July 2025 LGBTQ Commission Newsletter

I was never the fastest, but I was one of the most consistent players on my team. My favorite coach used to tell us that practice makes permanent not perfect. I still use this philosophy today. I learned the value of showing up, managing my time, getting back up, learning from failing and the importance of trying again. Playing on a team teaches communication skills, especially under pressure, how to manage disappointment and losing, and being gracious with each win. I played with and against girls who were more naturally gifted than I was. I also learned from them and got better.  

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is excited to announce a new resource page on our website dedicated to knowing the facts around 2SLGBTQIA+ sports. 

It is so important for 2SLGBTQIA+ people of all ages to be included in athletics. It is especially important that Two Spirit, transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse, and intersex individuals are allowed and encouraged to play on the team that best aligns with their gender identity. 

This topic has become highly politicized in recent years and lots of misinformation surrounds transgender inclusion in sports. The intention of this page is to provide reputable information on this topic and share how Washington state approaches athletic inclusion. We hope you find the resources and information gathered here helpful. Resources included here are for educational purposes only and do not indicate affiliation or partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission. 

LGBTQ.WA.GOV/SPORTS

In April, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association held votes on two amendments that would have limited or banned the ability for transgender girls to participate in girls K-12 sports. These were advisory only, as WIAA made clear that these proposed amendments would violate state law and would not be implemented if passed. The two amendments failed to receive a majority of the votes and were not passed.

“The WIAA is committed to supporting participation opportunities for all students, including 2SLGBTQIA+ students. School athletics and activities have the unique power to bring communities together, rallying around their schools and students. These experiences allow students to represent their communities while developing invaluable life skills that translate to their adult life. While there may be differing opinions on what participation should look like, the WIAA firmly believes that every student deserves the opportunity to take part in school athletics and activities. Inclusion strengthens our communities, and ensuring that all students feel welcome and supported is essential to the mission of education-based athletics,” said Mick Hoffman, Executive Director of WIAA

The WIAA and Gender Diversity created a model policy for transgender and gender diverse youth in sports in 2007. You can learn more by viewing their Gender Diverse Youth Sport Inclusivity Toolkit.

Despite these votes failing and current policies reflecting inclusion for transgender students, the attitudes towards transgender athletes remain hostile across schools in our state. The Washington State LGBTQ Commission continues to track these issues and work to ensure that Washington remains a safe place for all 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes.

We would like to share the video that the Seattle Mariners released to celebrate this year's pride month. You can view the video by clicking this link.

We reached out to the Mariners to hear their thoughts about the importance of inclusion in sports. Here's what they had to say:

“Baseball’s history is built on the struggle for inclusion, and the Mariners are firmly committed to that same struggle for equality and belonging that makes the game so uniquely meaningful. Baseball has the power to improve the lives of individuals and communities, and participating in any sport offers lasting lessons that can make life richer and more satisfying. The Mariners believe that everyone deserves a chance to learn, grow, and thrive in these ways. We therefore believe that everyone belongs in baseball, that everyone can be an athlete, and that everyone deserves a chance to play.” - the Seattle Mariners

Commission staff sat down with Commissioner Jade Thornwood to discuss how inclusion in sports have impacted her life and why she believes that inclusion is critical to the success and health of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

Commissioner Thornwood lives in Spokane and serves as a board member for Odyssey Youth Movement, an organization for LGBTQ+ youth in the Inland Northwest. She has played sports all through her life and currently is a part of a roller derby team in Spokane. 

Q: What positive impact have sports made in your life?

A: Personally, I think the social impact is such a big deal. Having an immediate group of people who you have something in common with and you have a common goal to learn leadership and teamwork skills and just have fun together. I think it's such an important thing to have, and I think when your thing is sports and you're able to connect in that way, I think it's so powerful the camaraderie that can form from that.

Q: Why do you think it's important for people to feel affirmed in the sports that they play? 

A: I think it creates a sense of belonging... meeting any child where they're interested in and letting them learn things like teamwork and collaboration and all these things, in an environment that they enjoy is so important, whatever it is. In this instance, its sports, and I think that is such a beautiful thing and needs to be fostered. I think generally when we think about trans people and queer people in general, in like the stereotypical sense, most people don't think about sports or haven't thought about sports. But I think that's been such a neglective thing, and I think there's so much power in a sense of belonging, and I think we get so lost into the competitive and rhetoric of it all, and don't remember why we play sports, why we liked them. It's because we have fun, and kids should have fun, and kids should learn the things that they need to learn in a fun environment. That's pretty simple to me. 

Q: What message do you have to young LGBTQ athletes?

A: I would say that there are still people out here who care about their inclusion and that they belong in their leagues and in their sports. It might seem like the loudest voices in the room are winning, but there are a lot of people who care very deeply about them and about you, myself included, and I have to believe that that our spirit will win out in the end.

In 2024, a groundbreaking statewide survey was conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in Washington State. This pioneering research, funded by the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, was meticulously designed for LGBTQ+ Washingtonians. The survey's findings are set to play a pivotal role in shaping policy recommendations presented to the Office of the Governor and the Washington State Legislature and beyond. Survey participants were also invited to enter raffle drawings as a token of appreciation for their invaluable contributions. Through this initiative, we successfully captured diverse voices from across the state, marking a significant step forward in advocating for inclusive and equitable policies. You can read the final survey report now!

The Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE), in partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, proudly introduces a new state-level certification for LGBTQ+ owned small businesses. This joint effort expands access to opportunity, fosters economic fairness, and
ensures LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are fully recognized and welcomed in the state marketplace. Learn more and start your application today! 

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner had two guests from the LGBTQ Commission on their OIC Answers podcast this week to talk about your right to access gender-affirming care! State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer sits down with LGBTQ Commissioner Darlin Lozano and LGBTQ Commission Policy and Operations Manager Sam Fennell to discuss the LGBTQ Commission's work, the hurdles involved in receiving care, and where to turn for help when seeking care.

Head to this link or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or online at insurance.wa.gov to listen now! Thank you to Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer and the entire team at OIC for having us on to talk about this important topic and for your continued outspoken support for Washington's 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is initiating a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applications from those qualified and interested in grant funding for nonprofit organizations including, but not limited to, religious nonprofits, by-and-for organizations, or cultural community centers, to fund renovation or other security enhancements, construction or renovation, target hardening, preparedness planning, training, or exercises.

Grant recipients must provide proof or evidence that they have been targeted or are at risk because of their mission, ideology, or beliefs.

Question and Answer period: June 18 – July 2, 2025 Applicants’ Conference: June 26, 2025, at noon PT Proposals due: July 31, 2025 Evaluate proposals: August 5 – August 19, 2025

Please review the RFA documents, available on the funding page of the Commerce website, for more information.

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.

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