Entre Hermanos is a Seattle-based organization whose mission is “to promote the health and well-being of the Latino Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and questioning community in a culturally appropriate environment through disease prevention, education, support services, advocacy and community building”. Entre Hermanos offers services such as HIV testing and PrEP navigation, free immigration clinics, voter registration, yearly programs, events and more. You can learn more about Entre Hermanos on their website or on Facebook.

SOMOS Seattle “is an organization for LGBTQ Latinx folks. Their goal is to build an active community, share resources and foster spaces for learning & growth”. SOMOS also puts on yearly events, such as Seattle Latinx Pride, and provides scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors in the Mulkiteo school district. You can find SOMOS on their website or on Facebook.

We would like to encourage you to support, engage with, and share these organizations with others as we work towards a Washington that is more equitable for everyone.

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: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Columbia Room Legislative Building, Olympia

Also check out the Love Equally Online Exhibit!

You’re invited to the 2023 RAIN Outstanding Agency Awards event! This year’s event will be hybrid, in-person and over Zoom. No registration required! If you are joining online, please use the RAIN General Membership Zoom link on your Outlook calendar.

Thank you to our sponsoring agencies: AGR, DOR, DES, DFI, DOC, DOL, ECY, L&I, WSDOT, ESD, PSP, DSHS, DRS, WSP, OIC, Equity, LCB, OFM, MIL, OII, DAHP, and WATECH!

Date: October 19^th, 2023

Time: 2-4:00 pm

Location: Labor & Industries Auditorium – 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Entre Hermanos invites you to celebrate their 32-year anniversary at the Día De Muertos Gala! Honoring beloved ancestors and continuing the fight for LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights! Since 1991 Entre Hermans has promoted the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Latinos in Washington State through medical case management, legal services, civic engagement, and community building. The event will have artist performances, a live auction, prizes, and much more! All event proceeds of this Gala benefit the health and well-being of the Latino LGBTQ+ Community.

Date: October 28^th, 2023

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Seattle Renaissance Hotel

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. 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. 
• 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.

November 7^th, 2023

8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Venue TBD, South Seattle Metro Area

King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Anti-Defamation League’s Pacific Northwest Office are presenting the 2023 Public Safety Summit on Hate Crimes. KCPAO invites law enforcement and community partners to share ideas and feedback so we may provide an improved response to individuals and communities impacted by hate crimes. Coffee and lunch will be provided. Kindly RSVP to sarah.cranfill@kingcounty.gov.

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.