The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is deeply saddened and troubled to hear of the death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old Oklahoma teen who died after a fight in a school bathroom in Owasso, Oklahoma. While details regarding Nex's death are still being uncovered, it is clear that Nex was bullied as a result of Nex's gender identity – a reality that too many 2SLGBTQIA+ youth face around the country. Nex Benedict deserved to live a long, full, and happy life. We extend our condolences to Nex’s family and friends during this impossibly difficult time. Harmful, Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and political action across the county has fueled attacks like these against the most vulnerable members of our community. While we do have many protections in our state laws here in Washington for 2SLGBTQIA+ individual - we are absolutely never done. We as a Commission remain vigilant in our duty to contribute meaningfully to policy that affects 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians and to monitor conditions across the state that might harmfully affect youth in our community. We would like to connect the community with the following national mental health resources and organizations to support following this tragedy:

• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people. The Trevor Project services include crisis service (call and chat lines), advocacy, research, education, and public awareness.
• Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s run by and for trans people. Services include a peer support phone hotline and microgrants for trans and non-binary people.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.​

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 Pride this year. You can also use the QR code in the image. Feel free to share this link and QR code with agencies around your area who are planning events to celebrate and honor our community.

The LGBTQ Commission reserves the right to publish the information of the event, and here are some guidelines we will follow in making our decision on what events will be published:

• Events that go against the mission, vision, and values of the LGBTQ Commission will not be publish on the calendar.
• Only community events will be accepted for publication. No commercial events at bars, clubs, restaurants, or paid venues will be accepted for publication. (It’s OK if a community event has an entrance fee.)
• Political, partisan, and religious events will not be accepted for publication.
• Acceptance for publication of an event on the Commission’s calendar does not constitute endorsement, support, or sponsorship of such event on the part of the Commission, its staff, Commissioners, or affiliated agencies.

The WA State LGBTQ Commission is starting a Youth Advisory Council for the Office of the Governor! This is an amazing opportunity to join the LGBTQ Commission and help the Governor in advancing equity in our state. Use your ideas, lived experience, and expertise to inform policies that directly impact some of the most vulnerable members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the state. Youth Advisory Council members will be paid by a stipend for meeting attendance. Since this a new committee, the first members will be a part of shaping the structure of the council.

If you are interested in receiving more information about our Youth Advisory Council or wish to receive a link to the application once it is released, please fill out this form!

If you work for an organization that serves 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and want to learn more and help us share the word, please reach out to Sam Fennell, our Program Manager, at Samuel.Fennell@lgbtq.wa.gov. 

The mission of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission is to improve the state’s interface with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, and intersex community, identify the needs of its members, and ensuring that there is an effective means of advocating for LGBTQ equity in all aspects of state government. We accomplish this work by listening and engaging our community throughout the state with the support of 15 members, appointed by the Governor, to serve for a three-year term as Commissioners.

If you are a resident of Washington, over 18 years old, and who identifies within the LGBTQ and Two Spirit community, you qualify to serve as a Commissioner! We are looking for people who understand the challenges facing the LGBTQ in Washington today, who are interested in shaping policy to support LGBTQ Washingtonians, and who can really commit to being present to advocate with and for the community. The WA State LGBTQ Commission offers stipends for qualified, appointed Commissioners according to the “Community Compensation Guidelines” adopted by the Office of Equity and found here. Everyone is welcome to apply, and LGBTQ Washingtonians with expertise or lived experience in these areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Rural communities and cities and towns outside of the I-5 corridor
• Older LGBTQ people
• LGBTQ and Two-Spirit members of Tribal Nations
• Disabled and neurodivergent LGBTQ people
• Active military servicepeople, veterans, or spouses
• Small business owners and entrepreneurs
• LGBTQ people of mixed, Desi, Black, Latina/o/x, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander racial and ethnic identities

If you are interested in being considered to serve as an appointed Commissioner, please fill out the application form found on the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions here. You can also nominate others to be considered. If you have applied in the past, were not selected, but want to be considered again, please fill out a new application.

Save The Dates!

The Say It Out Loud (SIOL) Conference began in 2001 to provide space for education, networking, and sharing knowledge to improve care and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and our communities. All are welcome. Attendees have included professionals serving all ages and populations, non-profit agencies who serve 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families, behavioral and mental health, substance use, child welfare, education, criminal justice, etc. Interpreter Services and Captioning Provided.

Dates: May 19 - 20, 2024

Location: Yakima Convention Center - 10 N 8th Street, Yakima, WA 98901

Registration ($100) opens in February!

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the 2024 SIOL Conference? Email us at contactus@sayingitoutloud.org

Interested in speaking at this year's conference? Call for Proposals now open!

For more information on call for proposals click here.

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.