December 2025 LGBTQ Commission Newsletter

"This year is my 10th year living with HIV. When I was first diagnosed in Pasco, WA, my doctor refused to meet with me and shared my diagnosis over the phone. It took me 4 years to the break the silence that ensued. I wouldn't have made it without friends like Joaquin and Marco, leaders like Judith and Louie, and organizations like the Gran Varones, the Positive Women's Network, the Sero Project, and the US People Living with HIV Caucus. As, Funders Concerned about AIDS continues to document inequities in HIV/AIDS services across the globe, now is a time to remember that what the HIV Racial Justice movement teaches us, is that healing is where power meets love. When our communities turn on each other, we must remember that our greatest stength is not perfection, but our borderless interconnection.

- Commissioner Omni Romero - Tri-Cities, Washington

"Coming out as a queer person in the 90s I learned the need for solidarity around the HIV crisis. So much of that crisis was about intentional inaction and stigma, even as it was about a new pathogen.  Solidarity between people across the LGBTQ community became a force for change, targeting the institutions that had abdicated their responsibilities. I will never forget standing on the steps of the Capitol with friends who needed assistance to stand up with us, and I marvel at that level of determination. Direct action against discrimination has saved thousands of lives by changing systems, and our ancestors who fought so hard for their lives have given us important liberatory tools, for which we should always be thankful. My work around HIV/AIDS these days is centered on sustained support and advocacy, but I often reflect on my early experiences as I learned so much from my friends, and they are always forefront in my mind with this work." 

- Commissioner Everett Maroon, Co-Chair - Walla Walla, Washington

When I began my public health career in the early 1990s, the AIDS epidemic was still claiming lives at a heartbreaking pace. My role was to help educate, prevent disease, and create safe and welcoming spaces for gay and bisexual men—communities that were living with immense loss and, far too often, without the support they deserved. Every week, our team read aloud the names of those who had recently died. As a young gay man in my twenties, still finding my place in the world, those moments left a permanent imprint on my heart. They taught me not only the urgency of public health, but also the human responsibility to ensure people with lived experience are heard, valued, and central to the decisions that shape their health and wellbeing.

The early years of the epidemic also revealed just how devastating delayed government action can be. In the 1980s, fear, stigma, and inaction at all levels of government cost far too many lives. Yet even in that vacuum, communities stepped in with strength and compassion—creating education campaigns, care networks, and support systems that saved people long before policy did. Those grassroots efforts showed me the power of people caring for one another, and the profound impact of community wisdom in times of crisis.

Thankfully, we now live in a state that has learned from those hard lessons. We are fortunate to be part of a place where science is valued, where prevention is seen as an investment, and where government embraces its responsibility to build a culture of belonging and inclusion. Our approach today reflects a belief that public health works best when it listens, collaborates, and honors the dignity of everyone it serves.

For me, the opportunity to serve as Secretary—as an openly gay man—is a testament to our state’s commitment to inclusive government. It sends a message that representation matters, that leadership can and should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, and that the mistakes of the past do not have to be repeated.

Still, I worry about the future of HIV/AIDS prevention under the current federal administration. Progress is never guaranteed, and we must remain vigilant against efforts that would weaken prevention programs, restrict access to care, or push marginalized communities back into the shadows. Today, we are also witnessing escalating political attacks on LGBTQI+ people—especially those who are trans and nonbinary—and these harms are even more acute for individuals who live at the intersections of multiple identities, including communities of color. These attacks do not occur in isolation; they directly threaten public health by fostering fear, discouraging people from seeking care, and undermining the very systems meant to keep people safe. The lessons of the AIDS crisis remind us that silence and stigma are dangerous—and that the cost of inaction is measured in lives.

Reflecting on the AIDS crisis is not only an act of remembrance; it is a call to continue the work with clarity and compassion. We honor those we lost by building systems that are inclusive, responsive, and rooted in science and humanity. And we move forward—together—preventing HIV, advancing equity, and ensuring that every person in every community feels seen, valued, and supported.

Director Dennis Worsham (DOH) previously served as the first Director of the Snohomish County Health Department – the same agency where he began his public health career in the 1990s as a HIV/STD/Hepatitis Program manager and health educator for the LGBTQ+ community during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Learn more about his leadership of the Department of Health here.

Q: Why is the Ryan White award meaningful to you and relevant today? 

A: The Ryan White award is meaningful to me because it honors the courage, resilience, and humanity of people living with HIV. Ryan’s story shifted the national conversation at a time when stigma and fear were shaping policy more than compassion or science. Today, that legacy is still relevant. We are still fighting misinformation, stigma, inequity in care, and the systems that make living with HIV harder than it needs to be. This award reminds me that advocacy rooted in truth, dignity, and community still matters and that our lives, our voices, and our leadership must remain at the center of the work.

Q: As someone living with HIV, what barrier are most common and what are critical areas needing to be addressed? 

A: I still see stigma, need for access, and affordability. People are afraid to test or disclose because they fear being judged or losing relationships, jobs, or housing. Many still don’t have consistent access to culturally competent care especially Black and Brown communities, LGBTQ+ communities, people with unstable housing, and those navigating the criminal legal system.

We cannot end the epidemic while ignoring the social conditions people are forced to navigate. 

Q: Testing and prevention have been significantly impacted by the federal government. What role do you think the state and local health authorities have to fill the void created by federal actions and policies? 

A: They need to fund and support community-based organizations that already have trust in the communities most impacted. They should expand mobile and community-led testing, restore access to free or low-cost PrEP and PEP, and rebuild outreach efforts that federal policies have weakened.

State and local leaders can also push back on stigma driven policies by centering science, equity, and the lived experiences of people with HIV. They can’t wait for the federal government to lead our prevention, care systems, and community health depends on local action now. While we’re at it, we need to be paying peer navigators way more money!

Q: For someone newly diagnosed with HIV, what are key things you would share with them? 

A: You are not alone. There is an entire community ready to walk with you, support you, and remind you that you belong. You can live a long, full, beautiful life. With treatment, HIV is manageable, and you deserve a future filled with joy, purpose, and possibility. Give yourself grace. A diagnosis does not define your worth. You are still whole, still deserving, and still you. Ask for help. Whether it’s care navigation, mental health support, or simply someone who understands what you’re feeling, reaching out is strength, not weakness. You don’t have to carry this by yourself.

I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t know what AIDS was. I was born in 1991, right when drug cocktails were starting to work. My mother was a hospice social worker who ran a life support group for men with AIDS from the time I was three or four until I was in high school. We lived outside San Francisco, in Sonoma County, where there was good access to care. I grew up going to the hospice house where she worked. I have memories of being very small—five, six, seven—playing in the therapy sand table while she ran group. My parents talked openly about everything. My mom always told me what things were: the oxygen tubes, the IVs, the mountains of pills everywhere, the Kaposi sarcoma lesions. It was just part of life for me.

My father used to say I was the “doll” of the life support group. I remember the hospice Christmas parties, the barbecues in our backyard where the whole group came over. Looking back, the boundaries were definitely a little blurry, but that was my world. I asked my mom a few years ago how many of the people I knew as a little kid passed away, because I didn’t remember anyone dying. She told me that in her core group of eight or nine men, none of them died. Not one. Some of them were at my high school graduation. There were a lot of near misses. I remember overhearing my mom on the phone talking to partners from hospital rooms, saying someone was really sick, maybe dying. But the men in her group lived.

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

On Friday, January 16th, from 9:00AM to 5:00PM, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission will convene for their first public meeting of 2026. 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. Public comment begins at 4:30pm, but the public is always welcome to observe any portion of the meeting. Visit our website for in-person location details.

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

We hope to see you there!

The Washington State Department of Commerce will host a workshop for nonprofit organizations in December. This workshop is specifically for nonprofit organizations that are not familiar with Commerce contracting.

Attendees will learn from Commerce’s Chief Compliance and Contract Officer what it is like to contract with Commerce. Attendees will also learn how to evaluate their readiness for capital projects by using a Capital Project Assessment Tool.

Two identical sessions will be offered in December:
• 12-1 p.m. Dec. 8 on Zoom (Register)
• 6-7 p.m. Dec. 10 on Zoom (Register)

Additional workshops for different audiences, such as local governments and tribes, are being planned for 2026.

Download the Capital Project Assessment Tool for Nonprofits to prepare for these workshops.

For more information, contact Community.Engagement@commerce.wa.gov.
Commerce’s regional community engagement specialists are valuable resources for your community.

Note: Information provided to the Department of Commerce is subject to public disclosure under the state’s Public Records Act.

Washington State is taking meaningful steps to become more age- and dementia-friendly — and we need your help to ensure every voice is heard.

As part of Washington’s participation in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities and Dementia-Friendly America, we’re gathering input from residents across the state. Your insights will guide how we plan for more inclusive, supportive communities where people of all ages can thrive.

Here’s how you can help:

• Share the community survey with your networks
• Use our ready-to-go social media toolkit and flyer
• Encourage community members, caregivers, and older adults to weigh in

Access the survey here: https://doh.wa.gov/age-and-dementia-friendly-washington-survey

Together, we can make Washington a place where everyone can age with dignity, purpose, and connection.

The Washington State Legislative Page Program 2026 Session Applications are open!

The Washington State Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country. Each year, hundreds of students from across Washington have the opportunity to take part in the legislative process and watch the Legislature and other branches of state government in action.

To learn about the requirements and to apply to the Page Program, head to the Civic Education website. Page Program

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