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July 4, 2022 Newsletter
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Connect with the Commission
Happy Independence Day!
On July 4th, 1965 a group of LGBTQ activists in Philadelphia organized the first “Reminder Day” at Independence Hall. The intention of the group was to raise awareness of the lack of rights for the LGBTQ community in the United States. The group continued holding these annual demonstrations on July 4th for five consecutive years.
The LGBTQ community is and always has been part of the fabric of USA society. The words of the Declaration of Independence, although it uses outdated terminology, is still relevant for the LGBTQ community in the country: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [sic] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” LGBTQ folk are part of the citizens and residents of the United States who are endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In recent years we have witnessed state legislatures, and more recently, the US Supreme Court, taking individual rights away from people. Most of these laws and judicial decisions affect the most vulnerable within our communities: transgender children and youth, their families, women, and people of any gender who can get pregnant.
Despite these movements to strip LGBTQ people from our rights, our community keeps moving forward. Here in Washington, we celebrate equity, diversity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. We also recognize that the dream of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all Washingtonians rests on an active and engaged citizenry that demands accountability from their government institutions. Thus, the WA State LGBTQ Commission commits to continue working with our communities to ensure that these unalienable rights are not taken away from us.
If you are interested in learning more about the long journey towards LGBTQ liberation in the United States, you can check out this timeline of milestones in the USA LGBTQ rights movement.
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JULY 1, 2022
Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued the following statement in response to the Florida Legislature's Parental Rights in Education law going into effect:
"As a father and as Secretary of Education, I am deeply disheartened that the "Don't Say Gay" law went into effect in Florida today and I worry about its effects on young people and families in the state. The new law also is part of a dangerous trend across the country, where we are seeing legislation targeting the LGBTQI+ community. I've spoken to parents and families in Florida numerous times, and they've consistently told me that this legislation doesn't represent them or what they want for their children, and that it put Florida students in danger of bullying and worse mental health outcomes. My commitment to students and families in Florida is the same as my commitment to all across this great country: The Biden-Harris administration will continue to fight for dignity, opportunity, and the protection of civil rights for every student and family. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights stands ready, and as always, any student who believes they are experiencing discrimination, including harassment, at school or any parent or caregiver who is concerned that their child is experiencing discrimination, is encouraged to file a complaint with our office."
HOLD THE DATE!
26th annual WASHINGTON STATE BizFair – Hybrid Event
8am – 5pm Saturday, September 24th, 2022
In-person attendance at Renton Technical College, Renton, WA Each fall, the small business ecosystem in WA comes together to put on BizFair, the longest running all government and non-profit run free small business fair in Washington state. It is an opportunity for thousands of current & aspiring small business owners to:
BE INSPIRED by a keynote speaker that has successfully traversed the small business path and shares their story of perseverance. Last year it was Joe Fugere of Tutta Bella sharing his story of Resilience and Thriving.
MEET with mentors, advisors, trainers, educators, fellow small business owners and entrepreneurs.
LEARN from savvy business experts who will share their knowledge and real-life experiences.
CONNECT with federal, state, and local government agencies for assistance related to business and/or getting contract opportunities.
FIND OUT how non-profit organizations can help you with funding, legal support, and more.
NETWORK with Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Authorities, and statewide Business Associations.
BizFair 2022 will be a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual attendees having the same event experience.
NO COST TO ATTEND – Registration coming soon, watch for updates at www.bizfair.org
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The U.S. Department of Education Releases Proposed Changes to Title IX Regulations, Invites Public Comment
Department Commemorates 50 Years of Protecting and Advancing the Rights of All Students
Today, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX – the landmark civil rights law that has opened doors for generations of women and girls – the U.S. Department of Education released for public comment proposed changes to the regulations that help elementary and secondary schools and colleges and universities implement this vital legislation. The proposed amendments will restore crucial protections for students who are victims of sexual harassment, assault, and sex-based discrimination – a critical safety net for survivors that was weakened under previous regulations. The proposed regulations will advance educational equity and opportunity for women and girls across the country to ensure that every student in America, from kindergarten through a doctorate degree, can achieve her dreams.
“Over the last 50 years, Title IX has paved the way for millions of girls and women to access equal opportunity in our nation’s schools and has been instrumental in combating sexual assault and sexual violence in educational settings,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this landmark law, our proposed changes will allow us to continue that progress and ensure all our nation’s students – no matter where they live, who they are, or whom they love – can learn, grow, and thrive in school. We welcome public comment on these critical regulations so we can further the Biden-Harris Administration’s mission of creating educational environments free from sex discrimination and sexual violence.”
The proposed regulations will advance Title IX’s goal of ensuring that no person experiences sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, or sexual violence in education. As the Supreme Court wrote in Bostock v. Clayton County, 140 S. Ct. 1731 (2020), it is “impossible to discriminate against a person” on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity without “discriminating against that individual based on sex.” The regulations will require that all students receive appropriate supports in accessing all aspects of education. They will strengthen protections for LGBTQI+ students who face discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And they will require that school procedures for complaints of sex discrimination, including sexual violence and other sex-based harassment, are fair to all involved. The proposed regulations also reaffirm the Department’s core commitment to fundamental fairness for all parties, respect for freedom of speech and academic freedom, respect for complainants’ autonomy, and clear legal obligations that enable robust enforcement of Title IX.
The proposed regulations would:
- Clearly protect students and employees from all forms of sex discrimination.
- Provide full protection from sex-based harassment.
- Protect the right of parents and guardians to support their elementary and secondary school children.
- Require schools to take prompt and effective action to end any sex discrimination in their education programs or activities – and to prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects.
- Protect students and employees who are pregnant or have pregnancy-related conditions.
- Require schools to respond promptly to all complaints of sex discrimination with a fair and reliable process that includes trained, unbiased decisionmakers to evaluate the evidence.
- Require schools to provide supportive measures to students and employees affected by conduct that may constitute sex discrimination, including students who have brought complaints or been accused of sex-based harassment.
- Protect LGBTQI+ students from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
- Clarify and confirm protection from retaliation for students, employees, and others who exercise their Title IX rights.
- Improve the adaptability of the regulations’ grievance procedure requirements so that all recipients can implement Title IX’s promise of nondiscrimination fully and fairly in their educational environments.
- Ensure that schools share their nondiscrimination policies with all students, employees, and other participants in their education programs or activities.
The Department will engage in a separate rulemaking to address Title IX’s application to athletics.
The Department’s comprehensive review of its Title IX regulations began in March 2021, as directed by Executive Order 14021 – Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free From Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Including Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity. The Department has sought public input throughout that process. Over the last year, the Department has heard from a wide variety of stakeholders, including students, parents, and educators in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools, state government representatives, advocates, lawyers, researchers, and other stakeholders through the Title IX nationwide virtual public hearing in June 2021 convened by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and in numerous listening sessions and meetings. This input, together with careful review of federal case law and OCR’s enforcement work under Title IX, highlighted the need to revise the current regulations to protect more fully against sex discrimination in all education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.
“The proposed regulations reflect the Department’s commitment to give full effect to Title IX, ensuring that no person experiences sex discrimination in education, and that school procedures for addressing complaints of sex discrimination, including sexual violence and other forms of sex-based harassment, are clear, effective, and fair to all involved,” said Catherine E. Lhamon, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
The Department’s proposed Title IX regulations will be open for public comment for 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.
Additional information on the proposed rule, including a summary with background information and a fact sheet, is available here.
The unofficial version of the proposed rule is available here.
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Department of Revenue Washington State Working Families Tax Credit - June 16, 2022 Vaya hacia abajo para leer este mensaje en español.
Now accepting applications for community outreach grants
Through a partnership with Department of Commerce and Department of Revenue, grants will be awarded to community-based organizations to promote awareness and enrollment efforts for both the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) and the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Selected community-based organizations will use these funds to conduct outreach and education to eligible communities with the objective of helping individuals apply for both the WFTC and the EITC.
The deadline for applications is July 25, 2022.
Learn more
Se aceptan solicitudes de subsidios para la divulgacion en las comunidades
A través de una asociación con el Departamento de Comercio y el Departamento de Ingresos se otorgarán subvenciones a organizaciones comunitarias para promover la concientización y los esfuerzos de inscripción tanto para el Crédito Tributario para Familias Trabajadoras (WFTC, por su sigla en inglés) como para el Crédito Tributario por Ingreso del Trabajo (EITC, por su sigla en inglés) federal.
Las organizaciones comunitarias seleccionadas utilizarán estos fondos para llevar a cabo actividades de divulgación y educación para las comunidades elegibles con el objetivo de ayudar a las personas a solicitar tanto el WFTC como el EITC.
La fecha límite para las solicitudes es el 25 de julio de 2022.
Más información (en inglés)
Learn more
To learn more about the Working Families Tax Credit, visit dor.wa.gov/WorkingFamilies.
If you have specific questions or recommendations, please contact us at DORWFTC@dor.wa.gov.
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Más información
Para obtener más información sobre el crédito tributario para familias, visite dor.wa.gov/WorkingFamilies.
Si tiene preguntas o recomendaciones específicas, escriba a DORWFTC@dor.wa.gov.
Request for Proposals – Community Reinvestment Plan Development
The Department of Commerce seeks a consultant to develop a community reinvestment plan describing how funds will be distributed to address racial, economic, and social disparities in communities across the state created by the historical design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession.
Community Reinvestment Plan Development Request for Proposals (RFP)
Applications due: July 15, 2022 at 5PM Pacific Time, Olympia, Washington
Please share this posting with your network.
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RCF: Regional Contracting Forum SAVE THE DATE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
2022 REGIONAL CONTRACTING FORUM
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE ONLY
MUCKLESHOOT EVENT CENTER, 2402 AUBURN WAY S, AUBURN
CONNECTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND CONTRACTORS TO STATE AND LOCAL
AGENCIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES, AND VARIOUS
ORGANIZATIONS. DISADVANTAGED, MINORITY, SMALL, VETERAN, AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
MORE INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.
COVID precautions event-wide in effect per requirements of Washington State, County, and/or
local jurisdiction requirements. In King County, proof of vaccination and masks are required at all
times. Medical/religious exemptions are not allowed. A negative COVID test within 72 hours of the
event can be used in lieu of religious/medical exemptions.
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Interested in serving on Commissions and Boards?
Monthly Upcoming Appointment Opportunities
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.
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Jobs Opportunities for LGBTQ Washingtonians
Check out the list of job opportunities for the community on our Careers Opportunities page by visiting this link.
We are excited to share job postings sent to the LGBTQ Commission. There are three requirements to be included on our page:
- The job needs to be able to be done in Washington State (virtual works)
- The business must have an inclusivity and/or equal opportunity statement
- The job posting must include a salary range.
Please send any job opportunity to share with the community to our Program Manager, Tracey Carlos (she/her) to tracey.carlos@lgbtq.wa.gov
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