During the September public meeting of the WA State LGBTQ Commission, the Commissioners adopted the following Values Statement:

As public servants committed to advancing equity and fostering liberation for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people, we embrace humility, compassion, diversity, collaboration, respect, and joy in our work. We pledge to honor public involvement, community accessibility, and to listen and proactively center the needs of the most marginalized members of our community.

In July, Commissioners took time to reflect on the values from which the LGBTQ Commission operates. Respect for diversity, accessibility, collaboration, compassion, humility, respect, and joy were selected as the lens through which Commissioners will approach their work. After reviewing several drafts of statements presented by Commissioner Serinus using all the values selected, Commissioners adopted the version published here. It is important for the Commission to be in collaboration with our communities and with state agencies to transform the way in which government works. As Washington state continues its way to become an anti-racist state in all aspects of state government, this Values Statement reflects the desire of the LGBTQ Commission to publicly reaffirm our commitment as a state agency to use an equity lens for our work.

In addition to the adoption of a Values Statement, the Commission also discussed ideas on how to address some of the major current threats to LGBTQ Washingtonians rights. During this time, Commissioners discussed strategies to support public and school libraries experiencing efforts to ban books with LGBTQ content; school boards’ attempts to misinterpret OSPI guidelines regarding support for LGBTQ and particularly trans, students to out them without their consent; and specific needs of LGBTQ elders.

Finally, Commissioners welcomed staff from Partners in Prevention Education (PiPE) in Olympia. PiPE’s mission is to “partner with houseless, street-dependent, and marginalized survivors to reduce harm, provide opportunities to heal from trauma, fight systemic oppression and build lasting connections for our community.” Executive Director Charlia Messenger shared about the many resources PiPE offers to the community, and the work they are doing to support trans and gender expansive youth experiencing houselessness. The second guest was Senior Policy Advisor for Civil Rights and Racial Justice, Dontae Payne, who shared with the Commission hir role as a conduit between the Office of the Governor and the LGBTQ Commission.

The next public meeting of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission is scheduled for Friday, November 17th in Whatcom County.

October is LGBTQ History Month, a time to celebrate milestones in civil rights and the work of those who made them possible. The Washington State LGBTQ Commission and Legacy Washington, authors of Love, Equally: The Journey to Marriage Equality, invite you a panel discussion commemorating ten years of same-sex marriage in Washington. Our panelists will reflect on how marriage equality was won, share lessons learned from the movement, and demonstrate how those lessons are applied to today’s battles for civil rights in the LGBTQ community.

Date: October 9, 2023
Time: Noon – 1:30 pm
Location: Columbia Room Legislative Building, Olympia
Also check out the Love Equally Online Exhibit!

The Latino Leadership Network is pleased to announce that registration for the Latina Health Symposium is now open. Although the event is free, registration is required for attendance.

WA State Latina Health Symposium Registration

We are transitioning back to in-person events. As in the years before the pandemic, we will host one symposium in Western Washington and another in Central Washington during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Join us on Friday, September 22, from 8:30 AM to 3 PM at KDNA/NW Communities Education Center in Granger, WA.

If you're interested in becoming an exhibitor or sponsor, please complete this form.

The Office of Equity has contracted with RTI International, a non-profit research organization, to conduct a study of Washington State Patrol related to workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The purpose of this study is to develop agency-specific strategies for pro-equity anti-racism practices, policies and procedures that improve agency programs and services and reduce disparities across the agency. As part of this initiative, RTI will conduct in-person and virtual community listening sessions to solicit feedback from groups that are underrepresented in the WSP workforce. We hope someone from your organization will consider participating!

Please know that your participation in the listening session is confidential no information or thoughts you share will be directly attributed to you in any reports received by WSP or the Washington Office of Equity. RTI will produce a report that provides only aggregated summary results of the listening sessions, and statements will not be directly attributed to specific participants. Participation is voluntary and will last about 90 minutes. To thank you for taking the time to participate in the listening session, in-person sessions will provide complimentary refreshments and snacks. If it is requested, childcare will also be provided for the duration of the listening session. All participants, in-person and virtual, will be compensated for their time.

 Listening sessions will be held at the times and dates below. If you are interested in participating in a listening session, please access the registration form at WSP DEI Community Listening Sessions Registration Form.

1. September 19: Virtual session. 3:30-5:00pm.
2. September 18: SeaTac, African Community Housing & Development, 16256 Military Rd South Suite 107. 5:30-7:00pm.
3. September 25: Yakima, Central WA University, room TBD. 4:00-6:00pm.
4. October 2: Spokane, Equity & Community Inclusion Center (at the Resource Center of Spokane County) (tentative). 4:00-6:00pm.
5. October 9: Bremerton, location TBD. 4:00-6:00pm.

We value your perspective and input and look forward to using the results of this survey to improve DEI strategies in the Washington State Patrol. If you have questions about the Community Listening Session or overarching project, please contact RTI International (wspcommunity@rti.org).

MultiCare Health Systems invite bisexual women of color in Washington state to consider joining their THRIVE Community Steering Committee.

Joining the THRIVE Community Steering Committee involves:

• Committing to a two-year term that includes participating in eight meetings per year. Our first meeting will be held September 20, 2023, from 5:30-6:30 pm.
• Co-creating approaches to improve bisexual Women of Color’s representation in maternal health research, so no one gets left behind.
• Contributing to the development of an anti-racist, bisexual-affirming maternal health toolkit for maternal health providers and birth workers.

To make meeting attendance easiest for a wide group of people, MultiCare Health Systems will hold all meetings virtually. Our team can help identify community spaces with free computers and WIFI access as needed. Members will be provided $75 as compensation after every meeting attended.

Those interested in becoming THRIVE Community Steering Committee members and/or learning more can reach out to Deana Williams, the study lead, at deana.williams@multicare.org or complete the intake form at https://redcap.link/JoinThrive.

September 28-30, 2023

Greater Tacoma Convention Center and Partially Virtual

This conference brings together community organizations and advocates alongside legal professionals to develop a shared vision and learning space to demand justice from legal systems. The conference theme, Shifting Justice Towards Accountability and Trust, is a pledge by those working within the legal system to be accountable to and build trust with the communities with whom we aim to partner. In the end, we hope conference attendees and presenters will walk away with a shared belief that we can effect change, recognizing our own power, and validating the leadership of the community. Learn more here.

This will be our first-ever hybrid conference. The in-person option will be at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and we will stream some of the sessions for remote participants. When you register you will be asked to select in-person or virtual participation.

📢 Attention Virtual Attendees: Sort the agenda by the tag “Virtual” so you can see your options. There will be the opportunities to schedule your own virtual meetups so you can network and connect outside of sessions with fellow online attendees. 

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.

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.