April 2025 LGBTQ Commission Newsletter

A Note from the Director

I was thrilled to start the day by attending a historic event by the City of Tacoma Monday morning. The trans pride flag was raised on the Tacoma Dome for the first time. Oliver Webb, from Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound, partnered with Tacoma City Council member Olgy Diaz and the City of Tacoma to make history while surrounded by leaders from all across the city. It was a joyous moment that was born from a years-long partnership between trans leaders, community and city leaders rooted in a commitment to bettering the lives of trans individuals of all ages. (Image courtesy of City of Tacoma).  In the afternoon, Senators Manka Dhingra and Claire Wilson presented Senate Resolution 8642, a Transgender Day of Visibility Resolution. The Senate took this opportunity to publicly demonstrate their commitment to protecting the lives of trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse Washingtonians. Watch on TVW here.  In Senator Manka Dhingra opening remarks, she shared, “Transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse people are a part of every community in our state. They are our friends, our family members, our neighbors, and colleagues. And they too deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The trans community has been here for centuries. In the face of discrimination and hate they continue to fight for their rights. They have been at the forefront of the queer movement from the very beginning. And they are a community of resilience, strength, and inspiration... nobody who calls Washington home should live in fear for who they are, how they identify, who they love, or where they come from.”  Senator Claire Wilson said, "We are celebrating the lives, the contributions, and the joy of my trans brothers, sisters, and siblings from across Washington state. The transgender community has a rich and diverse history and has been at the forefront of the queer liberation movement since the Stonewall riots... we’ll continue to fight to protect our trans neighbors, our trans elders, our trans children, youth and emerging adults, and their families. To ensure that Washington remains a safe place for all to live, for all to thrive, and for all to be their true selves.”  In closing, Senator Marko Liias shared the importance of bringing in trans voices. In reading one quote from one of Senator Liias’ constituents, he read, “I worry on a daily basis about my future ability to live a normal, safe, and unremarkable life in this country. Having regular access to hormone treatments is a necessary part of living that life.” As their senator, I am pleased and honored to represent them.”  Moments like each of these come from relationships, whether personal, professional, or within our communities. Through the leadership of and the relationships with trans people, progress is made. As Senator Wilson proclaimed in her remarks about the trans community, "They were resilient in the past and refused to be erased. They will continue to be resilient and refused to be erased. We will continue to be resilient and refuse to be erased."

Lisa Keating, Executive Director - Washington LGBTQ Commission

"Trans people are extraordinary, strong, intelligent, persistent and resilient. We have to be. And we will not stand for the picking and choosing of rights. We still have hope."

— Sage Dolan-Sandrino, artist and activist  

Apply to be a Washington State LGBTQ Commissioner Today!

We accomplish the work of to improving the state’s interface with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, and intersex community by listening and engaging our community throughout the state with the support of 15 individuals, 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!  Everyone is welcome to apply, and 2SLGBTQIA+ 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 2SLGBTQIA+ people LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit members of Tribal Nations Disabled and neurodivergent 2SLGBTQIA+ people Active military servicepeople, veterans, or spouses Small business owners and entrepreneurs 2SLGBTQIA+ 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 this application form found on the Governor's Office of Boards and Commission's website or click the image to your right. 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. There is no application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis with final recommendations submitted in June. If you are interested, we encourage you to apply as fast as possible!  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 which can be found here.  If you have any questions about the Commissioner application process, please reach out to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov and a member of our staff will connect with you.

Pride Across Washington: Let Us Know About Your Pride Events!

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!

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.

• HB 1052: Clarifying a hate crime offense. 
  • HB Current Status: Passed House, Senate Status: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee 3/26
• HB 1186: Expanding the situations in which medications can be dispensed or delivered from hospitals and health care entities.
  • Current Status: Passed House, Senate Status: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading on 3/29
• HB 1296: Promoting a safe and supportive public education system. 
  • Current Status: Passed House, Senate Status: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM on 4/4 (Subject to change)
• SB 5490: Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law.
  • SB Current Status: Passed Senate, House Status: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM on 3/31
• HB 1971: Increasing access to prescription hormone therapy.
  • Current Status: Passed House, Senate Status: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM on 4/4 (Subject to change)
• SB 5179: Establishing a complaint process to address willful noncompliance with certain state education laws. 
  • Current Status: Passed Senate, House Status: Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM on 3/24
• SB 5181: Amending the parents' rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law.
  • Current Status: Passed Senate, House Status: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM on 3/31
• SB 5577: Concerning Medicaid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs.
  • Current Status: Passed Senate, Passed House, Senate President and House Speaker Signed. Delivered to Governor on 4/1

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!

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission has compiled the following state agency statements that might relate to the 2SLGBTQIA community.

• Washington State Governor's Office
  • Governor Ferguson signs Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation (March 31. 2025)
• Washington State Attorney General's Office
  • Know Your Rights - Gender Affirming Care
  • AGs warn against potential new passport application rules targeting trans individuals (March 17. 2025)
• Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • State Superintendent Chris Reykdal's Updates on Federal Authority and Actions (March 6. 2025)
    • Minutes 7:15-9:14 discuss Diversity Equity and Inclusion and 9:15-10:19 he addresses transgender youth in athletics and what the recent federal executive orders mean for WA youth.
  • OSPI Press Conference (March 13. 2025)
• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commission
  • See Commissioner Kuderer's facebook reel wishing Washingtonians a happy Trans Day of Visibility! 

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!

Human Rights Youth Rally Recap

Ling Lomanog (they/them/she) - Kitsap County

There is a Human Rights Youth Rally that takes place every year on Olympic collage. I had done presentations in years prior, and this year I did a breakout session on “How To Advocate for LGBTQ+ Rights On A Political Level”. There I went into some of the worries that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community recently have and gave them a safe place to talk. We presented on how to contact your legislator and other ways to get involved in you community and state. There was about 27 people that attended the breakout session. The Rally itself was a great place to network and meet other people and advocates. There was advocates on food insecurity, diversity, education, LGBTQ+, disability, and so much more.

2SLGBTQIA Movie Recommendations

Emma Blue Esquivel (any pronouns) - Whatcom County

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

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 

Queer & Trans Trade Career Fair

Job-seekers, aspiring trade-workers, and community-members--We’re overjoyed to invite you to the Queer & Trans Trade Career Fair, taking place on April 13th from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Peer Seattle (1520 Bellevue Ave, Ste 100, Seattle, WA). The event will be held across two large open rooms, featuring dozens of tables hosted by unions, employers, and community organizations eager to connect with LGBTQ workers interested in their organizations and services. Please feel free to reach out to Peer Seattle's Housing/Employment Program Manager, Rosa (rosalita@peerseattle.org) with any questions regarding the event!

Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment - Disability Townhall Meeting

Improve the lives of Spokane County residents who experience disabilities.
Attend the Disability Town Hall Meeting to discuss:

• Issues affecting people who experience disabilities, their families, and advocates
• Accessible housing, transportation, and school-to-work transition
• Employment opportunities, services for people who experience disabilities, and physical access to the built environment
• Local success stories and your ideas for positive change

ASL interpreters and CART will be provided. If you have specific reasonable accommodations such as tactile or close vision interpreters, foreign language interpreter or others, please include that on your registration form or email us at esddlgcde@esd.wa.gov by March 28th. To register in advance and receive the Zoom link, please use the registration link. If you’re planning to attend in person, it would help our planning if you could let us know at the same link or email, but if you’re not able to do that, please come anyway and feel free to bring a friend.

April 2025

• Autism Awareness Month
• Celebrate Diversity Month
• April 2nd: World Autism Day
• April 4th:Day of (No) Silence
• April 6th: International Asexuality Day
• April 21-27th: International Lesbian Visibility Week
• April 22nd: Earth Day
• April 26th: Lesbian Visibility Day

Monthly Upcoming Appointment Opportunities:

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse Washingtonians who all have unique talents, skills and experiences. Governor Ferguson 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 Ferguson 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.

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 contact@lgbtq.wa.gov

Have something you want to share in our newsletter?  Please send any submissions to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov.

Deadline for all submissions is the last Tuesday of the Month at 12:00 Pacific Time.

Published the first Wednesday of every month.