Samuel Fennell (he/him) is a dedicated advocate and trainer, originally from Henderson, Nevada who has lived in Oregon and New Hampshire before finding home here in Olympia. Sam’s initial involvement in LGBTQ+ activism began during his undergraduate degree where he was the Coordinator for his university’s LGBTQ resource hub, the Stonewall Center, and discovered joy and delight participating in the annual Drag Show. Sam received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Western Oregon University, then studied Business Administration at Northeastern University, and will graduate with a Master’s in Public Administration from The Evergreen State college. Sam most recently served as the Trans & Queer Initiatives Coordinator for the BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Intersectional Support Services office at The Evergreen State College. Sam is passionate about transformative justice, equal access for all, and ensuring our communities are places where all queer people can thrive. Sam can often be found on the Sound, snowboarding down a mountain, or playing board games with his wife and friends. Here are some of Sam's words on his new position with the Commission:

Why did you want to apply for this role? The commission does important and necessary work creating a state in which LGBTQ+ individuals belong and thrive. Opportunities offered by the LGBTQ+ commission allow people like myself to take advocacy skills and knowledge to the state level. This job is an avenue to connect with other LGBTQ+ community members and be a part of creating comprehensive LGBTQ+ legislation. Working with college students in Washington, they are consistently looking for comprehensive policy that protects them and as a program manager I can utilize my public administration degree to create policy.

What are you excited about in this new role? I am excited to work with the diverse population of 2SLGBTQ+ in Washington State. This chance to build community and work with advisory councils to ensure the needs of the community are being heard, and creating legislation and goals that are in line with Washington State's 2SLGBTQ+ population is a constant motivation. I am also passionate and excited about conducting research and gathering data for the LGBTQ+ community.

What does the Commission mean to you as part of the LGBTQ community in WA? Being a transman myself, I deeply appreciate the existing protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in Washington, which played a significant role in my decision to reside in the state. The LGBTQ+ commission, to me, represents the embodiment of Washington's dedication to creating an environment where LGBTQ+ identities are not only acknowledged but valued as integral components of governmental decisions. I am excited to be a part of an organization that actively works towards building a state where LGBTQ+ individuals not only belong but can thrive.

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

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission will host its January public meeting on Friday, January 19^th from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, and on Saturday, January 20^th from 9:00 am – 12:00pm. This meeting will take place at the WA State LGBTQ Commission office, located at 905 Plum Street SE, Suite 300, Olympia, WA 98501. This will be an in-person public meeting with no live broadcast. The public can attend in person and public comments will be received both in person at the meeting or in writing prior to the meeting. If you want to submit public comments, please direct them to Sawyer Tuttle, Executive Assistant for the Commission at sawyer.tuttle@lgbtq.wa.gov.

Please note that the agenda and other materials for the meeting will be made available no later than 24 hours prior to the event through our website here.

We will also be hosting a legislative reception on January 19^th, 2024, from 6:30 – 9:00PM, Location TBD. More information to come soon!

The mission of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission is to improve the state’s interface with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, and intersex community, identify the needs of its members, and ensuring that there is an effective means of advocating for LGBTQ equity in all aspects of state government. We accomplish this work by listening and engaging our community throughout the state with the support of 15 members, appointed by the Governor, to serve for a three-year term as Commissioners.

If you are a resident of Washington, over 18 years old, and who identifies within the LGBTQ and Two Spirit community, you qualify to serve as a Commissioner! We are looking for people who understand the challenges facing the LGBTQ in Washington today, who are interested in shaping policy to support LGBTQ Washingtonians, and who can really commit to being present to advocate with and for the community. The WA State LGBTQ Commission offers stipends for qualified, appointed Commissioners according to the “Community Compensation Guidelines” adopted by the Office of Equity and found here. Everyone is welcome to apply, and LGBTQ Washingtonians with expertise or lived experience in these areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Rural communities and cities and towns outside of the I-5 corridor
• Older LGBTQ people
• LGBTQ and Two-Spirit members of Tribal Nations
• Disabled and neurodivergent LGBTQ people
• Active military servicepeople, veterans, or spouses
• Small business owners and entrepreneurs
• LGBTQ people of mixed, Desi, Black, Latina/o/x, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander racial and ethnic identities

If you are interested in being considered to serve as an appointed Commissioner, please fill out the application form found on the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions here. You can also nominate others to be considered. If you have applied in the past, were not selected, but want to be considered again, please fill out a new application.

The Washington State Women’s Commission is committed to promoting the economic empowerment and advancement of Washington women in high-paying careers with good benefits, including those where women are historically underrepresented. In implementing this commitment, the Women’s Commission partnered with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to gather feedback from women across the state on potential perceptions and barriers associated with pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Washington State Patrol is focused on diversifying its future workforce. This survey will help the recruitment and retention of staff in the agency and understand how women-identified persons view careers in law enforcement.  The information gathered from this anonymous survey will be used to develop recruitment strategies that target expanding gender diversity, accessibility, and creating public awareness of family-sustaining wage jobs within Washington State Patrol.

On behalf of the Women’s Commission and the Washington State Patrol, thank you for taking time to complete this anonymous survey. You can find the survey here!

Washington State’s Office of Equity is starting a three- year project with the Centre for Public Impact to reshape Washington State Government to be more relational, collaborative, and fair. We are committed to becoming a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

In January, we will begin the first 3-month phase of the project in collaboration with state leaders and community members to co-develop a shared vision, strategy, and leadership commitments for embedding equity and justice throughout Washington state government.

We need you! We seek 25 Community Members (referred to as "Community Validators") to co-create with. As a Community Validator you will participate in seven, one to one and a half hour virtual meetings between February and April 2024. In doing so you'll be in partnership with Washington State government leaders to grow the vision and strategy of Washington state government. The Centre for Public Impact will work with you and will compensate you for your participation and expertise.

To participate as a community validator you must:

- Live in Washington state

- Not be employed with the State of Washington

If you are interested in participating, please click this link: https://lnkd.in/eK5dWxf4 and add your information to this short form. Someone will then reach out to you.

Questions? Contact Sam Watson Phone: (919) 695-7275 Email: wep@centreforpublicimpact.org

Queerotica is a showcase of LGBTQIA2S+ artists and speakers celebrating diverse sexual expression and promoting healing. The event features 2D art, sculptures, and virtual projections, accompanied by speakers, intermittent music, and mood lighting, setting an inviting and sensual tone for the event.

Queerotica goes beyond the conventional boundaries of art exhibitions, offering a platform where the richness of LGBTQIA2S+ stories is celebrated through 2D art, sculptures, and virtual projections. This event is more than just an exhibition; it's a testament to the power of artistic expression in promoting healing and fostering a sense of community.

If you are interested in submitting your work or visiting the showcase, you can learn more on Capital City Pride’s website. They are accepting artist submissions now through January 26^th.

The Department of Health is launching a new online health resource for teens and young adults. 

Teen Health Hub WA (the Hub) is a new webpage on DOH’s website. DOH cocreated it with Washington teens and young adults, including members of DOH’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The Hub features a curated online directory of youth-friendly information and resources on behavioral health, primary care, navigating the health care system, sexual and reproductive health, and teen dating and violence prevention. Teens and young adults, parents and caregivers, and youth-serving professionals can use the new webpage to find easy links to health-related resources that have been vetted by experts at DOH and approved by the YAC.  

Over the next year, DOH will work with the YAC to expand the Hub. This will include adding more high-quality online resources, creating guides on health topics young people want to know about - like how to schedule a doctor's appointment - and developing an inventory of youth-serving resources in the state. DOH will also be adding content in Spanish, soon. 

Check it out at: Teen Health Hub WA | Washington State Department of Health   

The Attorney General’s Office is launching a statewide Youth Advisory Group for the HearMeWA Program. HearMeWA is a statewide program for receiving and responding to tips regarding risks or potential risks to the safety and well-being of youth, with plans to launch early 2024.

The purpose of the HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group is to get guidance from youth (who are lived experts) on how to make the HearMeWA program as effective as possible. Youth Advisory Group members will be compensated for their time and will provide meaningful input to the decision-making process to the HearMeWA program when it comes to branding, marketing and advertising, and accountability from the AGO Youth Program team and program feedback.

Youth will have the opportunity to:

• Be in conversations with their peers and make suggestions when it comes to the HearMeWA program in terms of its branding, marketing and advertising, scope of influence, accountability, recruitment, and program feedback.
• Gain leadership opportunities to facilitate and conduct meetings, compose notes, and hold the group accountable to the groups’ purpose and the community agreements.
• Become more conscious of and knowledgeable about community issues and the larger factors that affect their and others lives.
• Provide a youth perspective to the HearMeWA Program.
• Represent the HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group at events to create awareness about the program.

HearMeWA is looking for youth who are between the ages of 12-25 and are living in Washington State. Youth who are motivated and committed to learning and addressing issues related to youth, have a vision for the future and are not afraid to voice their opinions in a respectful way are highly encouraged to apply.

The deadline to submit an application is the end of the day, 1/1/2024. Applications will be thoroughly reviewed and applicants can expect to hear about their submission by January 22. After January 22, selected members will learn more about the group and its expectations, including: dates and times of meetings, roles and responsibilities, and more. Virtual meetings will occur quarterly on Tuesday evenings. HearMeWA plans to hold the first meeting in February 20, 2024.

Click this link for the youth application: https://www.research.net/r/youthadvisorygroupapplication

Please share this information with youth who would be interested in participating and with your networks. If you have any additional questions, please email the HereMeWA program at youthprogram@atg.wa.gov. Thank you!

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.