A Note from the Director
Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! Stay plugged in this month as we share history, fun facts, and important moments throughout our movement. Understanding our history is key to knowing what has been accomplished over time. For my fellow history nerds, check out this resource from the National Park Service – LGBTQ Heritage Theme Study.
"Much of the existing scholarship on LGBTQ history in America focuses on white, middle-class, largely male, urban communities. These are important histories, but for structural and cultural reasons, they have become the main story (dominant narrative) that people think about when they think about LGBTQ history. Authors of the theme study were asked specifically to broaden their narrative to include other communities that fall under the LGBTQ umbrella. Inclusion, however, isn’t enough to describe the geographic, economic, legal, and other cultural factors that shaped these diverse histories. In response, we commissioned chapters providing broad historical contexts specifically for two-spirit, transgender, Latino/a, African American, and Asian American communities (as well as those who live in Rural areas, presented in the Places section of the theme study).
These chapters, read in concert with the chapter on Intersectionality, serve as examples of how limiting an exclusive master narrative is and how rich a multi-faceted narrative is when considering the full history of the United States." - NPS LGBTQ Heritage Theme Study
So much of this history has also played out politically. Democracy is a dynamic mechanism to achieve freedom from oppression and autonomy. Though an imperfect system, it is one that is continuously evolving. That evolution can only happen when people engage and participate. The Victory Institute released an important study in June of 2024, Out for America, about LGBTQ+ elected officials in office around the country.
"Since the first Out for America report was released in 2017, LGBTQ+ representation in elected office has increased between 5.8 and 25 percent each year. Yet LGBTQ+ people remain extremely underrepresented in elected office, holding just 0.25 percent of elected positions in the United States...38,193 more must be elected to achieve equitable representation in government."
We are on a positive and rapid trajectory in achieving more representation, which is exciting. It is important to vote for all elected offices on every ballot; primary and general elections. Local offices impact our daily lives more than state and federal ones. In order to move the needle that requires folx to vote and vote often.
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Some elected offices to pay attention to and be informed about:
- City or Town Councils
- County Councils
- Judicial Offices
- School Boards
- Port Commissions
- County Executive
- Sheriff
- County Assessor
- Park Commissions
- State Representatives and Senators
- Attorney General
Representation in all of these offices matter. Having people serve in these roles who look like us, have shared lived experiences, and who's families and relationships look like ours inform decisions, policy, funding, resources, and access. Every election matters. As we head towards November 5th, I have a two asks.
- Verify that your voter registration is up to date and correct. If you are a college student, please make sure your address is correct to be able to receive your ballot in time.
- ASK 5 people if they are registered to vote. If that's easy and quick, ask 5 more!
Achievements in LGBTQIA+ rights and protections have happened because our elders and queer ancestors fought for their rights and votes to matter in local, state, and federal elections for decades. The torch was picked up by the generations that followed and continues to today. The LGBTQIA+ community is made up of extremely diverse populations. Voting is a powerful way for us to show up for one another and keep advancing the movement. If you have any questions about voting in Washington, check out this helpful Fact Sheet or head to www.sos.wa.gov.
Let's keep making history!
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 Lisa Keating, Executive Director - Washington LGBTQ Commission
Upcoming Commission Events
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission will host their October Public Meeting at Fort Worden Historical State Park on Friday, October 18th from 10:00am-5:00pm, with public comment beginning at 4:30pm. The public is welcome to attend in person and public comments will be received both in person at the meeting or in writing prior to the meeting. If you would like to submit a public comment, please direct it to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov. 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. Please visit our website for specific location details.
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The Commission continues their weekend in Jefferson County with our LGBTQ History Month event, planned by our newly formed Communications and Community Outreach Committee and Intergenerationality Committee.
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission invites you to “Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: LGBTQ Plenary”! This event in Port Townsend, WA, will be featuring a panel discussion to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ History Month and center the voices and experiences of our Commissioners and Youth Advisory Council members. Please use the QR code or head to our website to register & receive location details.
If you have questions about either of these events, please reach out to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov and Commission staff are happy to help.
We are so excited to meet with community members in Jefferson County. Special thank you to our very own Port Townsend Commissioner, Jason Victor Serinus, for all of his work not only in his community, but far beyond!
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Highlights & Happenings
Commission Staff Tour UTOPIA, WA and Oasis Youth Center
In September, LGBTQ Commission staff had the opportunity to visit two organizations to see our Commissioners in action: UTOPIA Washington and Oasis Youth Center. We deeply appreciate these organizations for inviting us into their spaces to see the essential work they do for our community.
UTOPIA Washington, or United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance Washington, "is a queer and trans people of color-led, grassroots organization" located in Kent, WA, that works to build a safe space for the QTPI - Queer and Trans Pacific Islander - community.
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Their work is expansive, with services including community and cultural organizing, peer support, citizenship access, food access, and their Mapu Maia Clinic. WA LGBTQ Commissioner Amasai Jeke is the Program Coordinator for Systems, Policy, Environmental & Cultural Change at UTOPIA. We encourage you to check out UTOPIA's website to learn more about their amazing work! |
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Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma is the only organization for LGBTQ+ youth in Pierce and surrounding counties. Their services include over 30 hours of weekly programming, with leadership opportunities like their Youth Council, Project 13, and events throughout the year like Queer Prom, QTIPOC Retreat, Home for the Holidays and so many more.
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Commissioner Michelle Kelly-Barroga serves as the Deputy Director for Oasis Youth Center and once attended Oasis programming as a youth themselves. Take a look at Oasis Youth Center's website to learn more about their work with queer youth in Tacoma.
Thank you again to Oasis and UTOPIA for inviting us for a visit!
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Youth Advisory Council Highlighted in Governor Inslee's Last Results Washington Public Performance Review
Results Washington is a state agency that works to improve state government through tracking how the state is doing in achieving priority outcomes, delivering statewide data to leaders, fostering collaborations between state partners, and much more. Just one of the ways Results WA measures progress is through their Public Performance Reviews, or PPRs for short. PPRs are monthly meetings with the Governor where state leaders, experts, individuals with lived experience and more come together to report the status of progress being made in relation to the Governor's top priorities.
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On September 26th, Results WA hosted the last PPR for this year, and the last PPR with Governor Inslee as Governor. This month's theme was Community Engagement, and panelists from the Washington State Women's Commission, Office of Equity, Arts Commission, Department of Archaeological and Historical Preservation, and Commission on Hispanic Affairs all share updates about the work they are doing across their agencies to engage with communities, especially those who have previously been left out of government conversations.
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At this PPR, Sam Fennell, Operations and Policy Manager and Mateo Acuña, Youth Advisory Councilmember, gave an update on the LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council and the work the Commission is doing to outreach to LGBTQ+ youth in the state. They highlighted the significant meaning and importance of Washington listening to and involving the youngest and most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community in policy decisions that directly impact them.
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We want to congratulate Sam and Mateo on their hard work putting this presentation together and a job well done! We highly encourage you to watch September's Public Performance Review on TVW here to see firsthand the importance and impacts of these community outreach efforts in our ability to serve the people of Washington. There is always room to improve and we are constantly looking for was to do so as we work to improve the lives of all people in Washington.
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Happy LGBTQ+ History Month!
LGBTQ History: LGBTQ+ Community Organizations in Washington
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission would not exist today if it weren’t for the tireless advocacy and dedication of community organizations. It was leaders from these very groups that banded together through grassroots advocacy to pressure the Legislature to create a Commission, similar to existing community-based Commissions, so that the LGBTQ+ community in Washington could have a direct voice in state government. LGBTQ+ community centers across Washington have been instrumental in providing safe spaces, resources, and advocacy for our community, helping to shape the landscape of equality and inclusion in our state.
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Today, we are proud to highlight a just a few of these incredible organizations and their historical contributions. We want to acknowledge that these are by no means the only groups doing this vital work—we are fortunate here in Washington that countless amazing organizations continue to support and uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with the same passion and commitment. For a full list of resources by county, please visit our resource guide here.
Over the decades, centers like Lambert House and Ingersoll Gender Center have played key roles in supporting queer youth and transgender individuals, and have influenced Washington's LGBTQ History greatly.
Lambert House, founded in the 1980s, has offered peer-led programs, social support, and advocacy for LGBTQ youth, while Ingersoll, founded in 1977, has been a national leader in transgender rights, offering healthcare resources, support groups, and legal assistance. These centers have evolved to become vital hubs for activism and comprehensive community services, addressing everything from healthcare access to youth development. As mentioned in our article above, UTOPIA and Oasis Youth Center have also made a significant impact on our state's queer history.
On the Eastern side of the state, organizations like Odyssey Youth Movement and Spokane Pride have been creating safe places for LGBTQ+ youth and adults to join in community and increase visibility. Odyssey Youth Movement, founded in 1992, provides youth programming, community education, and yearly youth pride celebrations. The same year, Spokane held their first Pride march, now held yearly by Spokane Pride. These organizations, and ones like them, are especially important in Eastern Washington, where it has often taken longer to receive recourse from anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and violence than places like Seattle.
Please join us in supporting our LGBTQ+ community centers and groups this LGBTQ History Month! These spaces have been instrumental in improving the lives of LGBTQ individuals in Washington, offering inclusive, affirming places that continue to shape the state's LGBTQ landscape.
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 In Their Words - Messages from the LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council
We are proud to feature articles written by our LGBTQ Youth Advisory Councilmembers. Want to learn more about the council? Head to www.lgbtq.wa.gov/YAC!
Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Latines
Mateo Acuña (he/him) - King County
Hispanic Heritage Month continues as we move into October! The national holiday runs from September 15th to October 15th—September 15th being the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua—and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latines in America.
Latines have been involved in LGBTQ+ rights since the movement’s inception. Sylvia Rivera, a Puerto Rican-Venezuelan trans woman, was a key player in the Stonewall riots, co-founder of the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), and lobbyist against discriminatory laws. Wilson Cruz was the first openly gay actor to portray a gay character on television. Angie Xtravaganza, featured in the documentary Paris is Burning, was the youngest House mother in her time and took in queer and trans Latines who had been turned away from their families. You can read more about them and other queer Latine icons at this great post by the Stonewall Foundation and a list of poetry book recommendations here!
I’ll end with a poem of mine, the last in my chapbook of poetry, Dear Spanish:
La Cosa con Plumas
When I started calling myself a man, I first thought
teakwood, tobacco, mahogany, whiskey, ash, and smoke—
before I found me in my soft-petaled citrus, cinnamon
and pastels, fuschia and leather heels, la cosa con plumas.
The Intersection of Neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ Identity
Felix Painter (he/they) - Spokane County
October is ADHD awareness month. ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurotype that differentiates from the “norm;” hence it being included in the term neurodivergent.
Though currently there is no specific percentage of how many people with ADHD are also queer, there are studies suggesting that neurodiversity has a higher prevalence in queer communities. Such as one study found that 75% of people with gender dysphoria also have ADHD (Yildirim 2017). It is thought that since neurodivergent people may already see the world differently and may already question societies' norms more than the average neurotypical person; this may lead them to, whether consciously or not, question cis and heteronormativity.
As a queer teenager with AuDHD, I want to emphasize that neurodiversity is a disability and should be treated as one. ADHD can be debilitating, and it is not “just laziness.” Both the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities are minorities, and they both deserve recognition and equity in society.
Have you taken the WA LGBTQ+ Survey?
What better way to celebrate LGBTQ History Month than actually making LGBTQ history? The Washington LGBTQ+ Survey is here!
This first-of-it's-kind survey empowers LGBTQ+ Washingtonians to share their experiences to help us build a more inclusive and supportive environment for all LGBTQ+ people across the state. PLUS - Those who complete the survey will have a chance to win one of over 300 $50 gift cards in appreciation for your time and input.
Take the survey today, and share this with your LGBTQ+ friends and family!
For more information, head to www.walgbtqsurvey.com
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