GOP bill in Olympia: No flying gay pride flag from state ferries

An oversized, rainbow flag flies from the Space Needle during the 41st annual Pride Parade, photographed Sunday, June 28, 2015, in Seattle. An oversized, rainbow flag flies from the Space Needle during the 41st annual Pride Parade, photographed Sunday, June 28, 2015, in Seattle. Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: JORDAN STEAD, SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close GOP bill in Olympia: No flying gay pride flag from state ferries 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Conservative Republican lawmakers seem to be marking out a 2016 legislative agenda topped by such goals as blocking transgender teens from using bathrooms and keeping the gay pride flag from flying on Washington State Ferries.

The latest legislation is a bill by state Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick, that would restrict flags on ferries to the Stars and Stripes, the Washington state flag and various maritime signals.

Flags are symbols of pride in teams, causes and where we live.

Pennants for the Seahawks fly from the Space Needle before big games. The rainbow flag symbolizing LGBT civil rights has topped the Needle during Pridefest, which draws a quarter-million people to downtown Seattle.

Showing our #Pride2015 during #SeattlePride weekend. Look for the Rainbow flag atop our Seattle boats @seapridefest pic.twitter.com/INIEcMgeCp — WA State Ferries (@wsferries) June 26, 2015

The rainbow flag flew last June from ferries on the Seattle-Bremerton and Seattle-Bainbridge runs. Klippert and Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, tried to get the flags removed. They were turned down.

"I have no problem with the Seahawks flag," Klippert, a Benton County sheriff's deputy, told the Tri-City Herald. "People across all policy beliefs support our Seahawks, but this is not true for gay pride flags."

Photo: Elaine Thompson Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick, pauses as he speaks during a...

The ban-the-flag bill was introduced on the 10th anniversary of the Legislature's passage of landmark legislation, sponsored by then-Rep. Ed Murray, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual preference.

The coincidence is "really unfortunate," said Rep. Brady Walkinshaw, D-Seattle.

"I am proud we are flying that flag and I hope we continue to do so," added Walkinshaw, who is gay and running for Congress.

Zachary Pullin of the Pride Foundation said such proposals as the flag ban distract from the public's real business.

"This type of legislation sidetracks our elected officials from doing the actual work needed to ensure all Washingtonians are able to live happily, healthily, freely and safely," said Pullin. "We look forward to our legislators addressing school success, economic growth, youth homelessness and health disparities among vulnerable populations."

The Klippert bill comes a day after the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, on a party-line vote, advanced a measure to roll back one form of LGBT protection. The legislation would eliminate a new state rule allowing transgendered persons to use public restrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Murray, now Seattle's mayor, denounced the Republican-sponsored legislation.

"Thankfully, the likelihood of this measure becoming law is extremely remote," Murray said in a statement. "We fought for decades to achieve civil rights equality for LGBTQ individuals, couples and families. This debate is over. We must not fight the culture wars all over again."

Last year, the Seattle City Council passed, and Murray signed, an ordinance aimed at making comfortable the transgendered.

It requires that all single-occupancy bathrooms in places of business be gender-neutral.

Joel Connelly has been a staff columnist for more than 30 years. He comments regularly on politics and public policy. Joel Connelly has been a staff columnist for more than 30 years. He comments regularly on politics and public policy.

"We must not put people at risk," said the mayor.