March 20, 2023 LGBTQ Commission Newsletter

Office of the Governor / Office of Financial Management sent this bulletin at 03/20/2023 09:45 AM PDT

March 20, 2023 Newsletter

Connect with the Commission

WA State LGBTQ Commission Meets With Community Groups in Spokane County

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission held its public meeting in Spokane County on Friday, March 17^th and welcomed several community partners working with 2SLGBTQ+ community partners in the area. During this public meeting, the Commissioners also discussed and adopted a comprehensive Strategic Plan to be implemented throughout the next two fiscal years.

Staff and members of Spectrum Center Spokane welcome the LGBTQ Commission

At the public meeting, Commissioners discussed the strategic priorities for the Commission which includes working with 2SLGBTQ+ elders, nurturing intersectional connections, supporting basic needs, and track and counter hate. The Commissioners also discussed their commitment to their roles as representatives of their respective communities. A full report and details about the Strategic Plan will be published soon by the Commission.

The highlight of the public meeting was the participation of community groups. Vanessa Delgado, Director of Student Equity and inclusion Services at Eastern Washington University’s Pride Center, shared about the work the school is doing with 2SLGBTQ+ students. She also shared some ideas on how to respond to the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ students. These ideas will help the Commission explore policy recommendations for the wellbeing of Washington’s 2SLGBTQ+ students in institutions of higher education.

Spokane Pride was represented by its former President, Esteban Herevia, who shared a bit about the history of the organization and the Pride Month celebrations in Spokane. Esteban shared the story of how a simple march along the sidewalk on the Riverfront Park attended by a few dozen people came to be the largest Pride celebration in a 200 miles radius. The event welcomes over 25,000 people. During the high of the pandemic, the celebration turned into a drive-through pride parade, with stations where cars could stop and get information, swag, and connect with resources. Over 5,000 cars showed up for the event. This year, Spokane Pride will be on Saturday, June 10^th at the Riverfront Park.

The Washington State Office of Equity was also present at the public meeting. Omar Santana, who was the LGBTQ Commission’s first Program Manager and is now on staff with the Office, shared about his project to build a community advisory board. This advisory board will gather feedback from the community at large to help the Office of Equity accomplish its mandate to make Washington a state where everyone belongs.

Finally, the Commission welcomed staff and members of Spectrum Center Spokane, “an intersectional and intergenerational organization that uplifts the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community.” Roo Ramos who serves as Executive Director, and Roin Morigeau who leads the Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer Programming at the center were accompanied by other staff and members of the group. They shared with us about their extensive programming for the community as well as their Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer programming. After the meeting, Commissioners and staff joined the Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer community at The Hive, a community-centered space of the Spokane Public Library, where the group has been weaving and beading their regalia for the upcoming Two-Spirit Gathering in Spokane Falls on June 9^th. (You can read more about this event below in this newsletter.)

The WA State LGBTQ Commission is grateful for all the voices that shared with us during our last public meeting. We look forward to continuing collaborating and learning from our partners throughout the state.

Opportunities for the Community

Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative (EHE) in King County

Public Health – Seattle King County is looking for African American and Latinx/Hispanic men who have sex with men and Trans folks to participate in a paid, research study about sexual health. The study is confidential, will be conducted over Zoom, and will take about an hour. Those who participate will receive a $100 Visa e-gifts card. Scan the QR code or visit www.kingcounty.gov/EndHIV to see if you qualify!

14 governors call on major pharmacies to clarify plans on medication abortion

On March 14, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a letter to CVS, Rite-Aid, Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, Costco, and Health Mart thanking them for carefully considering how they can help expand access to medication abortion, and asking them to clarify their plans to distribute abortion medication and safeguard access to reproductive health care.

Recent media reports indicate that some major pharmacy retail companies, under political pressure, may be considering not dispensing critical abortion medication to millions of individuals, including in states where medication abortion, like Mifepristone, can be lawfully dispensed. In response, 14 Governors are calling on companies to disclose their plans for dispensing Mifepristone, as well as any other actions they plan to take to safeguard access to reproductive health care.

“As companies that dispense critical, life-saving medications, we urge that your decisions continue to be guided by well-established science and medical evidence and a commitment to the health and well-being of patients – not politics or litigation threats,” wrote the governors, who are members of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a non-partisan coalition of governors committed to strengthening reproductive health care access.

“As you know, the FDA determined more than 20 years ago that Mifepristone is safe and effective, and as health care providers, we hope you will see this attempted interference in the private market for what it is: a threat to the rights of Americans to access basic health care,” urged the governors.

The full letter can be viewed here: https://www.governor.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Governor-Letter-to-Pharmacy-Retail-Companies__3.14.23.docx.pdf.

Save the Date for Say It Out Loud Conference!

Join us for the 22^nd annual Say It Out Loud Conference back in person on May 22, 2023!

The theme this year is "Let's Get Reel": Getting real about our communities, what data tells us, needs and inequities and how we're addressing them, use of evidence-based care, history and evolution of genderqueer, projects, and research of our youth coalitions. Not shying away from topics but elevating them to promote change.

LOCATION:

Davenport Grand

333 W Spokane Falls Boulevard

Spokane, WA 99201

REGISTRATION:

Stay Tuned! Opening mid-February $75

SPONSORSHIP:

Interested in sponsoring the 2023 SIOL Conference? CLICK HERE to learn more and contact us at contactus@sayingitoutloud.org

www.sayingitoutloud.org

Save the Date: Two-Spirit Gathering in Spokane Falls

Image: Stylized sun, feather and water on yellow backgroup with QR Code, Spectrum Center logo, Spokane Pride logo Text: FREE Open to the public JUNE 9TH 2023. First date of Spokane Pride 1pm-8pm PST Riverfront Park @ The Lilac Bowl 507 N Howard St Spokane, WA 99201 QR Code link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2aCJDLLcb8jhqX9RXUhpVcroKFWnItOLCe2UzyoSXfUQHyQ/viewform

Legislative Session Updates

The LGBTQ Commission identifies legislative priorities annually and works with our Legislative Advisors and other legislators to advance bills that expand the rights of the community.

The current bills being monitored for 2023 that made it through the first cutoff:

Legislative Priority:

HB 1089 - Supporting adults with lived experience of sex trafficking.
SB 5114 - Supporting adults with lived experience of sex trafficking. Companion bill
HB 1151 - Mandating coverage for fertility services.

Affecting the community:

HB 1028 - Supporting crime victims and witnesses by promoting victim-centered, trauma-informed responses in the legal system.
HB 1155 - Addressing the collection, sharing, and selling of consumer health data.
HB 1207 - Preventing and responding to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools.
HB 1239 - Establishing a simple and uniform system for complaints related to, and instituting a code of educator ethics for, conduct within or involving public elementary and secondary
HB 1408 - Creating an account for the pharmaceutical rebate revenue generated by the purchase of medications for people living with HIV who are enrolled in the early intervention program.
HB 1469 – Concerning access to reproductive health care services and gender-affirming
HB 1474- Creating the covenant homeownership account and program to address the history of housing discrimination due to racially restrictive real estate covenants in
HB 1541 - Establishing the nothing about us without us act.
SB 5008 - Providing parents and legal guardians access to instructional materials.
SB 5009 - Requiring parental or legal guardian approval before a child participates in comprehensive sexual health education.
SB 5024 - Establishing parents' bill of rights related to their child's public education.
SB 5028 - Revising the process for individuals to request name changes.
SB 5029 - Empowering school district boards of directors.
SB 5142 - Creating an account for the pharmaceutical rebate revenue generated by the purchase of medications for people living with HIV who are enrolled in the early intervention program.
SB 5186 - Requiring antidiscrimination clauses in public contracting
SB 5230 - Concerning extended foster care services.
SB 5237 - Establishing complaint procedures to address noncompliance with certain state education laws
SB 5241 - Concerning material changes to the operations and governance structure of participants in the health care marketplace.
SB 5242 - Prohibiting cost sharing for abortion.
SB 5355 - Mandating instruction on sex trafficking prevention and identification for students in grades seven through 12
SB 5441 - Promoting the adoption of school district curricula that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
SB 5462 - Promoting inclusive learning standards and instructional materials in public schools
SB 5489 - Concerning access to reproductive health care services and gender-affirming treatment in Washington state.
SB 5599 - Supporting youth and young adults seeking protected health care services.
SB 5651 - Concerning equity and environmental justice in the growth management act.
SJR 8202 - Amending the Constitution to address reproductive freedom.
You can find a full list of the bills we are watching in the 2023 session through this link.

The LGBTQ and ally community in Washington has several ways to be involved in advocating for issues that are important to us. Here are some tools you can use:

Washington State LGBTQ Legislative Caucus

Contact Your Legislator

Find Your Legislator: Enter your address to find your current legislative and congressional district.
Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 1-800-635-9993). Callers to the Hotline can leave a brief message for their district legislators, Governor or Lt. Governor on issues of concern or on questions they may have about bills or laws. For non-English speaking callers, the Hotline offers interpreter services for many languages.
E-mail: Click a legislator’s name to go to the e-mail form for that legislator
Visiting the Legislature: Information about directions, parking, Capitol Campus activities and events, and tours.

Bill Information

Bill Information: Find out the latest information on a piece of legislation.
Legislative Process: Learn how a bill becomes a law.
How to Testify in Committee: Your opportunity to testify comes at the committee hearings. If you cannot appear before a committee, contact your legislator making your position on a bill known.
TVW: Washington’s public affairs network, providing gavel-to-gavel coverage of Washington State Legislature sessions and coverage of the Washington State Supreme Court and public affairs events.

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.