BySenators Liias, Randall, Wilson, C., Salomon, Cleveland, Stanford, Saldaña, Dhingra, Conway, Pedersen, Takko, Das, Mullet, Frockt, Keiser, Van De Wege, Lovelett, Darneille, Hobbs, Nguyen, Kuderer, Hasegawa, McCoy, Billig, Sheldon, Hunt, Wellman, and Wagoner

WHEREAS, 2019 saw a large rise in violence targeting transgender people, especially transgender women of color, across this country; and

WHEREAS, While each case differs, it is clear that this violence has been founded on transphobia and specifically targeted towards transgender people because of their identity; and

WHEREAS, Dana Martin (31, she/her), Ashanti Carmon (27, she/her), Claire Legato (23, she/her), Muhlaysia Booker (23, she/her), Paris Cameron (20, she/her), Chynal Lindsey (26, she/her), Chanel Scurlock (23, she/her), Zoe Spears (23, she/her), Brooklyn Lindsey (32, she/her), Tracy Single (22, she/her), Kiki Fantroy (21, she/her), and many more transgender women were killed in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Nikki Kuhnhausen, a proud seventeen-year old trans woman from Vancouver, Washington, lived a life filled with empathy and love for others; and

WHEREAS, Nikki was, according to her mother, a "rainbow of light" who loved her friends and family unconditionally with all her heart and always made everyone smile even when they were feeling down; and

WHEREAS, Nikki radiated pure love and energy, approaching everyone and everything with a positive mindset to promote a world without barriers and to ensure the betterment of those around her; and

WHEREAS, Nikki had many aspirations in life, such as to win America's Next Top Model, and to be a hair and make-up artist; and

WHEREAS, Nikki was always confident in who she was even from a young age and taught others to be themselves, to be proud of who they are, and not hide because of what others think; and

WHEREAS, Even when Nikki was in preschool, she was always the most cheerful in the room, especially when she was able to wear beaded heels, and knew from a very young age how to be herself; and

WHEREAS, Nikki's compassion even spread to strangers she encountered on the street: Giving them her jacket when they needed one, bringing food and water, washing their clothes, and welcoming them into her home; and

WHEREAS, Nikki, through her genuine care for the community, worked hard to make sure others never went without the things they needed in life and would never think twice or ask for anything in return; and

WHEREAS, Nikki had a history of helping others struggling with their gender identity, even one time spending over five hours talking to a young girl who was struggling with her own gender identity; and

WHEREAS, Nikki was not only admired for her great compassion, but also her great strength and bravery, especially in the face of extreme adversity such as when she was the victim of a hateful targeted assault in 2018, in which she survived six gunshot wounds; and

WHEREAS, In June of 2019, Nikki's life was suddenly taken when she was brutally murdered in a violent incident believed to be linked to the disclosure of her gender identity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate mourn the loss of Nikki Kuhnhausen, remember her for the many lives she touched, and condemn the disgusting and hateful actions that took her life; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate condemn the continuing acts of violence against the transgender community, especially transgender women of color, throughout the United States and call upon all Washingtonians to join in rejecting these hateful actions that are contrary to our state's core values of respect, nondiscrimination, and nonviolence; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the family members and friends of Nikki Kuhnhausen.