May 30, 2022 Newsletter

Connect with the Commission

Save the Date! Rainbow Flag Raising on Capitol Campus 

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is pleased to announce the date for the annual Rainbow Flag Raising on Capitol Campus, scheduled for Tuesday, June 21st at 12:15 pm on the flag circle between the Capitol building and the Temple of Justice. Governor Jay Inslee, along with representatives from all branches of state government, LGBTQ Commissioners, and RAIN leadership will be raising the progress rainbow flag on the Capitol campus. 

The Rainbow Flag

In 1978 Gilbert Baker, an artist and drag performer from San Francisco created the rainbow flag after Harvey Milk, a prominent LGBTQ advocate in the city, encouraged Baker to come up with a symbol of pride for the community. Mr. Baker decided to create a flag with colors that would symbolize the diversity and resiliency of the LGBTQ community. The original flag had eight colors, each representing an important aspect of importance to the community: 

• Hot Pink: Sexuality 
• Red: Life 
• Orange: Healing 
• Yellow: Sunlight 
• Green: Nature
• Turquoise: Magic 
• Indigo: Serenity 
• Violet: Spirit 

Due to the difficulty in securing some of the dyes for the fabric, Baker made some slight changes to the original flag. Hot Pink and Turquoise were eliminated, and Navy Blue was replaced for Indigo, although keeping the same meaning of Serenity. This final version of the Rainbow Flag has been associated with the pride and empowerment of the LGBTQ community in the United States since its beginning, and has been adopted by LGBTQ individuals throughout the world. Today, it is indisputable that the rainbow flag is the symbol of our community. 

What about the new flags?

Like many symbols, the rainbow flag is the product of its historical context. As such, it carries with it the rich history of the LGBTQ community that birthed it. Part of that rich history is the recognition that not all groups have been embraced by sectors of the community. Racism, misogyny, transphobia, lesbophobia, biphobia, xenophobia, patriarchy, white supremacy, and many other oppressive systems have permeated within the LGBTQ community. Many vulnerable groups have recognized the power of symbols, and they have birthed their own symbols of liberation as extensions of the original rainbow flag. Others have created symbols to make their communities more recognizable. All these flags and symbols speak to the importance of representation and community support that LGBTQ deserve. Today you can see flags that represent the lesbian community, transgender people, intersex people, and many others within the LGBTQ spectrum. 

In 2017, after several attacks to LGBTQ communities of color, particularly attacks to Black and Latin LGBTQ people in Philadelphia, the city partnered with LGBTQ grassroots organizers to come up with a new design for the Pride Rainbow Flag. This resulted in what is now known as the “Philly Progress Rainbow Flag.” This flag added two more strips. A Black stripe represents the Black and African American community, not only in recognition of this community as integral to the LGBTQ family, but also as homage to Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman who was central to the modern LGBTQ liberation movement. A Brown stripe represents other communities of color, such as Pacific Islander-Americans, Native Hawaiians, Asian Americans, Indigenous, and Latin LGBTQ people. 

More recently, other iterations of the rainbow flag have been created. An updated progress flag added a chevron (triangle) on the hoist side of the flag (the side of the flag from which it is raised.) This chevron has the colors of the transgender flag: light pink, light blue, and white. More recently, this flag was also updated to include a yellow triangle with a purple circle to represent the intersex community. 

What flag will Washington raise? 

On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 2:30 pm Governor Jay Inslee, along with community representatives from SAGE Olympia and Pizza Klatch, raised the traditional rainbow flag on the Capitol Campus for the first time. This historic moment marked the beginning of an annual tradition that even the COVID-19 pandemic did not interrupt. In 2020, Governor Inslee and J. Manny Santiago, inaugural director of the recently established Washington State LGBTQ Commission, released video greetings to the community, as the Rainbow Flag was once again raised on the Capitol Campus. The event was also broadcast live through the Commission’s social media channels. In 2021, following health and safety protocols, Governor Inslee alongside community members and representatives from RAIN and the LGBTQ Commission, raised the rainbow flag once more. 

This year, Washington state will once again make history. On Tuesday, June 21st at 12:15 pm, the Governor alongside members of the LGBTQ Commission, community partners, representatives from all branches of government, RAIN representatives, and members of local tribes will gather once more to raise the PROGRESS FLAG with both the trans and the intersex symbols! Thus far, the Commission has not confirmed if other states would fly this version of the rainbow flag. If this is true (and please let us know), Washington will be the first state in the nation raising the progress flag with the trans and intersex symbols. As other states around the country continue passing legislation to curtail LGBTQ rights for their residents, Washington boldly proclaims that our state is one where equity, diversity, inclusion, justice, and belonging are at the core of who we are. In Washington, every person BELONGS!  

Program Manager Tracey Carlos checking the recently acquired intersex inclusive progress flag

Connect with the Community

Opportunities for the Community

Washington State Women’s Commission Statement on the Uvalde, Texas School Shooting

As mothers and women who believe we all have a sacred duty to protect our nation’s children, we are gutted by the deaths of 19 fourth grade children and two teachers who were shot in their classroom by a man who had easy access to a firearm. The children were just two days away from their summer vacation where they should be cooling down in sprinklers, munching popsicles before they melt, and spending time with their loved ones. This tragedy not only includes their deaths, but also the devastating trauma inflicted on the hundreds of children that experienced this tragedy first-hand, the millions of children across our country who fearfully ask, “Will this happen at my school?”, and the parents and caregivers who cannot honestly promise that it won’t. Today, in the aftermath of this traumatic event, Americans are expected to carry on as usual, because gun violence in our country has become normal. In some ways, we have become desensitized to the level of gun violence we experience. Last week, it was a grocery store and a church, this week a classroom of children. It begs the question, how many lives must be taken before Congress enacts meaningful gun legislation? How long will the American people be held captive by the gun lobby and the politicians beholden to them? Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the inalienable rights granted to Americans in the Declaration of Independence. What about the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for our nation’s children? Let’s be clear that living in fear that you or your loved one will be killed at school, the grocery store, church, or walking down the street falls well short of freedom. Inevitably, when a mass shooting in the U.S. occurs and the American people call for action, the conversation is derailed to one of mental health. It is critical that we remember that those suffering from mental illness are far more likely to be the victim of a crime than the perpetrator. While addressing the very real mental health needs of our citizens is deeply important, the temptation to focus on mental illness to the detriment of focusing on gun violence not only distracts from the real issue but also creates an environment in which the millions of Americans struggling with mental illness are vilified instead of supported. Mental illness is not unique to the United States, but our rate of gun violence very much is. The only logical conclusion is that the United States irrefutably has a gun problem.   This year our country has had 27 school shootings and 212 mass shootings—but 2022 isn’t over. Last year there were 693 mass shootings; if this trend continues we will have 481 more mass shootings by the end of the year.   Thoughts and prayers are not enough–they never have been enough. It’s time for tangible action to protect our nation’s children. The average firearm homicide rate in states without background checks is 58 percent higher than the average in states with background-check laws in place. We call on the federal government to institute key gun violence measures proposed in Congress including universal background checks, behavioral health screenings, and waiting periods for every gun purchase. The highest risk factor for violence isn’t a mental health disorder, it’s the presence of firearms. Our current inaction regarding gun regulations tells our children that we don’t mean what we say when we say our children are the most important thing to us. The National Parent’s Union stated, “As a nation, our track record of putting children before politics, before special interests, is shameful and leaves us with little hope. Please prove us wrong.”  The Washington State Women’s Commission calls on Congress to enact key legislation to address the gun violence endemic in America. There is no time for hollow words of comfort, no time for thoughts and prayers – only time for meaningful policy change to prove to our children that their lives matter and that, as a country, we will protect them from this recurring nightmare. Tangibly show the American people the lives of our citizens–especially our children– mean more to this nation than scoring political points. Join our call to action by contacting your Senators’ office directly or call (202) 224-3121 to be connected directly with your Senators’ office.

Washington State Employees: Join RAIN for a Pride Month Leadership Panel and Celebration! 

RAIN Pride month #yearbook leadership panel and celebration June 16th 2022 2:30-4:30 PM. Featuring Cindy Guertim-Anderson, Darrow Brown, Tara Smith, and J. Manny Santiago. Join RAIN in celebrating Pride Month on June 16th at 2:30. RAIN is joined by leaders in state government to talk and discuss LGBTQ+ issues, their personal journeys through state government, finding and helping others find belonging in the community while at work, and increasing LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Followed by membership mingle from 4 to 4:30. Auto captioning services will be provided for this event. Additional accomodation requests should be sent to rain@ofm.wa.gov. https://lgbtq.wa.gov/rain

Alphabet Alliance of Color Leadership Institute

Applications due by June 1 | Institute June 2022 - December 2022 The Alphabet Institute is an opportunity for QTBIPOC to increase their leadership skills. By facilitating mentorship relationships, the Institute helps connect community members with each other in non-hierarchical and reciprocal ways, with an understanding that we can all learn from each other. These transformational relationships support people in growth toward their own radical visions and goals. More information and application through this link.

Reimagining Access to Substance Use Services with and for Youth and Young Adults

Health Care Authority (HCA), Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) is excited to be partnering with Do Big Good, a human-centered design consulting firm to work with young people, reimaging access and treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) services. They will facilitate co-design sessions with youth and young adults (YYA) as well as facilitate community sessions with parents, families, behavioral health providers and YYA serving agencies. Do Big Good will produce a report inclusive of the co-design process and recommendations from young people that will be incorporated into the behavioral health strategic plan from HB1890, Concerning the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Workgroup. Recruiting youth, young adults (13-24) Compensation will be offered for the session. We will be leaning on you as YYA behavioral health agencies, service providers and families in identifying young people to participate in the initial project plan development (late May, early June) as well as participate in co-design sessions (June-August). More information to come soon. Wanting this on your radar and to be thinking about young people to share this info with as well as participating yourself as a parent/guardian, youth, young adult serving agency. 😊 Please reach out if interested or have any questions! – Amanda Lewis (she/her) amanda.lewis@hca.wa.gov or 360-628-1730.

Healthy Youth Survey - Partners Feedback

Share your feedback on The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey. Biennial partner meetings are scheduled for mid May-June and will provide an opportunity for feedback on 2023 survey questions. Partner feedback meetings will be held online via Zoom. Registration is required. A detailed agenda and materials will be distributed one week prior to the meetings. The agenda will be identical for both dates, so you do not need to attend both meetings. Meeting dates are: Thursday, May 12, Zoom 8:30 am -5:00 pm. Register Here. Thursday, June 9, Zoom, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Register Here. Topics include: Lifetime and current alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use Other alcohol questions Other tobacco questions Other marijuana questions Other ATOD use (Prescription, general ATOD questions, school use) Nutrition, fitness, height and weight Mental health, social and emotional, and quality of life Bullying and harassment Disability, health conditions and care, sleep Peer-individual risk and protective factors Abuse Community risk and protective factors Sexual behavior Safety, fighting, gangs, gambling Demographics and miscellaneous (e.g., work, honesty) School support, prevention, attendance School risk and protective factors Family risk and protective factors COVID If you are not able to attend the meetings you can still offer feedback. Please offer feedback here.

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