Please note: The Washington State LGBTQ Commission office will be closed from December 25^th through January 2^nd in observance of the holidays. We will return in the new year to continue serving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Washington, as we head into the 2024 Legislative Session.

The Washington State Women’s Commission is committed to promoting the economic empowerment and advancement of Washington women in high-paying careers with good benefits, including those where women are historically underrepresented. In implementing this commitment, the Women’s Commission partnered with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to gather feedback from women across the state on potential perceptions and barriers associated with pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Washington State Patrol is focused on diversifying its future workforce. This survey will help the recruitment and retention of staff in the agency and understand how women-identified persons view careers in law enforcement.  The information gathered from this anonymous survey will be used to develop recruitment strategies that target expanding gender diversity, accessibility, and creating public awareness of family-sustaining wage jobs within Washington State Patrol.

On behalf of the Women’s Commission and the Washington State Patrol, thank you for taking time to complete this anonymous survey. You can find the survey here!

Washington State’s Office of Equity is starting a three- year project with the Centre for Public Impact to reshape Washington State Government to be more relational, collaborative, and fair. We are committed to becoming a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

In January, we will begin the first 3-month phase of the project in collaboration with state leaders and community members to co-develop a shared vision, strategy, and leadership commitments for embedding equity and justice throughout Washington state government.

We need you! We seek 25 Community Members (referred to as "Community Validators") to co-create with. As a Community Validator you will participate in seven, one to one and a half hour virtual meetings between February and April 2024. In doing so you'll be in partnership with Washington State government leaders to grow the vision and strategy of Washington state government. The Centre for Public Impact will work with you and will compensate you for your participation and expertise.

To participate as a community validator you must:

- Live in Washington state

- Not be employed with the State of Washington

If you are interested in participating, please click this link: https://lnkd.in/eK5dWxf4 and add your information to this short form. Someone will then reach out to you.

Questions? Contact Sam Watson Phone: (919) 695-7275 Email: wep@centreforpublicimpact.org

Queerotica is a showcase of LGBTQIA2S+ artists and speakers celebrating diverse sexual expression and promoting healing. The event features 2D art, sculptures, and virtual projections, accompanied by speakers, intermittent music, and mood lighting, setting an inviting and sensual tone for the event.

Queerotica goes beyond the conventional boundaries of art exhibitions, offering a platform where the richness of LGBTQIA2S+ stories is celebrated through 2D art, sculptures, and virtual projections. This event is more than just an exhibition; it's a testament to the power of artistic expression in promoting healing and fostering a sense of community.

If you are interested in submitting your work or visiting the showcase, you can learn more on Capital City Pride’s website. They are accepting artist submissions now through January 26^th.

The Department of Health is launching a new online health resource for teens and young adults. 

Teen Health Hub WA (the Hub) is a new webpage on DOH’s website. DOH cocreated it with Washington teens and young adults, including members of DOH’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC). The Hub features a curated online directory of youth-friendly information and resources on behavioral health, primary care, navigating the health care system, sexual and reproductive health, and teen dating and violence prevention. Teens and young adults, parents and caregivers, and youth-serving professionals can use the new webpage to find easy links to health-related resources that have been vetted by experts at DOH and approved by the YAC.  

Over the next year, DOH will work with the YAC to expand the Hub. This will include adding more high-quality online resources, creating guides on health topics young people want to know about - like how to schedule a doctor's appointment - and developing an inventory of youth-serving resources in the state. DOH will also be adding content in Spanish, soon. 

Check it out at: Teen Health Hub WA | Washington State Department of Health   

The Attorney General’s Office is launching a statewide Youth Advisory Group for the HearMeWA Program. HearMeWA is a statewide program for receiving and responding to tips regarding risks or potential risks to the safety and well-being of youth, with plans to launch early 2024.

The purpose of the HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group is to get guidance from youth (who are lived experts) on how to make the HearMeWA program as effective as possible. Youth Advisory Group members will be compensated for their time and will provide meaningful input to the decision-making process to the HearMeWA program when it comes to branding, marketing and advertising, and accountability from the AGO Youth Program team and program feedback.

Youth will have the opportunity to:

• Be in conversations with their peers and make suggestions when it comes to the HearMeWA program in terms of its branding, marketing and advertising, scope of influence, accountability, recruitment, and program feedback.
• Gain leadership opportunities to facilitate and conduct meetings, compose notes, and hold the group accountable to the groups’ purpose and the community agreements.
• Become more conscious of and knowledgeable about community issues and the larger factors that affect their and others lives.
• Provide a youth perspective to the HearMeWA Program.
• Represent the HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group at events to create awareness about the program.

HearMeWA is looking for youth who are between the ages of 12-25 and are living in Washington State. Youth who are motivated and committed to learning and addressing issues related to youth, have a vision for the future and are not afraid to voice their opinions in a respectful way are highly encouraged to apply.

The deadline to submit an application is the end of the day, 1/1/2024. Applications will be thoroughly reviewed and applicants can expect to hear about their submission by January 22. After January 22, selected members will learn more about the group and its expectations, including: dates and times of meetings, roles and responsibilities, and more. Virtual meetings will occur quarterly on Tuesday evenings. HearMeWA plans to hold the first meeting in February 20, 2024.

Click this link for the youth application: https://www.research.net/r/youthadvisorygroupapplication

Please share this information with youth who would be interested in participating and with your networks. If you have any additional questions, please email the HereMeWA program at youthprogram@atg.wa.gov. Thank you!

The Washington State Department of Commerce is initiating a Request for Application (RFA) process to fund $500,000 in fiscal year 2024 for the physical security of nonprofit and religious nonprofit institutions. Grant recipients must have reasons to believe they have been subject to security threats and demonstrate a need for enhanced security. Grant funding must be used and limited to purchasing security hardware and equipment to enhance the security of the buildings and grounds of such organizations.

Responses to the RFA are due by 5 p.m. PST, Dec. 19^th, 2023.

Please click this link to learn more

We’ve been watching the leaves change color and recovering from our first colds of the school season, and that means it is finally time – the Pride Foundation 2024 scholarship application is now open.

The Pride Foundation’s scholarships fund LGBTQ+ students who are leaders – in their own lives, in their families, in their home communities, in their field of study, in their workplace, or in our movements for justice. The Pride Foundation’s program provides resources to students who need to most, regardless of school, major, or GPA.

Since awarding their first scholarship in 1992, Pride Foundation has awarded over $8.5 million to 2,452 students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Through the incredible generosity of our community, Pride Foundation has more than 60 scholarship funds – but students only need to complete one application.

Applications are due Friday, January 5, 2024, and any LGBTQ+ student who is a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington state is eligible to apply. You can find out more details about the basic requirements, process, and application here.

Help us make sure every student in our region knows about the opportunity for support – please help spread the word to students in your networks – or apply yourself!

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.