Mission & Vision

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: As public servants committed to advancing equity and fostering liberation for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people, we embrace humility, compassion, diversity, collaboration, respect, and joy in our work. We pledge to honor public involvement, community accessibility, and to listen and proactively center the needs of the most marginalized members of our community.

Apply to be a Washington State LGBTQ Commissioner!

We accomplish the work of our mission above 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! 

Everyone is welcome to apply, and 2SLGBTQIA+ 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 2SLGBTQIA+ people
  • LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit members of Tribal Nations
  • Disabled and neurodivergent 2SLGBTQIA+ people
  • Active military servicepeople, veterans, or spouses
  • Small business owners and entrepreneurs
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ 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 this application form found on the Governor's Office of Boards and Commission's website or click the image to your right. 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. There is no application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis with final recommendations submitted in June. If you are interested, we encourage you to apply as fast as possible! 

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 which can be found here

If you have any questions about the Commissioner application process, please reach out to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov and a member of our staff will connect with you.