Civil-rights protection OK'd for transgender individuals By Sharon Pian Chan Seattle Times staff reporter Transgender individuals will now enjoy the same civil-rights protections as other minorities under legislation passed by the Metropolitan King County Council Monday. The council added gender identity to laws already prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation, sex, race and religion. The legislation will protect transsexuals, transvestites and any other individuals with a gender identity that differs from their sex assigned at birth. "It's going to make employers aware of discrimination," said supporter Smitty Petersen. "People generally don't do things if...