Pride season is just around the corner! The WA State LGBTQ Commission wants to keep an updated calendar of Pride events throughout the state. We have created this form (https://forms.gle/XriJeud9DURibmZY9 ) which you can use to let us know about any event your agency or community group is planning for this year. Feel free to share this link with agencies around your area who are planning events to celebrate and honor our community.

The LGBTQ Commission reserves the right to publish the information of the event, and here are some guidelines we will follow in making our decision on what events will be published:

• Events that go against the mission, vision, and values of the LGBTQ Commission will not be publish on the calendar.
• Only community events will be accepted for publication. No commercial events at bars, clubs, restaurants, or paid venues will be accepted for publication. (It’s OK if a community event has an entrance fee.)
• Political, partisan, and religious events will not be accepted for publication.
• Acceptance for publication of an event on the Commission’s calendar does not constitute endorsement, support, or sponsorship of such event on the part of the Commission, its staff, Commissioners, or affiliated agencies.

Commission staff would be delighted to share with our community at Pride events throughout the season. If you want to extend an invitation to the staff or Commissioners to attend your event in an official capacity, please submit your invitation through the Commission’s “Contact Us” page here.

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission invites all 2SLBTQIA+ WOMEN in the state to join for a virtual townhall on Wednesday, March 9^th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

We want to engage queer women in the state and hear their concerns, hopes, and ideas on how to expand protections for our community.

Please use the following link to attend the townhall, no registration necessary: https://tinyurl.com/QueerWoman

The Commission is honored to have three expert panelists join us for a discussion:

- Bre Johnson, Volunteer Recruiter, The Trevor Project

- Jaelynn Scott, Executive Director, Lavender Rights Project

- Pat McIntyre, Co-founder, Tacoma Older LGBT

Convener and moderator: Tracey Carlos, Program Manager, WA State LGBTQ Commission

## Please note that this is an affinity space for women-identified people of any sexual orientation. This is also an intentionally trans-inclusive space where trans women are welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated. We invite allies and men-identified people to respect the intentionality of creating this as a safe space for queer women. ##

The Economic & Business Development Committee of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission would like to invite you to join a conversion about the needs of rural LGBTQ small businesses. This will be held via Zoom during the Committee’s regular meeting on Wednesday, March 16 from 11:00 to noon.

We invite you to share any details or stories that you would like the Commission to be aware of, whether there are any challenges you face, if there are ways that Washington State or the Commission could better support you, or any helpful stories to share more widely.

Please register by Monday, March 14^th here:

https://tinyurl.com/RuralLGBTQBusiness

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Washington Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) is seeking public comments and recommendations to inform the agency’s work on the development of the next round of COVID-19 small business recovery grants, Working Washington Grants: Round 5. The purpose of this effort is to:

• Gather stakeholder input on a draft definition for the arts and heritage sectors;
• Determine desirable methods of grant administration and distribution;
• Identify potential challenges of eligibility requirements and ideas for how to circumvent those hurdles;

Feedback obtained through this Request for Public Comment process will help inform coordinated agency action in designing and implementing programs that support equitable access for small business recovery grants across the state. Find more information and instructions on how to submit comments through this link: https://tinyurl.com/n7sby254

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse Washingtonians who all have unique talents, skills and experiences. Governor Inslee places a high priority on boards, commissions, and agencies that are reflective of the diverse make-up of Washington and that utilize the impressive talent of Washingtonians. We are always seeking skilled and experienced individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate in boards and commissions ensuring an effective and representative government.

We are excited to share the highlighted Current and Upcoming Gubernatorial Appointment Opportunities.

As someone with deep roots in your respective communities and organizations, we hope that you will share these opportunities.  Anyone interested in being appointed will need to fill out this Application.  Please explore the Boards and Commissions Profiles if you are interested in learning more about the many opportunities to get involved!

Thank you for your assistance in helping Governor Inslee find well-rounded candidates with significant talent and diverse experiences. Please feel free to reach out to Boards and Commissions staff with any questions you might have.  Thank you for your time.

The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) wants to hear from public works stakeholders in Washington state on mitigating barriers to diverse businesses in public construction. The 2021 State Legislature asked CPARB in RCW 39.10 to report back on best practices around diversity, equity, and inclusion in public contracting. CPARB is asking you to complete a simple online survey. Your feedback will guide their Business Equity/Diverse Business Inclusion (BE/DBI) Committee in focusing on which barriers need work and providing solutions.

Please complete the survey by the end of business day on February 28, 2022.

The Washington Courts will be receiving comments on a proposed change to their Code of Judicial Conduct to include “gender identity” and “gender expression.” The Courts will be receiving comments through April 30^th, 2022. You can read the full rulemaking changes information and submit comments through this link: https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.proposedRuleDisplay&ruleId=5939