone to take a look. That seems to be all that did.

The first photo is from yesterday at 5pm and the others are today at 2pm after the call. I guess they figured closing the blinds would help?

Hi all! I am deeply unwell and am seeking an inpatient mental health facility. I have also heard the horror stories of places that harm more than help.

If anyone has personal insight (yourself, a close friend/family member/acquaintance) into anywhere in the Seattle area, I would greatly appreciate any information. Where to go, where to avoid, red flags, etc. Literally any information, I will be deeply grateful for.

Thanks <3

A seagull just got hit by a Lime Glider near Occidental Gallery in Pioneer Square. It's alive but bleeding from the mouth.

PAWS will take it but doesn't transport, and I don't have a car or a box.
Looking for anyone who:
• Knows A vet that takes wildlife or has the capacity to transport it to PAWS
• Bring a cardboard box or carrier
• Knows a wildlife rescuer who can come out

Please comment or DM ASAP. Thank you

Yesterday, a friend and I walked to the waterfront by Queen Anne and noticed a line of water bottles and Caprisuns laid out on part of the walkway. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be an art piece or if someone just wants people to stay hydrated.

It felt weird to lay them out in a line instead of putting them in a bucket.

Anyone hear the gunshots? I didn’t hear a car or anything after. Nothing at all, maybe two guns going back and forth and then nothing.

Did anyone just see that huge meteor above Seattle? It’s luminosity was so intense and green

Photos from what might be Rush's final performance in Seattle...