December 12, 2022 Newsletter

Connect with the Commission

The US Congress Passes the Respect for Marriage Act

The United States Congress finally approved the “Respect for Marriage Act” of 2022. With bipartisan support on both the House and the Senate, the act is now on its way to President Biden for signature. This is a significant moment in the history of marriage equality in the USA. Recent decisions and comments by member of the US Supreme Court seem to indicate that this body is ready to take on some local judicial challenges to the marriage equality ruling issued by the same court in 2015. The “Respect for Marriage Act” protects people’s rights to marry whom they love regardless of sex, gender, and racial or ethnic background. The WA State LGBTQ Commission celebrates the passing of this important piece of federal legislation. Although Washington had approved marriage equality through popular vote in 2012, the “Respect for Marriage Act” will ensure that the right to marry is protected throughout the country. The Washington state Congressional delegation overwhelmingly supported the legislation, with both Senators Cantwell and Murray voting in favor in the Senate, and Congresspeople DelBene, Herrera Beutler, Larsen, Jayapal, Kilmer, Newhouse, Schrier, Smith, and Strickland all voting in favor in the House, and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers voting against it. Our gratitude goes to all the grassroots activists who worked on securing Congressional support for this legislation, and to all the members of our congressional delegation who upheld the right of Washingtonians to marry whom we love regardless of sex, gender, or racial and ethnic background.

Love, Equally

https://youtu.be/9kDXeeHsQBg

https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/love-eq...

On December 9th, 2012, the first same-sex marriages took place in Washington. Legacy Washington celebrates this history with profiles and an exhibit about people who were committed to LGBTQ civil rights, and those still fighting for progress. In this video, hear from Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins and Senator Jamie Pedersen, two champions for marriage equality in the state legislature.

Save the Date – WA State LGBTQ Commission Reception

Save Friday, January 20^th from 6:00 – 9:00 pm to join the staff, legislative advisors, and Commissioners of the WA State LGBTQ Commission for an informal reception and celebration. The reception will be in Olympia, WA and the exact location will be shared once it’s confirmed. Come and meet your Commissioners, learn more about how the Commission advocates for the LGBTQ community, and mingle with community members as the Legislative session begins.

Save the Date Washington State LGBTQ Commission Reception, January 20 6-9, Olympia WA (location to be announced)

Opportunities for the Community

BIPOC Business Questionnaire

Dear Thurston County Stakeholder, The BIPOC Business Task Force was started this spring as part of an effort by Thurston Strong and the Thurston Economic Development Council to help identify structural and socio-cultural deficiencies and barriers that may hinder equitable access to market opportunities. And, to identify proactive solutions that work to stimulate economic equity and advancement. Since our inception, we have been integral in the work of awarding one million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants to BIPOC startup businesses in Thurston County. We are now looking to better understand the challenges BIPOC business owners face in starting and growing their business, why they decided to become entrepreneurs, how they achieved success, and opportunities to support BIPOC-owned businesses throughout Thurston County. It is our goal to use the information gathered along with an understanding of local and regional resources already available or in progress, to make recommendations on solutions for what is needed and how best to get resources out to BIPOC entrepreneurs and communities. As part of this work, we have been meeting with and engaging community racial and ethnic groups and entrepreneurs. One of the tools we have used is a questionnaire, created to capture challenges, successes, and resources used. As community stakeholders and partners, you are in a distinct position to connect with specific BIPOC entrepreneurs in the community. As such, we are requesting that you take a moment to send the following link of our questionnaire to those whom it is intended for. BIPOC Entrepreneur Questionnaire: https://wcwb.typeform.com/to/uqggoDtv We thank you for your participation and collaboration. Respectfully, Thurston Strong BIPOC Business Task Force

LGBTQ Rights at the Supreme Court: What to Expect in 303 Creative

On December 5, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in 303 Creative v. Elenis, one of the most significant cases on LGBTQ issues this term. The case addresses whether the First Amendment allows a website designer to refuse to serve same-sex couples in violation of Colorado’s nondiscrimination law.

Join the UCLA Williams Institute on December 13 at noon for an online discussion of the oral arguments, the evidence we presented in our amicus brief, and the implications for LGBTQ rights.

Register through this link.

LGBTQ+ Scholarship Programs Accepting Applications

Pride Foundation Scholarships

Pride Foundation’s scholarship program supports LGBTQ+ students who are leaders—in their own lives, in their families, in their home communities, in their fields of study, in their workplaces, or in our movements for justice. 

We prioritize moving resources to LGBTQ+ students who need it most, so we especially focus our funding on those LGBTQ+ student leaders who have some or all of the following experiences and qualities:

• Demonstrate a commitment to advancing justice and the well-being of their communities, past, present, and future
• Have experienced family rejection and/or haven’t been able to access a larger community support system
• Face systemic barriers to educational access, and have been impacted by systemic discrimination and oppression. Specifically:
  • Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color
  • Trans, non-binary, gender diverse, gender non-conforming, and Two Spirit people
  • Immigrants
  • Disabled people/People with Disabilities, including people living with chronic illness, HIV, neurodivergence, and mental health challenges
  • People over 25, as non-traditionally aged students
  • People living rurally
  • People who have experienced or are experiencing housing instability or houselessness
  • People who have experienced or are experiencing poverty
  • Demonstrate financial need and don’t have access to familial or other financial supports
• The priorities above drive the funding for all of our scholarships. While most Pride Foundation Scholarships are open to all students, we also host a number of scholarship funds that have specific criteria, based on students’ majors, backgrounds, where they live, and more. For those scholarships, we will prioritize students who both meet the specific fund criteria and also the broader programmatic priorities above.

For more information visit this link.

GSBA Scholarship Fund

About the Fund

Awarding scholarships to LGBTQ+ and allied students who exhibit leadership potential, demonstrate strong academic abilities, and are actively involved in their schools and community.

Become a Scholar

GSBA awards educational scholarships to LGBTQ+ and cisgender/straight-ally students who are committed to making a difference in the world. Our scholarships range up to $13,000 annually and are meant to provide significant support as you pursue your educational goals.

For more information, visit this link.

Working Families Tax Credit - A New Tax Credit for Washington Workers

Starting in 2023, the Working Families Tax Credit is a new tax refund that helps Washington workers and their families get more money back at tax time. The refund returns a portion of sales tax paid each year and is modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit program. The purpose of the Working Families Tax Credit is to stimulate the local economy, promote racial equity, and support the financial stability and well-being of low-to-moderate income Washington residents and their families. This credit program is managed by the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR), the state’s tax administration agency. Find out more information about this program by visiting the Working Families Tax Credit page through this link.

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.

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

Have something you want to share in our newsletter?  Please send any submissions to Tracey Carlos, Program Manager, at tracey.carlos@lgbtq.wa.gov  

Deadline for all submissions is Thursdays by 12:00 PM Pacific Time.

Published Monday mornings.