May 22, 2023 Newsletter

Connect with the Commission

Save the Date for the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on the Capitol Campus!

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission, in collaboration with RAIN and the Office of the Governor, will host the annual Raising of the Pride Flag on the Capitol Campus to mark the beginning of LGBTQ Pride Month. The event will take place on the flagpole between the Capitol Building and Temple of Justice on Thursday, June 1st at noon. More information and details on speakers will be shared in the coming weeks. You can follow updates through our social media link here.

Office of Equity – Community Advisory Board Application 2023

The Office of Equity is seeking a courageous and unapologetic champion of equity and anti-racism to advance belonging and justice in Washington state. We desire partners who questions what is, to help find solutions for what can be.

The Board's role: The Community Advisory Board will work to identify policy and system barriers in State Government and provide recommendations and priorities to the Office of Equity.

All Washingtonians are welcome to apply: We are especially looking for those who haven't had the chance to participate in influencing State Government processes. Specifically, those that been targeted by anti-blackness, xenophobia, settler colonialism, and other forms of oppression.

The office will prioritize applicants who have been or are currently directly impacted by any of the following: (please note the list is not exhaustive)

Washington State Office of Equity Invites you to apply: Community Advisory Board Members Needed Term commitment 2 or 3 years Must be living in Washington 18+ $ Volunteer stipends available to those who qualify $ What the board does: Starting with a group of 11, you'll work withour project managers to lay the groundwork for the board, and partner and make Washington the first belonging state. Seeking people with lived experience (such as): * Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) * 2SLGBTQ+ * People with Disabilities * Sex Workers * Unhoused * Low Income * Single Parents * Living with Addiction * Formerly Incarcerated * Survivors of Domestic Violence * Fostercare/Child Removal * Indian Boarding Schools * People who are Undocumented * Survivors of Trafficking Questions? cab@equity.wa.gov Angela: 360-701-0473 Omar: 360-480-1656 English: www.equity.wa.gov/cab Espanol: www.equity.wa.gov/cabesp

Impacted communities

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color    

Formerly Incarcerated             

Intimate Partner Violence      

Homeless/Houseless  

On Probation/Parole 

Single Parent  

Eviction            

Living with Addiction

Neurodivergent           

Indian Boarding Schools          

Domestic Violence      

Living with a Disability             

Undocumented           

Sex Trafficking

Immigrant/Refugee/Asylee    

Foster Care

Sex Work                                                                                              

Accessibility, Accommodations, and Digital Equity: If selected, staff is committed to eliminating barriers to access and participation. Including, but not limited to:

Accessibility, Accommodations, and Digital Equity

Language and Translation Services    

Childcare and/or Adultcare    

Vision Aids

ASL (American Sign Language)            

Religious Accommodations (e.g Holy Days, Sabbath)             

Transportation

Mobility needs (wheelchair/crutches/cane/walker) 

Dietary Needs

Sensitivity to Fragrances

To learn more about the Community Advisory Board and to submit your application, visit the Office of Equity webpage here.

2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Season Events – We Want to Hear from You!

Pride season is just around the corner! The WA State LGBTQ Commission wants to keep an updated calendar of Pride events throughout the state. We have created this form which you can use to let us know about any event your agency or community group is planning for this year. Feel free to share this link with agencies around your area who are planning events to celebrate and honor our community. Commission staff and LGBTQ Commissioners would be delighted to share with our community at Pride events throughout the season. If you want to extend an invitation to the staff or Commissioners to attend your event in an official capacity, please submit your invitation through the Commission’s “Contact Us” page here.

Opportunities for the Community

Yield Giving Open Call – Funding Opportunity for Nonprofits

Launched on March 21, 2023, the $250 million Yield Giving Open Call is an initiative focused on elevating organizations working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States: communities, individuals, and families with access to the fewest foundational resources and opportunities. The registration period is now open. About the Open Call This initiative seeks community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to advance the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of meager or modest means, and groups who have met with discrimination and other systemic obstacles. Organizations best suited to this initiative will enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. This includes, for instance, organizations providing access to health care, stable and affordable housing, education and job training, support for sustained employment, asset ownership, civic engagement, and other pathways. They may also be engaged in data collection and communication to amplify the voices of people and communities struggling against inequities. Community-led, community-focused nonprofit organizations from across the United States and U.S. Territories are invited to apply and share the impact they have had on the abilities of individuals and families in their communities to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being. For complete information and registration form, visit this link.

The Black Trans Comedy Showcase – Lavender Rights Project Fundraiser

It’s about that time again! Please join us for a much, much needed night of laughter, community, and resistance while we fundraise for Black trans liberation! There will be light refreshments, raffle prizes, opportunities to interact with performers (bring yall’s tips!), and so much more! Come ready to donate as you learn about LRP’s work to protect Black trans life in Washington State and beyond! Get your tickets now to start off your Pride season the right way—with us—at Lavender Rights Project’s Black Trans Comedy Showcase 2023! It’s going to be a Ki!

This year, the iconic star herself, TS Madison, is hosting our night of laughter with Mx. Dahlia Belle, KJ Whitehead, and a performance by the local queen herself, Beyonce Black St. James!

Accessibility Information for Our Event

• ADA Wheelchair Seating Available Upon Request
• Masks required unless you are eating or drinking
• ASL Interpretation

For more information and tickets, visit this link.

Funding Opportunities – Services for People Living With HIV

The Washington State Department of Health OID has released two RFAs for services and activities beginning January 1, 2024. Find the full RFAs and application materials here. Applications are due June 5, 2023, by 5:00 pm PST. Ryan White RFA ($21 million available per year):  Focused on client services and service delivery to people living with HIV in Washington.  Syndemic RFA ($6 million available per year):  Focused on client services and "syndemic" service delivery of overlapping prevention efforts (e.g., infectious disease testing, linkage and navigation services, syringe service programs) for:  HIV Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Hepatitis C Infectious disease and other health consequences for people who use drugs Submit Questions by April 18th If you are considering applying, please take the time to read the entire application and begin compiling your questions. There is a short turnaround time for the question and answer period. If you have questions about the application, you can ask them through April 18, 2023 at 5:00 pm PST via email.

Save the Date: Two-Spirit Gathering in Spokane Falls

Image: Stylized sun, feather and water on yellow backgroup with QR Code, Spectrum Center logo, Spokane Pride logo Text: FREE Open to the public JUNE 9TH 2023. First date of Spokane Pride 1pm-8pm PST Riverfront Park @ The Lilac Bowl 507 N Howard St Spokane, WA 99201 QR Code link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2aCJDLLcb8jhqX9RXUhpVcroKFWnItOLCe2UzyoSXfUQHyQ/viewform

Interested in serving on Commissions and Boards?

Monthly Upcoming Appointment Opportunities

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse Washingtonians who all have unique talents, skills and experiences. Governor Inslee 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 Inslee 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.

Jobs Opportunities for LGBTQ Washingtonians

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 our Program Manager, Tracey Carlos (she/her) to tracey.carlos@lgbtq.wa.gov

Have something you want to share in our newsletter?  Please send any submissions to Tracey Carlos, Program Manager, at tracey.carlos@lgbtq.wa.gov  

Deadline for all submissions is Thursdays by 12:00 PM Pacific Time.

Published Monday mornings.