A Note from the Director
I have thought a lot about femininity and what constitutes as feminine in the environment we find ourselves in, a point in history when we are witnessing the legacy, leadership, and accomplishments of women be removed and erased. For many, again, for others, they have always been subjected to erasure. For Black and Brown women, whether trans or cisgender, this is a perpetual state of being.
Femininity is not confined or limited. For generations, societal definitions of femininity have been challenged and resisted. Like a flower that grows through a crack in a sidewalk, under an environment that would seem impossible to flourish in. The beauty of femininity is that there are unlimited ways to express and identify one’s womanhood personally and professionally.
I know women who are bridge mechanics, forest rangers, army medevac nurses, computer engineers, judges, welders, longshoremen, farmers, owners of construction companies, truck drivers, and caregivers. The ways I learn about how women move through the world constantly inspire me.
Femininity has taught me tenacity, authenticity, compassion, resilience, ingenuity, and power. Join me in celebrating all the ways femininity can inform and shape your life. Lift up the stories of our trans women and gender non-conforming leaders and change makers. Take time to learn from the wisdom of Black women throughout history. Thank the women in your life who have influenced you. Make sure their contributions and impact continue to make their way to the light.
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 Lisa Keating, Executive Director - Washington LGBTQ Commission
"History isn’t something you look back at and say it was inevitable. It happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities."
— Marsha P. Johnson
📢Public Meeting Announcement📢
On Friday, March 14th, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission will convene for their second public meeting of 2025. We hope you are able to find some time join us to hear more about Commission work, and we highly encourage 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals around the state to tune in and share public comment with us, in-person or virtually, during the meeting at 4:30pm. For more information on in person location, remote attendance, and more, head to our website at lgbtq.wa.gov.
What is public comment?
The public comment portion of our public meetings is a time for individuals to share their experiences as a 2SLGBTQIA+ person in Washington.
Here are some important things to know about public comment:
- Written comments can be received prior to the meeting. Please email your comment to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov. Please include your name and organization affiliation, if applicable.
- Public comments will also be received live either in-person or via Zoom. If you are in-person, there will be a sign in sheet. If you are attending virtually, there will be digital sign in shared in the chat.
- Public comments will be limited to 1-2 minutes, determined by number of individuals signed up to speak.
- Each individual can only give one public comment per meeting.
- Commissioners are not expected to respond to public comments during the meeting, but instead direct comments that merit action to their relevant committees.
- All public comments must be respectful. The Commission reserves the right to limit the time of public comments for individuals who use vulgar or derogatory language.
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Louder Together: Intersectionality in Uncertain Times
Save the date! Women's identities are not one-dimensional, and their experiences are layered, complex, and intersecting. For Women's History Month, Washington State's Community-Focus Commissions and the Office of Equity are hosting a panel discussion to spotlight the importance of intersectionality in coalition-building, community support, and systems change.
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 26 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Format: Zoom Webinar – Panel Discussion
Accessibility: ASL Interpretation will be available. To request accommodations and submit questions for our panel, fill out this survey!
For the latest information and webinar link, head to our events page. No registration is required!
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Pride Across Washington: Let Us Know About Your Pride Events!
Can you believe it is already March? That means we are quickly approaching pride season! We are so lucky in our state to have SO many communities that celebrate pride every year, and every year there are more and more events that celebrate and uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Each year, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission compiles a list of all of the different pride parades, festivals, and events happening across Washington for our Pride Across Washington series. We feature them on our Events Calendar on our website, and across our social media platforms. If you have a pride event that you would like to have featured on our website, please fill out this form.
We are excited to see you around pride this year!
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Survey Update
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Our all-LGBTQ+ research team at Washington State University is hard at work analyzing the results from the first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+ statewide survey that was launched last June and closed at the end of January.
The full findings of the survey will be shared in a report that will be released in June 2025! Make sure you stay tuned in & following the LGBTQ Commission and WA LGBTQ Survey social media accounts!
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 LEGISLATIVE UPDATES - Please head to lgbtq.wa.gov/2025session to see a full list of the bills that the Commission is actively tracking and monitoring! This website page is updated every weekday by 10AM PST.
Here are just a few of the bills we have categorized as priority legislation. Legislation categorized as priority includes bills that the Commission has been informed about and engaged with prior to/during the legislative session or directly pertain to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Washington. These are presented in no particular order. Please Note: Legislation listed here does not reflect the WA State LGBTQ Commission's support or opposition to any legislation. This is for educational purposes only.
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HB 1052: Clarifying a hate crime offense.
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HB Current Status: Passed House, Referred to Senate Law & Justice Committee on 2/17
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HB 1262: Updating the governor's interagency coordinating council on health disparities.
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HB Current Status: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading on 2/11.
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HB 1296: Promoting a safe and supportive public education system.
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Current Status: Referred to Rules 2 Review on 2/3
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HB 1604/SB 5490: Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law.
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HB Current Status: Referred to Rules 2 Review on 2/21
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SB Current Status: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee on 2/19
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HB 1971: Increasing access to prescription hormone therapy.
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Current Status: Referred to Rules 2 Review on 2/28
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SB 5179: Establishing a complaint process to address willful noncompliance with certain state education laws.
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Current Status: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading on 2/28
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SB 5181: Amending the parents' rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law.
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Current Status: Passed Senate. First reading in House, referred to Education on 2/7
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SB 5577: Concerning Medicaid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs.
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Current Status:
First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness on 3/4
For more, visit our website here!
Are you looking to get involved this legislative session? Wanting to learn how to testify on bills that matter to you, or how to keep track of everything happening?
Look no further! The Washington State LGBTQ Commission has created a Legislative Toolkit full of helpful resources to understand all sorts of different ways to engage, so you can find what works best for you. We hope you find this is a helpful document if you are new or returning to session!
Click this link to download a copy!
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 The Washington State LGBTQ Commission has compiled the following state agency statements that might relate to the 2SLGBTQIA community.
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Washington State LGBTQ Commission
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Washington State Governor's Office
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Washington State Attorney General's Office
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Washington State Legislature
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Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commission
- See Commissioner Kuderer's facebook reel on how her office is supporting those seeking or providing gender affirming care. Also, check out their website for information on your right to gender affirming care.
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Washington State Department of Health
- The DOH has worked very hard to clear an extensive backlog of over 500 sex designation change requests and are now expediting sex designation change requests on birth certificates. People born in Washington state who want to change the sex designation on their birth certificate can do so by filing a request with DOH. The request will be processed in three business days - an expedited rate - plus delivery and mail time – link for more info here.
 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!
2SLGBTQIA Books - National Reading Month
Felix Painter (He/They) - Spokane County
When youth get to read about characters and experiences that are familiar to them, they feel more empowered to be their truest selves. Councilmember Painter compiled the following list of some of their favorite 2SLGBTQIA+ books.
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Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
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Damned If You Do by Alex Brown
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Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
- They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera
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Loveless by Alice Oseman
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Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Interested in learning more about what books can mean for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth? Check out this article from Harper Collins Publishing about the importance of representation in books for queer youth - The Benefits of LGBTQ+ Books for Kids.
Rally for Transgender Rights at the State Capitol
Mystix Flamer (Hy/Hym) - Pierce County
Hi! My name is Mystix, I use Hy/Hym Pronouns.
In Olympia, WA on February 17th, Presidents Day, I spoke out against the continued attacks on trans rights, disability rights, and people of color. I shared that people of color have always fought for their rights and how decades of work is rapidly being stripped away, not only from people of color but from queer, and disabled people. It’s harmful and shameful. I hope to continue to speak out, as I see myself as the voice for a lot of queer folks.
Something that I said in my speech is,
“I will not let someone that has a backward understanding of me dictate what I do with my uterus, or what I do to my body. We, as the people, will not let anyone choose how we care for ourselves.” and I stand by this statement, and as Nick Brown, our Attorney General had also said at this rally, “I will only stop caring when he stops breaking the law”.
The Importance of Trans Day of Visibility: Empowering Trans Youth
Desi Quenzer (She/They) - Yakima County
Every year on March 31st, Trans Day of Visibility, TDOV, serves as a powerful reminder to recognize and uplift transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary individuals. It is a day to celebrate their contributions, challenge harmful stereotypes, and advocate for a world where all trans individuals - especially trans youth - can live openly and authentically.
For many transgender young people, seeing positive representation of themselves can be life-changing. Visibility reassures youth that they are not alone and that a future filled with acceptance, love, and success is possible. However, many still face bullying, family rejection, discrimination, and mental health struggles due to a lack of understanding and support. Through increasing visibility, we create safer spaces where trans youth feel free to express themselves without fear of judgement or harm. When we celebrate Trans Day of Visibility, we help build a world where trans individuals feel empowered to be themselves. Visibility alone isn’t enough, but it is a powerful step toward inclusion, understanding, and equality. Every trans youth deserves to grow up knowing they are valued, supported, and have a place in society. Happy Trans Visibility Day! You matter.
 LGBTQ+ Veteran Ally Workshops
Join the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs for the LGBTQ+ Veteran Allyship Workshop Series!
YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs LGBTQ+ Veterans Program is offering no-cost workshops as part of the Ally Program. These are interactive sessions that prepare veteran service providers with information to better serve LGBTQ+ veterans and family members.
The program consists of 3 workshops:
- The LGBTQ+ Veteran Experience and LGBTQ+ Military History
- LGBTQ+ Program, Definition of Veteran, and Correcting Errors or Injustices
- Inclusive Practices
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Register now: https://www.eventsquid.com/event.cfm?id=27572 As a reminder, the state's definition of a Veteran has also been expanded to increase access to state benefits, learn more at: https://www.dva.wa.gov/definition-veteran
 March 2025
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Women's History Month
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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
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Bi+ Health Awareness Month
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National Reading Month
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March 1st: Zero discrimination day
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March 8th: International Women's Day
- March 10th: National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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March 17th - 21st : National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week
- March 20th: Nowruz
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March 20th: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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March 31st: Trans Day of Visibility
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