Washington State Resources

STATEWIDE RESOURCES WITH A SHARED PURPOSE

Washington State LGBTQ Commission

Official Website

Mission:

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission works 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.

Vision:

The Washington State LGBTQ Commission envisions a state where every two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex Washingtonian of any age feels safe, supported, and empowered.

About the LGBTQ Commission

After many years of grassroots advocacy, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission was established by the Washington Legislature through SB5356, with Senator Claire Wilson, the first openly lesbian Senator in Washington, as the primary sponsor. Governor Inslee signed the bill into law in May 13, 2019.

The LGBTQ Commission is a state agency with an advisory board of 15 commissioners who identify as part of the LGBTQ community in the state. Each commissioner is appointed by the Governor and serves a three-year term. Commissioners represent the wealth of experiences and diversity of the LGBTQ community in Washington and come from different parts of the state. Four members of the State Legislature, one from each chamber and each political caucus also serve as as legislative advisors. (Currently, the Commission counts with one Senator and two Representatives.)

Our mission is to improve the government's interface with the LGBTQ community, identifying the needs of its members, and ensuring that there is an effective means of advocating for LGBTQ equity in all aspects of state government (RCW 43.114).

Foundation Documents of the LGBTQ Commission

Washington State Department of Licensing

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October 10, 2019 | Washington State Department of Licensing

Gender X | Non-binary gender marker for Washington driver licenses, instruction permits and ID cards

Starting November 12, 2019 WA State Residents will be able to self-attest (no need to get a healthcare provider's signature or consent) to update their gender marker to X on their Wasington State IDs!

Background: In November 2018 the Department of Licensing (DOL) received a rulemaking petition to allow for a nonbinary gender designation on driver licenses, instruction permits, and identification cards. In December 2018, DOL filed a proposal statement of inquiry with the Office of the Code Reviser to explore an “X” designation. In June 2019, DOL held listening sessions in Seattle and Spokane to gather community feedback. On July 2, 2019 DOL filed a CR-102 form with proposed rule language, and held public hearings in August in Olympia, Seattle, and Spokane. Washington will be the 17th state to offer a gender “X” designation on driver licenses and identification cards.

For the official statement explanatory statement from DOL, click here: https://www.dol.wa.gov/about/docs/driver-rules/308-104-x-ces.pdf

Change your gender designation: Driver licenses and ID cards

American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State

aclu_kyr_transgender_guide_2019.pdf

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The Rights of Transgender People in Washington State - Updates Pending (April/May 2022)

Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2019

This guide is designed to help transgender individuals understand their legal rights in Washington State. It is not meant to provide legal advice.

The current legal system assumes individuals identify as one gender, either male or female. While this guide provides an understanding of the current legal system, the ACLU recognizes that many people do not identify as male or female. A person may identify or express as a specific gender, both genders, or neither gender.

Transgender Rights - Washington State

All people have a right to be who they are, and to live a life free from discrimination. Yet in housing, employment, and public places— including restrooms— in Washington, transgender and non-binary people are unfairly targeted, excluded, and harassed. Many LGBTQ+ organizations, including Yakima Pride, in Washington State work to ensure that transgender, non-binary and gender-nonconforming people have the same rights as everyone else. We’re fighting illegal discrimination wherever it exists, ensuring transgender people have access to the health care they need, helping to remove obstacles to obtaining legal name changes and gender marker changes on identification documents, and fighting for the rights of transgender parents.

For additional resources and information about transgender rights, please see: