 Happy Pride from Governor Bob Ferguson!
 We are excited to share the above message from Governor Bob Ferguson wishing Washington a happy pride month! We can't wait to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians this June.
You can click on the image above or head to this link to watch the video!
A Note from the Director
We are living through a moment in time that is testing progress and resilience. History has shown time and again that the 2SLGBTQIA+ population will not go quietly into the night. There are endless points in history that have attempted to erase queer existence in the United States, and globally. What we are experiencing right now is not new. Progress that has been hard fought and won is being tested. Progress does not happen in a straight line, nor is it guaranteed. It must be protected and safeguarded.
Washington state has continuously worked to improve the rights and lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ people for nearly twenty years. We have some of the strongest laws in the country to protect your right to love who you love and be who you are. Because of these protections, it has fostered leadership at every level of government to proudly standup for the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals of all ages in our state. The current wave of federal attacks has galvanized us to not be idle.
Our resilience is embodied through pride. All across Washington, pride events, proclamations, and flag raisings are taking place. They represent a determination to live out our values unapologetically and honor the entirety of a person and the rich diversity within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. No executive order, hateful policy, or attempt to erase us will stop us from rightfully and proudly celebrating our dynamic history, courage, and tenacity.
 Lisa Keating, Executive Director - Washington LGBTQ Commission
"The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love – whether we call it friendship or family or romance – is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light."
— James Baldwin, writer and civil rights activist
🏳️🌈📢Pride Flag Raising Today at State Capitol!📢🏳️🌈
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Join us and Governor Bob Ferguson TODAY at 12:00pm at the flag circle between the Legislative Building (dome building) and the Temple of Justice to hear from 2SLGBTQIA+ speakers from the different branches of state government and raise the intersex-inclusive progress pride flag. Following the ceremony, join the WA LGBTQ Commission and the Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network for a reception and visit state agencies tabling with resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians. Not able to join us in person? Watch the ceremony live on TVW! Happy Pride, Washington! |
 What Pride Means to RAIN
Article by RAIN Leadership, Graphic made by Cres Perez
This year, we asked the Washington State Employees Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN) Business Resource Group what Pride means to them, and they did not disappoint. Their heartfelt responses evoked warmth, humanity, support, community, and self-love.
Pride holds deep significance. It stands for self-affirmation, dignity, and resilience. Zoey (she/they/any), Admin Liaison, describes Pride as “a stubborn, joyful persistence of people who always were and always will be—being as visibly and as loudly themselves as they wish to be, in spite of anything or anyone that might tell them otherwise.” Pride symbolizes the celebration of identity and love, as well as resistance to discrimination and oppression. It transcends barriers and inspires individuals to embrace their authenticity and stand tall in the face of challenges. As Nicklaus McHendry (he/they), Training Co-Chair, eloquently states, “Pride is the opposite of shame. Pride means becoming invulnerable to attacks on one's character based on identity, because that identity is something to be proud of, not ashamed of.”
For many, Pride is a movement fostering visibility, unity, and a sense of belonging. It highlights the vital importance of equality and acceptance. “Pride is a time to come together and celebrate our beautiful community. It’s a time to connect with one another and feel less alone. I love Pride because we can be our unabashed, true selves and meet all kinds of wonderful people!” shares Quinn Snow (he/him), Best Practices Subcommittee Co-Chair. Nicoli Dominn (they/them), Communications & Outreach Subcommittee Co-Chair, adds, “Pride means self-respect and self-determination as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It means celebrating my queer identities that make me both unique and like others. It’s a time for both community outreach and introspection—building bridges with others and caring for oneself.”
Pride is not limited to any single group or context. It can be deeply personal, reflecting one’s achievements, values, and the courage to remain true to oneself. McKenzie Grenz (she/they) Administrative Liaison says that Pride is, “finding a new, loving family and feeling at home in my own skin.” Kaity Cazares (they/them), RAIN Best Practices Co-Chair, shares, “Pride means embracing bravery, authenticity, and love as essential aspects of queerness, and celebrating these qualities as necessary for our collective liberation and healing.” Pride is both a communal and individual expression of empowerment.
Michelle Wieberg, Budget and Finance Manager, captures it beautifully in its simplest form, stating that Pride means “absolute love, support, and community.” Alison Mielke (she/her), RAIN Safe Places Subcommittee Co-Chair, calls allies to action, emphasizing, “Pride is an opportunity to let our LGBTQ+ community members know they are valued. As an ally, it’s important to show that simply saying you’re an ally isn’t enough. Being an ally means actively advocating for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. What can you do to help?”
If you’re interested in celebrating Pride with RAIN, join us! We will raise the Pride Flag over the Capitol on June 10th at 12:00 PM. Come listen to inspiring speakers and enjoy some light refreshments. We will also be tabling on June 28th during Olympia’s Pride Festival. Additionally, you can find us tabling with the LGBTQ Commission at Pride in Perry in Spokane on June 14th and at Spokane Pride on June 28th.
 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!
Remembering Why We Have Pride
Felix Painter (He/Him/They/Them) - Spokane County
During pride month, it’s not only important to remember all of the joyful moments in queer history, but also the hardships people went through for us to have a pride month in the first place.
In the 1960s, having a rebellion against a police raid wasn’t a novel occurrence, however, despite these previous occurrences, Stonewall is definitely the most well known today. The Stonewall Riots (or Uprisings, as preferred by the Stonewall Veteran’s Association), were a key event in the queer liberation movement; and they are the reason we have pride parades today.
The Stonewall Inn was a gay bar in Greenwich Village in the 1960s. Like all openly queer establishments at the time, it was raided often (due to the fact queer businesses couldn’t be granted liquor licenses, the police could easily get a warrant), so often that it was routine for customers to have drag shows in front of the bar as they waited for the police to finish the raid. During the more intense raids, police would line up customers and check if their clothing and expression matched their biological sex. Anyone they deemed to be “cross-dressing” would be arrested.
On June 28th, 1969, there was another police raid, but this time something was different. People who were there that night report everyone being more on edge. As police raided, the tension grew until something snapped. One customer (who is often credited as Marsha P. Johnson, but in an interview, she stated that she didn’t arrive at the establishment until the rebellion was well under way,) threw a brick through the window of the bar. This caused a chain reaction as more and more of the customers joined in on the riot. Police got trapped inside the bar, police car windows were broken, and general chaos ensued. Thirteen patrons and employees were arrested that night. The initial riot was over, but more of varying degrees happened over the following four days.
A year later, June 28, 1970, a rally was held on the street that ran in front of The Stonewall Inn. This event continues to be credited as the first pride parade. As word of the parade spread, more and more began happening around the country, starting with the west coast. Thirty years later, in 1999, former president Bill Clinton declared June as pride month.
Even though The Stonewall Uprisings only lasted five days, it had effects that we still see and celebrate to this day. So, while you celebrate pride this year, remember it’s difficult start and that you are carrying on these people’s legacies by rebelling against the people who try to erase us as they did them. But also remember to stay hydrated, to have fun, and that the Youth Advisory Council hopes you have a fantastic pride!
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 Pride Across Washington
This pride season, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission encourages you to get out in your local communities and show support to your 2SLGBTQIA+ community!
Over 85 pride events, including parades, festivals, and flag raisings are happening across our state this month. It is so inspiring to see so many people coming together to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ population.
If you are interested in seeing a calendar of pride events around Washington, head to the events tab on our website or click here. Stay tuned into our social media pages as we highlight pride events happening each week. We recognize that there are so many pride events that we might miss a few. Use this form to submit pride events to be put on our website!
Looking for some ideas of how to celebrate pride throughout the month?
Here are some ideas!
- Attend pride events all throughout the summer (hint: here in WA, we don't stop pride at the end of June!)
- Volunteer for or donate to a local 2SLGBTQIA+ nonprofit
- Read books by queer authors
- Support local 2SLGBTQIA+ small businesses
- Make pride-themed art, poetry, music, or anything creative
- Call a 2SLGBTQIA+ senior who has impacted you
- Organize a movie night full of classic 2SLGBTQIA+ films
- Make a pride playlist with queer anthems
- Contact your representatives about policies and laws that impact 2SLGBTQIA+ people
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 The Washington State LGBTQ Commission has compiled the following state agency statements that might relate to the 2SLGBTQIA community. These are agency statements that have been released since our last newsletter. To look at our previous newsletters, click here.
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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 Secretary of State
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Washington State Treasurer
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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commission
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Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands
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Office of the Washington State Auditor
 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈June 2025🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
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MONTH LONG:
- 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month
- Black Music Month
- National Caribbean-American Heritage Month
- Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
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DAYS:
- June 1 - 3: Shavuot - Jewish
- June 5: World Environment Day
- June 5 - 9: Eid al-Adha - Muslim
- June 8: Pentecost - Orthodox Christian
- June 12: Loving Day - Anniversary of Loving v. Virginia
- June 14: Flag Day
- June 15: Father's Day
- June 19: Juneteenth
- June 20th: World Refugee Day
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