Washington State LGBTQ Commission Executive Director Lisa Keating had an amazing time at the Wenatchee @applesox Pride Night! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ This was the first ever Pride Night by a professional team in North Central Washington. ⚾️🌈(cont.)

Health care works best when people feel safe being themselves. Inclusive, respectful care helps improve health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. The Apple Health (Medicaid) Transhealth Program helps eligible members access care and support services. Learn more: hca.wa.gov/transhealth

We just raised the Pride flag in Olympia. I want Washingtonians to know that there is zero chance we would ever bend the knee to the hate and attacks we see from Washington DC. You have my word on that.

Today at the OIC we raised the Pride flag 🏳️‍🌈 to honor Pride month. To our LGBTQIA+ neighbors: we are here for you. ❤️

Raising the flag today is an acknowledgment of how far we’ve come, a promise to continue, and vow that we’re not going back. 2/2

Visibility during Pride is even more important in the face of renewed efforts to erase and harm the LGBTQ+ community. Our efforts to protect LGBTQ+ rights are strengthened by the visibility and bravery of individuals, families, and allies who refuse to hide. 1/2

As we start our celebration of Pride Month, I'm excited to see our strong ranking and positive movement up the list in the annual LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index from Out Leadership. Times like this, with outrageous attacks coming from the federal government, are when our commitment is tested.

Washington residents: Share your thoughts on key questions shaping the future of K–12 student behavioral health supports across Washington. The 1st Community Sounding Board questionnaire for the Policy Codesign for K–12 School Behavioral Health project is open now. Responses due by Friday, May 29.

📢It's almost time for Washington's annual pride flag raising!📢 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Join @governorferguson.bsky.social, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, and the Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network as we raise the intersex-inclusive progress pride flag at the Capitol Campus! (cont.)

This past Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued its decision in a case 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. (cont.)

On Transgender Day of Visibility today, we uplift and celebrate transgender Washingtonians. I admire their resilience in the face of adversity. In Washington, we'll always stand up for the rights of transgender individuals. That won’t change as long as I am Governor.

🏳️‍⚧️The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is proud to share this year's Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation signed by @govferguson 🏳️‍⚧️Now more than ever, it is critically important for the state to uplift and support our transgender and gender nonconforming community.🫂 (cont.)

‼️REMINDER! Today starting at 12pm! 🕛Join us in Seattle or online for the first day of our public meeting. 🤝Today, our commissioners will be hearing from the Lieutenant Governor about the work his office has done around housing, as well as from the Governor's Policy Office and... (cont.)

📢REMINDER! TODAY AT 6PM! 📢In anticipation of our March public meeting this week, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission and Estelita's Library are hosting a 2SLGBTQIA+ Housing Panel on March 25th! 🏡🏢🏘️

2/3: “This is a resounding win for the rights of youth, their families, and the rule of law when it comes to medical care,” AG Nick Brown said. “The court agrees that the administration ignored the law in its rush to deprive transgender youth of the health care they are legally entitled to.”

Thank you to AG Nick Brown and his team for their tireless work protecting transgender Washingtonians. Read more about this win here: www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-re...

Last year, we announced the Department of Health is processing all requests to change gender designation on birth certificates within 3 business days, down from as much as a 10 month wait. This week, I signed a bill ensuring Washingtonians can change the sex designation on their state IDs...

In anticipation of our March public meeting, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission and Estelita's Library are hosting a 2SLGBTQIA+ Housing Panel on March 25th! 🏡🏢🏘️ (cont.)

Visit hca.wa.gov/transhealth for more information on Apple Health's Transgender Health Program! 🏳️‍⚧️

📥Check your inbox, the Commission's March 2026 newsletter is here! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧ Head to the link in our bio to read this month's issue! 🔗(cont.)

Gender-affirming care remains legal and protected in the state of Washington. Last year, our team secured a preliminary injunction blocking two executive orders that threaten to end federal funding to medical institutions providing gender-affirming care.

🌈The Washington State LGBTQ Commission currently has applications open for our LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council! 🌈 We are seeking 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 14-25 from all across the state to apply for this exciting and unique opportunity to influence public policy and advocate for your community! 🏛️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈(cont.)

📢Interested in hearing about what the LGBTQ Commission is working on? Want to provide a public comment to the LGBTQ Commission? Come to our March public meeting in Seattle, Washington!🏙️ Hear from state agency leadership and staff around Washington's response to 2SLGBTQIA+ housing concerns.🏘️🏢🏡(cont.)

👋Commissioner Omni Romero (they/them/elle - Tri-Cities, WA) here to share about Senate Bill 6081: Protecting Washingtonians from invasion of privacy, including the unauthorized disclosure of sex designation information and historic sex designation changes in official government records. 🗃️🔐

📢To kick off their Community Connection Sessions, the WA State LGBTQ Commission’s International Committee invites you to join discussions for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across generations! 📢 (cont.)

@atg.wa.gov Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown announced this week that he is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for forcing states to comply with transgender discrimination to receive federal funding.

‼️TOMORROW! Join the Washington State LGBTQ Commission for our first public meeting of the year! This meeting is focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare. Hear from state agency leadership and staff around Washington's response to 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare concerns, including from HCA Director Ryan Moran.⚕️

📥Check your inbox, the Commission's January 2026 newsletter is here! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧This month is focused on the upcoming legislative session. From messages from our Legislative Priorities Committee and Legislative Advisors to a profile on one of the Commission's policy advisors in the Governor's office, (cont.)

We’re headed to court over the HHS secretary’s unlawful attempt to change medical standards for young people who need gender-affirming care. The law does not change on one man’s whim, and this care remains legal under federal and state law. Read more here: www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-re...

3/3: ✅ Washington’s Shield Law protects people in Washington from investigations or court proceedings in another state that concern lawful gender-affirming care provided here. Learn more here: www.atg.wa.gov/reproductive...

2/3: ✅ Washington’s Medicaid program, Apple Health, covers gender-affirming care when it is medically necessary, safe, effective, and not experimental.

1/3: Gender-affirming care is legal and protected in Washington state. ✅ Health insurers cannot deny or limit gender-affirming care coverage for people of any age when it’s prescribed as medically necessary.

The proposed rule targeting healthcare for transgender and gender diverse people is cruel, and unnecessary. Under the law in WA, necessary healthcare for transgender people is lawful and legally protected. Proposed rules are not the law – nothing has changed in WA.

📢Interested in hearing about what the LGBTQ Commission is working on? Want to provide a public comment to the LGBTQ Commission? Come to our January public meeting in Olympia, Washington!🏛️

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 landmark case that legalized marriage equality nationwide. Here in Washington, same-sex marriage was legalized in 2012. (cont.)

Today, Washington honors the transgender lives we have lost to hate-crimes and violence. Our state continues to work to be a place where every trans person can live safely and without fear. @governorferguson.bsky.social

[REPOST] You're invited to a series of community listening sessions hosted by Washington State's Immigration Sub-cabinet. The next listening session is TOMORROW, November 20th from 6-8pm, and another session will occur on November 21st from 6-8pm. (cont.)

Our Operations & Policy Manager, Sam Fennell, just presented at the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Conference 2025 Fall Research Conference! The session focused on federal rollbacks to LGBTQI+ data protections and what this means for community safety. (cont.)

Washington has one of the longest lifespans in the country and is home to an increasingly diverse aging population. Washington was recognized as an Age- and Dementia-Friendly state by AARP and Dementia Friendly America (DFA) in 2024. (Cont.)

On Veterans Day, we recognize those who've served our country, including the many 2SLGBTQIA+ veterans who have served with strength, determination, and pride. Scroll for resources from @wdva.bsky.social and check out lgbtq.wa.gov/veterans for more information.

The Washington State LGBTQ+ Commission is extremely grateful that the Supreme Court has denied a formal request to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges. Washington state has been, and will continue to be, a leader in the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights.

Transgender health care services covered under Apple Health include gender-affirming surgeries, hormone therapy, and mental health services. Learn more about available services to support #transhealth care needs at Updated link: https://loom.ly/PfcBbr0

Seeing the recent news SCOTUS released regarding the ability for transgender and non-binary people to obtain passports with the correct gender marker, the Commission is working with the Governor’s office and our state agency partners to further understand the impacts (cont.)

You're invited to a series of community listening sessions hosted by Washington State's Immigration Sub-cabinet. The next listening session is November 20th from 6-8pm, and another session will occur on November 21st from 6-8pm.

November is Transgender Awareness Month, and this November we want to remind transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming Washingtonians that this state is here for you.

Thanks to two lawsuits, including one from Washington, the Trump Administration has been forced to provide at least partial SNAP benefits for November. We’re moving to ensure we’re ready to get benefits to people as quickly as possible once the federal government takes action.

Washingtonians are stepping up during this difficult time. I encourage everyone to keep supporting local food banks and pantries if you’re able. The Republican-controlled Congress needs to get the government working and restore full SNAP benefits.

Are you or your family impacted by the continued federal government shutdown? We understand this is a stressful time for many Washingtonians. You can find local food banks and other resources through Washington 211. Call 211 or visit wa211.org to learn more.

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown is leading a coalition of states to protect transgender youth in sports. To read the full statement from AG Brown or read the amicus brief, head to the link in our bio.

Important News to Share: A Seattle-based federal judge quashed a subpoena from the DOJ that would have resulted in a gender-affirming care provider in Washington being forced to turn over sensitive information around patients receiving gender-affirming care and providers.