Sawyer Tuttle just graduated from Washington State University Vancouver with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Political Science. They recently completed an internship with the Washington State Senate where they were introduced to the LGBTQ+ Commission, and they are very excited to continue their involvement in state government through this new role. Outside of work, they enjoy board and video games, live music and spending time with their partner, Ally, and their two cats.

“I am excited to see the Commission staff expanding and thrilled to welcome Sawyer and their passion for LGBTQ advocacy,” said Commission Director J. Manny Santiago. “We had several great candidates, which is always a great thing. Sawyer impressed us with their commitment to advocacy, their understanding of the realities of our community, their professionalism, and their experience in areas that will greatly benefit the Commission.”

When asked what they are looking forward to the most in their new role, Sawyer said, “I am very excited to see more of the state! I only moved to Washington a few years ago and have yet to explore as much as I would like, so I am looking forward to meeting and connecting with LGBTQ+ communities across the state through events like town halls and public meetings.” They continued, “it is empowering and encouraging to know that our state is willing, and more importantly wanting, to listen to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. By providing guidance and consult to the governing bodies in Washington, the Commission aims to give our community a louder and more powerful voice, which I find really important."

The WA State LGBTQ Commission looks forward to working with Sawyer and to continue growing as we serve our communities in the state.

"One Community, Many Faces” has been announced as the theme for the 2023 Pacific Northwest Black Pride (PNBP), scheduled to take place August 9-13 in Seattle, Washington.

The theme is a testament to our principles of being unapologetically Black in our positioning, where we are committed to collectively and courageously working for freedom and justice for all Black LGBTQIA+ people. 

Celebrating our 6th year of the PNBP weekend celebration. We are bringing you four eventful days of fostering inclusion and advancing equity within the Black LGBTQIA+ community of the greater Pacific Northwest area.

For a complete schedule of events, please visit this link.

This two-day event will connect certified small businesses with corporate and government entities in order to explore opportunities to do business together. Day One, in person, includes learning opportunities and a Pitch Competition where the winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 NGLCC Conference (conference fee, hotel and airfare) courtesy of Wells Fargo. To qualify, you must be a GSBA member, LGBTQ Certified or in process of certification.

Details, registration, and more information through this link.

A total of $1.5 million will be distributed to community organizations serving communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Organizations may receive up to $40,000 for projects that help improve equitable access, distribution, and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, health information, and prevention resources as well as community capacity building and mobilization to advance health equity by addressing the structural and social determinants of health amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Interest forms for project funding are due by Aug. 28 and must meet certain criteria.    

For complete information about the funding, eligibility and how to submit an interest form, visit Building Community Capacity for Equitable COVID-19 Recovery.  

Please share this opportunity with your networks, community partners, and anyone else who might be interested. 

Questions? Contact Kylin Beeson, Equity and Social Justice Strategist, kylin.beeson@doh.wa.gov for more information. 

If you live in Pierce County, are part of the LGBTQ+ community and are age 50 or more, Tacoma Older LGBT wants to hear from you.

The organization wants to hear what your vision for aging looks like, whether you believe that resources exist locally to help you age successfully, and what services are missing to support you as you get older. The 2023 Older LGBT+ Needs Assessment Survey is very short and is completely anonymous unless you choose to share your contact information.

Thanks to Tacoma Older LGBT’s partners Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources and PCAF for their input and feedback.

You can take the survey by going to this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2SGPJPW

Commerce is seeking proposals from qualified LGBTQ+ competency trainers who can provide expert training to Housing Division staff, grantees, and partners. The training will cover a range of topics related to LGBTQ+ identities, issues, and challenges, and should equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to support and serve LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in a sensitive, respectful, and inclusive manner. 

Responses are due Sept. 8, 2023, 5 p.m. Pacific Time

Download the RFQQ (Word)

Washington State’s Department of Children Youth and Families, in collaboration with Kauffman and Associates Inc., is holding gathering sessions with external stakeholders to better understand the existing service landscape and unmet needs for six different populations of children, youth and families. We are holding a gathering session with Tribal Partners to discuss AI/AN populations. The five population gathering sessions we would like you to consider attending are:

1) Hispanic and Latino

2) Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI)

3) Black and African American

4) Immigrants and refugees

5) Non-English primary language/American Sign Language (ASL)/Sign language/limited English proficiency (LEP)/families using interpretive services

One gathering session will be held for each of these groups. Please note that we will also discuss LGBTQ+ population needs, particular to that group, at each gathering session.

The gathering sessions will be 90 minutes each and will be held virtually in August. They will be organized and moderated by consultants from Kauffman and Associates, Inc.

To register for individual Gathering Sessions, click on the Registration Link below:

Questions? Please contact Leigh Hayden, Kauffman and Associates Inc. at leigh.hayden@kauffmaninc.com.

Martha Shelley, who organized the first protest march in New York City after the 1969 Stonewall Riot and helped found the history-changing Gay Liberation Front, will read from her new memoir, We Set the Night on Fire (Chicago Review Press), in the Pink House of the Port Townsend Public Library, 1220 Lawrence St., at 6:30 on August 9^th. Discussion will follow.

The daughter of Jewish refugees and undocumented immigrants in New York City, Martha Shelley grew up during the Red Scare of the late 1940s and 1950s. After coming out at a time when homosexual acts were illegal, she became the public speaker for the New York chapter of the historic lesbian rights group, the Daughters of Bilitis.

Immediately after the beginnings of the Stonewall Riot on June 28, 1969, Shelley seized upon the history-making nature of the rebellion against police brutality and homophobia to organize the first post-Stonewall LGBTQ protest march. That march took place on July 27, 1969. At the same time, she joined with others to found the Gay Liberation Front. Some who were present at the meeting where GLF was born credit her with coining the name of the organization.

As autonomous Gay Liberation Front chapters began to spring up around the United States and abroad, Shelley coproduced the GLF newspaper, Come Out! and played a central role in the Lavender Menace action to confront homophobia in the women’s movement. A poet and novelist, she has authored numerous seminar essays on gay and feminist issues, including "Gay Is Good" and "Notes of a Radical Lesbian.”

Ever the organizer, even as she approaches 80, Shelley will lead a discussion following the book signing. She will ask, “With everything we fought for under attack, where do we go from here? What should be our priorities?” The evening promises to be equally enlightening and productive.

Books will be available for purchase and signing. Due to health concerns, masks are requested.

For those who cannot make the Port Townsend event, Shelley will also present a book reading / signing / discussion in Seattle at Elliott Bay Books, 1521 10^th Ave, on Tuesday August 8 at 7 pm.

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.