October 2025 LGBTQ Commission Newsletter

Without question, one of the most important events in the history of the LGBTQ+ movement in the United States is the founding of the Mattachine Society, by Harry Hay and others, in Los Angeles in 1950. The first major homosexual rights organization in the United States, Mattachine remained small and under the radar until one of its founding members, Dale Jennings, was arrested for "lewd behavior" in a park in Los Angeles in February 1952. Rather than plead guilty, as virtually all entrapped gay men did at the time, Jennings decried his entrapment and pled his case in court. Defended by a well-known labor lawyer, secured by Hay, Jennings' defense secured his release via hung jury. The resultant publicity, which put Mattachine on the map, resulted in the rapid growth of the organization and, unsurprisingly, the dilution of its message and the expulsion of Hay for his radical tendencies. With the dam broken, Mattachine's rise paved the way for the founding of the lesbian organization, Daughters of Bilitis, by Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon in 1955. Forty-nine years later, Martin and Lyon were the first couple wed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, on February 12, 2004, in a public ceremony in San Francisco City Hall.

Despite the watering down of their initial message, Mattachine and DOB sowed the seeds for the movement that followed. A month after the Stonewall Rebellion, the publicist for the New York chapter of Daughter of Bilitis, Martha Shelley, made possible the first post-Stonewall march for LGBTQ+ rights and the founding of the Gay Liberation Front. With those actions, the mood of the LGBTQ+ community transformed from one of assimilation to an open demand for acceptance, rights, and freedoms.

As someone whose work for freedom began as a civil rights worker in the summer of 1965 and continued as the founder of the New Haven Gay Liberation Front (spring 1970) and subsequent work in the seminal New York Gay Liberation Front, it's shocking to see the concerted attacks on our community by those who would deny us our freedoms and scapegoat us for society's ills. What keeps me going is the love, beauty, and strength I feel, both in myself and in every one of my fellow LGBTQ+ people and allies who affirm the inherent goodness and rightness of who we are. 

In the early days of the Gay Liberation Front, one slogan (mantra) that we repeated frequently was "Gay Love is Gay Strength." It's a slogan I still take to heart.  I celebrate the love and strength that binds us all. Our diversity makes us stronger. It is essential that we continue the work of our forebearers. That we remain open, proud, and defiant. That through our words, deeds, and most importantly, our love and embrace of ourselves and others, we demonstrate that we deserve all the rights, freedoms, and privileges enjoyed by the dominant white majority in the United States.

The Washington State Archives, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, holds the state's historic governmental records and ensures they remain accessible to everyone. We are dedicated to making these collections inclusive and representative of all Washingtonians, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, whose experiences and struggles have often been marginalized or omitted from traditional narratives. Preserving this history provides future generations with vital context and understanding.

Why is Archiving 2SLGBTQIA+ History Essential?

State Archivist Heather Hirotaka explains, "Archiving 2SLGBTQIA+ history is essential for the Washington State Archives to provide a complete and accurate historical record, ensuring that future historians, educators, lawmakers, and the public have access to records. These records document the lives, contributions, civil rights struggles, political milestones, and ongoing efforts toward equity and inclusion in Washington State.”

The archives holds materials from Washington's fight for equality, preserving documentation of judicial and legislative actions, the work of elected officials, and grassroots community advocacy. Key collections are found within the files of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the Governor's Office, the Office of the Attorney General, the Washington State Human Rights Commission (formerly the Board Against Discrimination), the State Supreme Court, and the State Legislature.

Legacy Washington's Love, Equally online exhibit celebrates marriage equality with profiles of champions who led the cause. Same-sex marriage was won in 2012 after advocates concentrated their message in a single word: love. Legacy Washington interviewed politicians, activists, judges, journalists, and more to tell the story of how marriage equality came to the Evergreen State.

By actively identifying and preserving materials that reflect the full diversity of the state, we ensure this history isn't lost. These collections are vital tools for understanding the past, informing present-day policy, and inspiring future action.

The historic and cultural contributions of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Washington State depict a critically important story of struggle and determination. Sites associated with this community are woefully underrepresented in historic property survey efforts. The identification of historic places that represent marginalized communities is critical for two reasons: the first is that these places deserve the appropriate respect by being listed in the National Register of Historic Places listings (NRHP) and/or the Washington Heritage Register and two, more importantly, so that land use and transportation planners are required to seek ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate harm to these historic properties. 

From 2022-2023, the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation conducted an ethnographic study of Seattle focused on identifying and mapping historic places connected to diverse and marginalized communities that had been previously unrecognized and undocumented. This work quickly demonstrated an overwhelming gap in the nation's historical interpretation through place-based histories of gender nonconforming and sexually diverse groups. The lack of public knowledge around LGBTQIA2S+ historic places not only removes their protection but creates an exclusionary atmosphere for the over 300,000 individuals who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ in Washington State by leaving their history silent. 

To help remedy the situation, DAHP applied for and received an Underrepresented Communities Grant from the National Park Service to establish a historic context for recognition of sites associated with LGBTQIA2S+ history in western Washington. The historic context will allow our agency to list and identify previously unrecognized historically significant LGBTQIA2S places and map them as a form of protection against future demolition. This project will also conclude in a guide for future nominations of queer historic sites in Western WA to both the Washington Heritage Register and the NRHP. Our agency’s goal is to safeguard and honor the queer community's legacy, ensure its longevity, celebrate its culture, and nurture its well-being into the future. 

Interested in hearing about what the LGBTQ Commission is working on? Want to provide a public comment to the LGBTQ Commission? Come to our October public meeting in Spokane, Washington!

On Friday, October 17th from 12-5pm and Saturday October 18th from 9am-12pm, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission will convene for their fifth and last 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, at 11:30am on Saturday the 18th. Thank you to the Gonzaga University Lincoln LGBTQ Resource Center for supporting this event!

• Friday, October 17th, 12:00pm-5:00pm, Gonzaga University Foley Library Room 101
• Saturday, October 18th, 9:00am-12:00pm, Gonzaga University Hemmingson Center Joan Jundt Lounge Room 201

There will be a Zoom option for those looking to participate virtually. Zoom link will be live on our website prior to the public meeting. An agenda will be uploaded on our website no later than 24 hours prior to the start of the public meeting.

Join the Washington State LGBTQ+ Commission's Youth Advisory Council for a townhall centered around K-12 education! Come have a snack, share your questions and concerns regarding K-12 education, and hear from a diverse lineup of speakers! This event is sponsored by Spokane Pride, Odyssey Youth Movement, and Gonzaga University's Lincoln LGBTQ+ Resource Center.

When? October 18th, 2025 - 1-3PM

Where? Gonzaga University - Hemmingson Center Auditorium Room 001

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