I was asked by the Jewish Federation of Washington to testify against one of these bills. My testimony follows. For more information, please contact http://www.wasafealliance.org/.
Esteemed Senators, thank you for hearing me today. I am Rabbi
Rona Matlow, a community rabbi in Olympia, a disabled veteran, counselor and
transwoman.
I served our country for 22 years to preserve our rights and
liberties. This bill in front of you, SB 6548, to be enforced, would require
substantial violations of those rights and liberties.
In Deuteronomy, is taught “Do not put a stumbling block
before the blind.” This is commonly understood to mean that we should not put
additional hurdles in front of those already facing many. This bill does just that.
There has never been a case of a transwoman attacking a
ciswoman in a women’s room. However there have been plenty of cases of
transwomen BEING attacked in men’s rooms, when forced to use them.
Our rabbis taught that if one saves a life, it is as if they
had saved the world. Conversely, if one takes a life, it is as if one had
destroyed the world.
Senators, this bill before you will put many citizens at
risk, and not improve the safety of any. It is mean-spirited, and it violates
the very Biblical tenets the bill’s sponsors claim to uphold.
In Leviticus, as well as in several other places, is taught
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” I ask you, would you like to be forced to
show your genitals to use the bathroom? Because that is what this bill would
require, to be enforced. That is not loving your neighbor.
I urge you to save the world, by defeating this bill. Please don’t make my years of service and
related disabilities meaningless by nullifying the very rights and liberties I
served so long to protect.
Thank you.
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