On Friday, June 12, transgender health protections were reversed by the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services. The rule, which was finalized after being proposed in 2019, reverses the 2016 rule, which explained that protections regarding “sex” encompass those based on gender identity.

However, today, on June 15, the US Supreme Court ruled that the language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In light of this, we would like to reiterate that Cascadia’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is unwavering. No staff member or client will be discriminated against solely on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability status.

This is a key component of Cascadia’s mission, vision, and values. As Cascadians, we understand the worth and beauty diversity brings to Cascadia, and are committed to creating a safe work environment for all those who work for and receive services from Cascadia.