 A Note from the Director - LGBTQ+ History Month
Washington state is rich with 2SLGBTQIA+ history. At a point in time when histories are being erased, telling and preserving our history is essential. The accomplishments and firsts for our community are vast within the legislative and judicial branches, elected offices, arts and culture, every level of education, sciences, entrepreneurship, and athletics.
LGBTQ+ History Month invites curiosity and opportunities to see ourselves and learn about those different from us and with diverse backgrounds. Connecting to our history opens doors to inspiration and hope. It is a reminder of past lessons, failures, and achievements. History is the light that guides us on what has been and the road ahead of us. And as it has always been, 2SLGBTQIA+ people are extraordinary contributors to past, current, and future societies.
 Lisa Keating, Executive Director - Washington State LGBTQ Commission
"All these advances, the positive laws and policies, the healthcare access wins, the support for individuals and families, all these were hard won and required years of work. This process is the real and often unseen heart of all the change we have made. This work is what I cherish the most. It is done by many, together, and it is what brings a better life for everyone.”
— Marsha Botzer, former Washington State LGBTQ Commission Co-Chair, transgender activist, founder of the Ingersoll Gender Center in Seattle
[Source: Legacy Washington: Love Equally]
Looking Back: Commissioner Jason Serinus' Perspective on a Defining Moment in LGBTQ+ History
Jason Serinus, Co-Chair, Washington State LGBTQ Commission
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.
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Washington State Agencies Honoring LGBTQ History
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission works with state agencies that work to preserve Washington's history to ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ stories are maintained in our state's historical records. We also encourage you to check out the Washington State 2SLGBTQIA+ Timeline on our website.
Preserving the Past: Why Your History Matters at the Washington State Archives
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.
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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.
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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.
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Images in order of appearance, courtesy of the Washington State Archives.
- and 2. Pride Flag Raising, Olympia, June 16, 2016
- Legacy Washington’s The Journey to Marriage Equality: Lessoned Learned, October 9, 2023
- Governor Gregoire Signs Civil Marriages and Domestic Partnership Bill Law, February 13, 2012
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation's work on 2SLGBTQIA+ history
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.
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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.
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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.
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Images in order of appearance, courtesy of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservations.
- The Hasbian’s women’s softball team of the 1990s represent an early growing population of lesbians and gays on Vashon Island (Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber)
- Group of women marching with the Berdache Society at the Gay Pride Parade, 1980 (Northwest Lesbian and Gay History Museum Project)
- Group posed in front of Olympia’s Cafe Intermezzo, known as, “a ‘wild and wooly’ hangout for lesbian and gay coffee aficionados, 1978 (The Olympian)
Community and Academic Efforts to Preserve LGBTQ+ History in Washington
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission would like to highlight several organizations, exhibits, and projects throughout the state that highlight 2SLGBTQIA+ history. We encourage you to engage with and support these local efforts to preserve our community's rich and vibrant history.
 LGBTQ Commission October 2025 Public Meeting in Spokane, Washington
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.
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LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council LGBTQ+ K-12 Townhall Event in Spokane, Washington
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
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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
- Governor Ferguson signs Executive Order reaffirming Washington’s commitment to protecting immigrant rights, September 29th, 2025
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Governor Ferguson to Energy: Do your job at Hanford, September 12th, 2025
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Governor Ferguson, Democratic Congressional leaders urge extension of critical affordable health care tax credits, September 12th, 2025
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Following Trump’s politicization of CDC, West Coast states issue unified vaccine recommendations, September 17th, 2025
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Governor Ferguson kicks off campaign to increase Washington FAFSA completion rates at Renton High School, September 19th, 2025
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Governor Ferguson request for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses after White River Bridge closure granted, September 19th, 2025
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Governor Ferguson, Ecology launch ‘ZEVergreen’ to expand access to zero-emission vehicles, September 22nd, 2025
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Governor Ferguson statement on September revenue forecast, September 23rd, 2025
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Governor Ferguson statement on federal government shutdown, October 1st, 2025
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Governor Ferguson condemns Trump Administration’s termination of $1.1B in energy grant funding across Washington, October 2nd, 2025
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Washington State Attorney General's Office
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Judge rules Trump’s mass terminations broke the law and risked public safety, September 15th, 2025
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Washington joins states supporting D.C.’s challenge to Trump National Guard deployments, September 15th, 2025
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AG Brown sues bikini barista coffee stand owner over sexual harassment allegations, September 18th, 2025
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National forests threatened by federal rulemaking, AGs warn, September 22nd, 2025
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Washington joins state and local governments opposing EPA’s unsupported attempt to deny that greenhouse gases endanger public health, September 22nd, 2025
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WA settles with large, national property management company accused of charging military service members unfair housing fees, September 23rd, 2025
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Multistate coalition including Washington wins a court order protecting billions in federal emergency services funding, September 25th, 2025
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WA leads states suing over illegal conditions to programs that support comprehensive sexual health education, September 26th, 2025
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Attorneys general issue joint statement affirming the safety of and access to medical abortion drug, September 29th, 2025
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WA joins a coalition of states suing DHS, FEMA over unlawfully reallocating security funding for political purposes, September 29th, 2025
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WA and other states win temporary block on politically motivated cuts to homeland security funding, September 30th, 2025
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Washington and four other states file housing-related antitrust violation lawsuit, October 1st, 2025
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Washington among states suing DOJ to protect services for crime survivors, October 1st, 2025
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AG Brown proposes Model Public Records Act Rules to improve government transparency, October 3rd, 2025
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AG Brown leads states united against Trump’s National Guard deployment to Oregon, October 8th, 2025
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Washington State Secretary of State
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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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Washington State Department of Commerce
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Washington State Department of Health
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West Coast Health Alliance announces vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, September 17th, 2025
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Concerns Raised Over Impact of ACIP Recommendations on Vaccine Access, Equity, and Parental Choice, September 19th, 2025
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Federal shutdown jeopardizes critical support for infants, children, and pregnant people, October 1st, 2025
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Washington State Department of Health secures USDA funding to maintain WIC benefits through October, October 9th, 2025
 October 2025
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MONTH-LONG
- October - LGBTQ+ History Month
- October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- October - Filipino American Heritage Month
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WEEK-LONG
- October 19th - October 25th - Ace Week
- October 26th - November 1st - Intersex Awareness Week
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DAYS
- October 11th - National Coming Out Day
- October 13th - Indigenous Peoples' Day
- October 14th - International Pronouns Day
- October 19th - Spirit Day (LGBTQ+ anti-bullying day)
- October 26th - Intersex Awareness Day
- October 28th - National Immigrants Day
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