May 29, 2023 Newsletter
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Governor Inslee Signs Pride Month Proclamation
Olympia, WA -- Governor Jay Inslee, upon request from the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, signed the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Asexual, Aromantic, Queer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, and Intersex Pride Month. In light of the many anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this year at state legislatures throughout the country, and the systemic erasure of transgender and gender expansive identities by state legislatures, this ceremonial proclamation affirms Washington’s commitment to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Every year, some governing bodies in Washington – county councils, school boards, city councils, etc. – debate whether the Pride/Rainbow flag should be raised in their jurisdictions. 2SLGBTQIA+ organizers often asked if they can use this ceremonial proclamation as a tool to advocate for the raising of the Pride/Rainbow flag on their cities, towns, counties, and schools. However, a ceremonial proclamation does not provide any legal, governing authority. Nevertheless, it is an important symbolic gesture that shows the Governor’s and his administration’s commitment to recognize 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians.
Local organizers advocating for the raising of the Pride/Rainbow flag within their jurisdictions can refer to RCW 43.114.070, which reads:
“The legislature declares that:
(1) June of each year will be known as LGBTQ pride month;
(2) The fourth week in June is designated as a time for people of this state to celebrate the contributions to the state by LGBTQ people in the arts, sciences, commerce, and education; and
(3) Educational institutions, public entities, and private organizations are encouraged to designate time for appropriate activities in commemoration of the lives, history, achievements, and contributions of LGBTQ people.”
Thus, June is officially recognized in Washington as Pride Month, and the fourth week of the month is designated as a holiday time to celebrate and uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This language should suffice for local jurisdictions to recognize Pride Month and clarify any concerns they may have about the appropriateness of marking June as 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Pride Month is a recognized holiday time in Washington.
The text of the ceremonial proclamation reads as follows:
LGBTQ Pride Month Proclamation
Whereas, Washington State recognizes that one of its greatest strengths is the diversity of its people; and
Whereas, Washington State has a long standing tradition of upholding the dignity of the individual, supporting legal equality and fair treatment for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and ensuring that acts of discrimination and hatred will not be tolerated; and
Whereas, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, queer, two-spirit, non-binary, and intersex communities (LGBTQ) contribute to our state’s success and strengths in a great number of immeasurable ways; and
Whereas, the LGBTQ community continues to be a target of violence, harassment, and discrimination by many and yet continues to thrive through the support of LGBTQ-affirming spaces, agencies, and individual allies; and
Whereas, in 2023 over 400 anti-LGBTQ legislative bills have been introduced in 47 states, and legislation criminalizing drag performances, LGBTQ content in literature, transgender athletes, and access to age-appropriate gender affirming care for minors have been signed into law in 13 states, placing LGBTQ people of all ages in danger throughout the nation;
Whereas, the state of Washington has positioned itself as a safe place for LGBTQ people with expanded protections for all; and
Whereas, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, queer, two-spirit, non-binary, and intersex Washingtonians invite all people to join them during the month of June in celebrating the resiliency and contributions of the community;
Now, therefore, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim June 2023 as
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Asexual, Aromantic, Queer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, and Intersex Pride Month
in Washington, and I encourage all people in our state to join in celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion and equal protection under the law, and I further encourage people to join me in eliminating discriminatory policies and practices toward any culture, race, or group.
Save the Date for the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on the Capitol Campus!
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission, in collaboration with RAIN and the Office of the Governor, will host the annual Raising of the Pride Flag on the Capitol Campus to mark the beginning of 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month. The event will take place on the flagpole between the Capitol Building and Temple of Justice on Thursday, June 1st at noon.
Among the speakers for the event are:
- Commissioner KB Kelly-Barroga, Co-Chair WA State LGBTQ Commission
- Jasper Marino, Co-Chair Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN)
- Senator Emily Randall, D-26th Legislative District, member WA State LGBTQ Legislative Caucus
- Justice Mary Yu, Justice of the WA State Supreme Court
- Director J. Manny Santiago, Executive Director WA State LGBTQ Commission
- Governor Jay Inslee
More information and details can be found through our social media link here.
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