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August 19th, 2024 Newsletter
Connect with the Commission
A Message from Lisa Keating, Executive Director
Dear Community,
I want to start by expressing what an honor it is to be the next Executive Director of the WA LGBTQ Commission. I have dedicated the past fifteen years fighting for and advocating for LGBTQ individuals and families. As the extremely proud parent of a trans and queer daughter, our family has been on the front lines of changing opinions and misinformation about who trans youth are. Growing up, I did not have the language to articulate all of who I am, nor the visibility representation to inform me that there were others in the world like me. It took me a very long time to accept and embrace my bisexual and queer identity. Raising a trans child opened my world in the most beautiful and powerful ways. Authenticity and autonomy took on new meanings and perspectives. When one becomes a parent, there is much talk about unconditional love. My daughter broke my heart open to a depth of love I had never known before.
As I step into this new role, I am excited to listen and learn about the work that has been done, hear the needs of our community, and work together to meet those needs. I am indebted and grateful to Manny Santiago for his foundational leadership and contributions. I also want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Sheri Sawyer for her stewardship as the Interim Acting Director. We have much work to do. I am eager and ready to take the torch for the next chapter of the WA LGBTQ Commission.
With sincerity,
Lisa J. Keating (she/her)
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August Public Meeting Announcement
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission will host its August public meeting on Friday, August 23rd from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm and Saturday, August 24th from 9:00am - 12:00pm. This meeting will take place at the Helen Sommers Building on the Capitol Campus - 106 11th Ave. SW 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 at 11:30am on Saturday, August 24th, 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.
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LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council Summit Recap
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission recently hosted the inaugural LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council Summit at Seattle University. The event marked a significant milestone for the community as the first official convening of the LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council. This groundbreaking initiative promises to be a beacon of hope, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ youth in the region.
The week was filled with excitement and energy as youth council members from all across Washington gathered to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other. The sense of community and solidarity was palpable, creating an environment where everyone felt seen, heard, and valued.
One of the highlights of the summit was the two-hour round table discussion led by Senator Claire Wilson (LD 30). A respected advocate for LGBTQ rights, Senator Wilson engaged directly with the youth, listening to their concerns, aspirations, and ideas for the future. The discussion was an exchange of ideas, where the youth were encouraged to voice their opinions on critical issues affecting their lives. Senator Wilson’s presence underscored the importance of political support in the ongoing fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and the need for inclusive policies that reflect the diverse experiences of the LGBTQ community.
The formation of the LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council was a central focus of the summit. The council aims to provide a platform for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to participate actively in shaping policies and initiatives that directly impact their lives. This new body will serve as a bridge between youth and policymakers, ensuring that the voices of young 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are heard at the highest levels of decision-making. The council is expected to play a crucial role in advocating for the needs and rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, both within the educational system and the broader community.
The LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council Summit was more than just an event; it was a powerful affirmation of the strength and potential of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. With the launch of the LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council, the future looks bright for young people in the community, who now have a dedicated platform to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights. As this new chapter begins, there is a renewed sense of hope and determination to build a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Attention 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians! The WA LGBTQ+ Survey is LIVE!
The Washington State LGBTQ+ Survey is now LIVE!
This first-of-its-kind statewide survey aims to understand the characteristics and experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the state of Washington. The research is funded by the Washington LGBTQ Commission and is being designed for LGBTQ+ Washingtonians by LGBTQ+ Washingtonians by a queer research team at Washington State University. The LGBTQ Commission will use the findings to inform their policy recommendations to the Office of the Governor and the Washington State Legislature. Survey participants will be eligible for raffle drawings.
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit https://lgbtq.wa.gov/survey.
Follow our survey team’s social media! @walgbtqsurvey on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X
Happy Pride!
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Opportunities for the Community
OSPI Seeking Public Comment on Learning Standards
Periodically, the state is required to review and revise the state’s learning standards, which define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Following a year-long process of working with teachers, school and district leaders, and community partners, drafts of revised standards in English language arts, math, and science are now available.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is hosting two webinars to provide an overview and timeline of the standards review project. The webinars will be held on the following dates:
A recorded webinar will be made available on the Learning Standards Review webpage. Educators, students, families, and community members are encouraged to review the drafts in English language arts, math, and science, and provide their comments to OSPI through an online survey available from August 16 through September 13. We appreciate your partnership in supporting additional engagement and feedback to the revised learning standards.
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Inaugural GSBA Economic Development Conference
Be part of history at GSBA's inaugural Economic Development Conference in Seattle, where cross-community connections pave the way for shared prosperity.
GSBA proudly presents its inaugural Economic Development Conference, the first of its kind in Seattle! This premier event is dedicated to advancing supplier diversity and fostering equitable opportunities for all businesses, and best of all, it's FREE for participants this year.
The 2024 GSBA Economic Development Conference is THE signature event for business owners and professionals committed to advancing supplier diversity and creating equitable opportunities for all businesses.
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, networking over breakfast and lunch, and an LGBTBE 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 for the pitch competition, you must be a GSBA member and LGBTQ Certified or in process of certification.***
Day Two, also in person, features roundtable and one-on-one matchmaking, where you can explore opportunities with Corporate Procurement Partners and Government Agencies! Day two will also feature an all-day vendor pop-up showcasing businesses and services.
📅 Save the date! September 9 - 10, 2024
📍 Amazon "Arizona" Building, directions
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Opportunity for Bisexual Health Research
MultiCare’s team of BIPOC and queer researchers is leading paid conversations to explore bisexual Women of Color’s experiences across perinatal healthcare (healthcare during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum). Sharing your story can help advance health equity and reproductive justice for our community! All folks who participate will be compensated $50.
To learn more or sign up to participate, complete the interest form at https://redcap.link/ThriveInterview or reach out to Deana Williams at HealthEquityResearch@multicare.org.
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Interested in serving on Commissions and Boards? |
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Monthly Upcoming Appointment Opportunities:
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.
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Job Opportunities for LGBTQ Washingtonians
Check out the list of job opportunities for the community on our Careers Opportunities page by visiting this link.
We are excited to share job postings sent to the LGBTQ Commission. There are three requirements to be included on our page:
- The job needs to be able to be done in Washington State (virtual works)
- The business must have an inclusivity and/or equal opportunity statement
- The job posting must include a salary range.
Please send any job opportunity to share with the community to our Executive Assistant, Sawyer Tuttle (they/them), sawyer.tuttle@lgbtq.wa.gov.
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Have something you want to share in our newsletter? Please send any submissions to Sawyer Tuttle, Executive Assistant, at sawyer.tuttle@lgbtq.wa.gov
Deadline for all submissions is Thursdays by 12:00 PM Pacific Time.
Published Mondays.
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