Director's Note: 2SLGBTQIA+ Migration to Washington State featuring Michael Woodward with TRACTION
Year after year, more and more states are enacting laws that make it impossible, even illegal, for transgender and nonbinary people to exist. Washington state has some of the strongest protections for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. This has triggered a growing migration of folks relocating to the state.
I interviewed the Executive Director for the nonprofit TRACTION, Michael Woodward, and the Program Manager, Aspen Coyle, about the work they have been doing to support trans and nonbinary people moving to Washington.
Tell us a little about TRACTION.
Michael: Founded in 2019, TRACTION is a trans-led nonprofit in Washington State. Through civic engagement, peer connection, media, and the arts, we work to shift societal attitudes about gender diversity and empower our communities to lead systemic change. In response to the increasing persecution and victimization of trans+ people, TRACTION has also stepped fully into policy work, using legislative advocacy and community organizing to advance safety and security for our peers, ourselves, and our community.”
Q: Can you share a bit about your organization and the primary populations that you serve? What types of housing and support programs do you offer?
Aspen: We help trans people resettling within the US to trans-friendly places (affectionately known as "transplants"). We offer peer support and navigation to plan and carry out moves. We can also provide free flights and train/bus tickets, limited help with the financial costs of moving, and offer free short-term housing with community members.
Q: What are some of the biggest barriers to securing housing for the populations you serve?
Aspen: Seattle is a very expensive city. Few people have the space and willingness to house a stranger, and so our ability to provide that short-term housing is limited. Additionally, due to bad credit and the high requirements for housing, even transplants with jobs have difficulty finding their own long-term housing. Finally, the scale of the problem is daunting. It's estimated that 40,000 trans people have fled to Washington over the past year. This simply isn't an issue that can be handled solely by small nonprofits. The trans community is in crisis, and we need large-scale material support.
Q: Have you identified solutions that would work to reducing or eliminating these barriers?
Aspen: We're currently working on an overhaul of our housing system, with the goal of streamlining and expanding our ability to house people. We're also working on a partnership with Housing Connector to remove income- and credit score-based barriers to housing. Finally, we're working to expand our volunteer capacity as quickly as possible - we've onboarded nearly 20 volunteers in the past month!”
Q: Can you share about the impact of your organizations work, specifically in the area of housing?
Michael: From October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, TRACTION had unprecedented growth, fueled both by joy and trepidation. Fueled both by joy and trepidation. As the threats against trans+ folks increase, more and more people have shown up to help. A record number of people came out to volunteer and new community partnerships were forged. While grants from foundations were down significantly, our number of individual donors more than tripled.
As we enter our seventh year as an organization, TRACTION strives to remain nimble, listen to our communities’ needs, and respond accordingly. Project Open Arms developed organically exactly this way. Here are some of the examples of the impact we had last year that are very exciting.
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Created a Washington Trans+ Relocation Guide
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Helped 67+ transplants move to safer locations
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Provided transportation financial assistance to 13
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Provided 21 new arrivals with gender-affirming housing
And that's just a part of what we do at TRACTION. We recently started a monthly gathering for transplants, volunteers, and friends to help new folks get integrated into our beautiful Washington trans+ community and presented a live storytelling event called "Moving Stories." We're also doing a lot of civic engagement and rural outreach to get trans+ folks beyond the Emerald City bubble involved in creating change. Be sure to catch our monthly video podcast, "Trans Heartbeat," on our website or anywhere you get your podcasts.
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is incredibly thankful for nonprofits like TRACTION and many others who are critical pillars of support for the growing trans+ population in Washington state. Please consider visiting tractionpnw.org to learn more and support TRACTION's efforts!
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 Lisa Keating, Executive Director - Washington State LGBTQ Commission
Chiles v Salazar Supreme Court Ruling: What does it mean and what do we do now?
On Tuesday, March 31st, 2026, the Supreme Court issued its decision in a case, Chiles v Salazar, about how conversion therapy can be regulated. The Court ruled these harmful and debunked practices can be "protected speech" under the first amendment and sent the case back down to the lower court to be revisited. We know this ruling is deeply concerning for 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians. Here are some important things to know about this ruling:
What is Chiles v. Salazar about?
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Chiles v. Salazar is a case about whether state laws prohibiting licensed therapists from performing conversion therapy on minors violate the First Amendment.
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The United States Supreme Court ruled in an 8-1 decision in that Colorado’s state law banning conversion “therapy” regulated the speech of the petitioner and should have been held to a heightened level of scrutiny.
What is Chiles v. Salazar NOT about?
Chiles v. Salazar IS NOT:
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About whether conversion “therapy” is legal. The case is about how the practice can be regulated.
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About whether conversion “therapy” is harmful. Every major medical and mental health organization has concluded that it is harmful.
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About whether survivors of conversion “therapy” can sue. Survivors have legal options to fight back against the harms of conversion “therapy”.
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About whether conversion “therapy” constitutes professional misconduct. Survivors can continue to bring malpractice claims.
What has WA already done?
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The Washington State LGBTQ Commission alerted the Governor, as well as state legislative and policy leaders to this case when the Supreme Court decided to pick it up back in March 2025 and began exploring the state’s response then - regardless of the judicial outcome.
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Washington State Attorney General, Nick Brown has led multiple coalitions defending bans on conversion “therapy”, including leading a 20+ state coalition in writing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of Colorado’s law.
What is WA doing to respond?
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The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is in regular conversations with the Governor’s office, Washington State Attorney General’s office, and our legislative and community partners to identify potential responses to this ruling.
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Washington remains committed to being a national leader in 2SLGBTQIA+ equality and wellbeing. We stand with survivors and will fight to find solutions that protect Washingtonians from fraudulent, harmful practices.
Response from Washington State Legislative LGBTQ caucus:
“Today’s SCOTUS ruling against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors only puts queer youth at more risk of serious harm. Conversion therapy is ineffective, unsafe, and traumatizing for kids who are forced to endure it... We will evaluate how this ruling affects Washington’s law banning conversion therapy, and we will continue to fight to ensure our state remains a safe place for all queer people to live and thrive. We will not be erased. We will not be ashamed of who we are. And we will not stand by as the federal government tramples on years of progress for queer people.” - Read the full statement on the LGBTQ Caucus website here.
Resources for help:
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The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading national suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. The Trevor Project Hotline (24/7/365):
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Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants non-profit organization for the trans community, by the trans community. Trans Lifeline Hotline (M-F: 10AM-6PM PST):
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LGBT National Help Center: The LGBT National Help Center, founded in 1996, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that provides vital peer support, community connections, and resource information through helplines and online chatrooms. LGBT National Hotline (M-F: 11AM-8PM, Sat: 9AM-2PM PST):
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress across the United States and its territories. 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline (24/7/365):
- Call: 988 or Text: 988
- Learn more & live chat: wa988.org
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Reflection with Justice Mary Yu - A Perspective of Hope for the Future of LGBTQ+ Youth
Long before Washington State codified protections for gender identity, Harry Allen walked the streets of early twentieth-century Seattle insisting on being recognized for who he was. Newspapers sensationalized his life, and courts repeatedly arrested him. Yet he continued to live openly as a man in a society that had no language for “transgender” and no laws protecting him.
by Youth Advisory Councilmember Yanna Fernandez (She/her/theirs - King County)
7 years ago, I was a pre-teenager who was terrified of accepting who I truly was. At 13 years old, I felt so isolated in my personal experiences, and so unsure if happiness and authenticity would be part of my future. I was blessed to have had a fateful encounter with Justice Mary Yu, who was making a speech about her experience as the first Latinx judge and being part of the LGBTQ+ community to my middle school class.
Instantly, an entirely new world was introduced to the younger version of me- of what I am capable of, who I can look up to, and how my future felt truly limitless. Much of this positive mindset is due to Justice Mary Yu, who continues to inspire youth (including me) to this day. If there was one word to describe Justice Mary Yu, I would choose the word "optimist". Not only because she is a self-proclaimed optimist herself, but the positivity she exudes can be seen in the words she shares and the work she has completed that reflect how optimism can be a game-changer both in and out of the courthouse.
I had the amazing opportunity to speak with Justice Mary Yu over the phone a few months ago, as tensions continued to grow higher within the LGBTQIA+ youth- and how we are all worried of an inevitably dire future if we do not take action with strength, knowledge, and a positive mindset.
“We are defending our very right to exist, and to be and to thrive, and right now that seems to threaten people,” Justice Mary Yu started off, “ So, you know, I would say to the young person: It's so important for you to have your voice. Your voice really matters. And despite the fact that we go up-and-down with the wins and the losses, it's really important work." With such uncertainty, feelings of hopelessness and emptiness- hearing such words of encouragement truly made such a difference in my mindset. Even after the announcement of her retirement, and through the trials and tribulations the community continues to face today, she highlights the importance of optimism and continuing to work in strides.
After over 20 years of serving both the superior and supreme courts, the fight still isn’t over yet for Justice Mary Yu. "It's important for me to just help build the foundation; help sustain the optimism that will not totally give in to what I see is a destructive mean, spirited philosophy that is somehow present right now,” she continues, “ But I still believe that, you know, we have got to be agents of change and we have got to resist this in some way."
Even for me, at 20 years old, I feel such an immense burden to be part of a change that cannot happen simply overnight- and Justice Mary Yu touched on the concept of burn-out during our conversation, and how crucial it is to have balance within one's life.
"it's almost like a wheel in a car, in a sense that if it keeps going right eventually it wears down, or it burns out, and you know, we need to make sure that we're sustaining ourselves with whatever that might be, and that might be laughter or certain point or poetry or writing, but we have got to be in this for the long haul. Nobody can be there for us by us, and so on,” Justice Mary Yu explains. “Being healthy- and again, enjoying laughter provides a great remedy to stress."
It reminds me that, even with all the craziness and the heartache that occurs across the globe and across our nation, it is crucial to highlight queer joy- and the daily beauties that we often miss with the clouds of disarray that loom around us. Justice Mary Yu’s words are a great reminder that we can take things day by day; to enjoy the laughter, enjoy the sunshine, and bask in the little counts of happiness we encounter to strengthen us for the long-hauled fight ahead of the LGBTQIA+ youth.
"I think it's going to be young people who will help to feed this initiative that's going to be put on the ballot in the fall,” Justice Mary Yu says. “I think it's going to be young people who have to lead us."
As the baton is passed from one generation to the next, I feel more pressure than ever to continue to do the right thing, support the right businesses, and to vote in the local elections. Even with all this weight I feel on my shoulders, I find it so incredibly relieving to know that I am not feeling this alone. It is not just me, not only the youth who will face these conflicts and solutions alone- it is a community-wide commitment and fight that extends across generational barriers. Today, I feel more confident than I did yesterday- knowing that we, the youth, are not alone in this fight. While we may be the future, it is with the help and the aid of leaders and supporters like Justice Mary Yu who continue to advocate for the foundations that we can build upon.
While my breath still is unsteady and my chest aches with anxiety with each news article I read, I can rest easier knowing I can make change, and the youth have the resources to do it- together.
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 Western Washington LGBTQIA2S+ History Project with the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation
 Help the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) to document and protect LGBTQIA2S+ places, stories, and memories across Western Washington. Many of these stories risk being lost - unless we preserve them together. Working under contract with the state, our project team, led by Susan Ferentinos, PhD, is seeking input from diverse LGBTQIA2S+ communities in the region about places that are important to their history.
Why it matters: LGBTQIA2S+ history is not always written in textbooks or marked by plaques. It is found in everyday places, like a former bar, a protest route, or the home of a local activist. By identifying and sharing these places, we can make sure our history is visible, valued, and preserved - for future generations to know we were here.
How you can help: Tell us:
- What places were important to you or your community?
- Why do they matter?
- What places can teach others about our shared history?
Led by the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP), this project is taking steps to identify and record these important spaces. Sharing your story helps shape a growing public record of LGBTQIA2S+ presence, joy, and resistance in our region.
Your privacy matters. Any identifying details will only be shared if you’ve given us permission. You’re welcome to remain anonymous. We will not share your contact information without your consent.
What places were important to you or your community? Share your story or suggest a site by scanning the QR code on the flyer, or by visiting the link below! Want to learn more? Visit DAHP's LGBTQIA2S+ history page.
Washington State's 25th Annual Say it Out Loud Conference: Registration Open Now!
 DATE: May 18th, 2026 | Location: Tulalip Resort & Casino
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE: For 25 years, the Say It Out Loud (SIOL) Conference has brought together behavioral health professionals, peer support specialists, community advocates, and individuals with lived experience to share knowledge, build connections, and strengthen services for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Washington State. SIOL is grounded in the belief that culturally responsive, affirming care improves outcomes — and that the voices of those most impacted must be centered in that work. This is a space for learning, reflection, and practical tools you can take back to your workplace or community.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This conference is for you if you are:
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A behavioral health or substance use professional seeking affirming, culturally responsive practices
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A Certified Peer Support Specialist or peer professional whose lived experience is central to your work
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A nonprofit, education, child welfare, or justice system professional serving 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
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A community advocate, ally, or individual with lived experience who wants to strengthen systems of care
You do not need to be a clinician to belong here.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN: By attending SIOL, you will leave with:
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Practical tools you can apply immediately in your work or community
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Increased confidence supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals across systems
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Connection with peers and professionals who understand the realities of this work
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Continuing education credits (NAADAC-approved for applicable credentials)
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Space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the purpose behind your work
Early Bird Tickets are available for $120! Learn more about tickets, exhibitor tabling, and SOIL Conference Scholarship opportunities at Say It Out Loud Conference
Nomination Launch for QT+ Committee of the Washington State Minority & Justice Commission
The Minority and Justice Commission has launched the first standing sub-committee to a Supreme Court Commission developed to focus specifically on the experiences of Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual, and other (2SLGBTQIA+) users of the Washington State legal system, and particularly where 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and racial injustice uniquely impact access to justice.
ASK: We are seeking a wide range of community members to form the inaugural committee! In particular, we are seeking individuals with lived experience in Washington courts – for example, eviction proceedings, family law, or criminal matters – as well as court staff, lawyers, and judges. Please nominate individuals you think would be a good fit for membership on the committee, including yourself. Please use the form below.
QT+ Committee Membership – Nomination Form
What to expect after nomination: After completing the nomination form, the nominator and nominee will be contacted by a member of our steering committee. We will meet (virtually or in person) to get to know each other, and nominees may begin attending meetings right away.
Expectations of membership include:
- Regular attendance at virtual monthly meetings;
- Contributing to Committee projects, which may include community outreach, researching and proposing policy and court rule amendments, judicial education, artistic design and storytelling, and other skills;
- Periodic attendance at Minority and Justice Commission meetings; and
- Developing a Washington Supreme Court Symposium curriculum centered on uplifting the contributions of QTBIPOC people in the broader LGBTQIA+ rights movement.
The Minority and Justice Commission’s policies allow for compensation of committee members with lived experience in Washington’s courts. Please contact Molly Gough (molly.gough@courts.wa.gov) with any questions.
About the Committee: As a standing subcommittee of the Minority and Justice Commission, the QT+ Committee will focus specifically on information, data, and recommendations related to BIPOC members of the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community and issues which lie at the intersection of racial justice and 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences.
Our goal is to establish and design a committee that amplifies the leadership of the people who appear most often in our courts, and particularly transgender and QTBIPOC people, with technical support and advocacy from lawyers and judges. In building this committee, we recognize that many community members impacted by the legal system have not had experience on committees like this, and we are striving to use the Queer communities' unique practices to build this space differently. In particular, we find that the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in criminal court, and then incarceration, are not well understood or amplified.
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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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Governor Ferguson signs bill establishing account for private funds that will dramatically expand early learning, March 14
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Governor signs bill prohibiting double voting, March 17
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Interstate Bridge Replacement Program joint statement from Governors Kotek and Ferguson, March 17
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Governor Ferguson signs bills prohibiting individuals from using false law enforcement identification, banning law enforcement from hiding identity with masks, March 19
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Governor Ferguson travels to Yakima to sign slate of 10 bills, March 20
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Governor Ferguson signs bills establishing rules for penny shortage, banning noncompetes, expanding fatal crash reviews, March 23
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Governor Ferguson signs bills improving housing, March 27
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Governor Ferguson signs Millionaires’ Tax into law, March 30
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Washington joins the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, April 1
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Governor Ferguson signs supplemental budgets, April 1
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$56M in Commerce, DCYF early learning grants to create more than 2K high-quality child care seats, April 16
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Washington State Attorney General's Office:
- Washington to win summary judgment protecting health care for transgender youth, March 20
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AG Brown releases statement on First Circuit decision upholding block on Trump administration funding freeze, March 16
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AG Brown asks court to enforce order preserving school mental health grants, March 18
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Washington sues online betting platform Kalshi for illegal gambling, March 27
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As SCOTUS arguments begin, 24 states’ attorneys general issue joint statement affirming birthright citizenship, April 1
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AG Brown releases statement on President Trump’s latest unlawful executive order on elections, April 1
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Washington wins appeals court ruling against HUD over housing assistance programs, April 2
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AG Brown sues to block executive order that undermines voting rights, April 3
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AG Brown, bipartisan coalition win landmark verdict against Live Nation, April 15
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Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction:
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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner:
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Washington State Secretary of State:
 April 2026
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MONTH LONG
- April: Celebrate Diversity Month
- April: Autism Acceptance Month
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WEEK LONG
- April 20-26: Lesbian Visibility Week
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DAYS
- April 6: International Asexuality Day
- April 10: Day of (No) Silence
- April 10: National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day
- April 13: Equal Pay Day
- April 18: National Transgender HIV Testing Day
- April 19: Nonbinary Parents Day
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 26: Lesbian Visibility Day
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