Olympia, WA -- Governor Jay Inslee, upon request from the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, signed the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Asexual, Aromantic, Queer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, and Intersex Pride Month. This ceremonial proclamation affirms Washington’s commitment to the LGBTQ community.
Governor Inslee joins the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, RAIN, and representatives from all branches of government and community organizations to raise the intersex progress rainbow flag on the Capitol Campus this June 13th. This progress flag includes stripes and symbols representing Black and other BIPOC communities, the transgender and gender expansive community, as well as the intersex community. The flag raising ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 13th at 12:00 p.m. on the flag circle between the Temple of Justice and the State Capitol building.
LGBTQ and ally organizations in Washington are encouraged to use and distribute this proclamation to their constituents. The Washington State LGBTQ Commission has made available a PDF of the proclamation here.
The text of the proclamation is as follows:
Whereas, Washington state recognizes that one of its greatest strengths is the diversity of its people; and
Whereas, Washington state has a long-standing tradition of upholding the dignity of the individual, supporting legal equality and fair treatment for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and ensuring that acts of discrimination and hatred will not be tolerated; and
Whereas, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, queer, two-spirit, non-binary, and intersex communities (LGBTQ) contribute to our state’s success and strengths in a great number of immeasurable ways; and
Whereas, the LGBTQ community continues to be a target of violence, harassment, and discrimination by many and yet continues to thrive through the support of LGBTQ-affirming spaces, agencies, and individual allies; and
Whereas, in 2024 the rise of anti-LGBTQ legislation continues across the nation, criminalizing drag performances, restricting LGBTQ content in literature, banning transgender athletes from competition, and removing access to age-appropriate gender affirming care for minors, putting LGBTQ people of all ages in danger throughout the nation; and
Whereas, the state of Washington has positioned itself as a safe place for LGBTQ people with expanded protections for all; and
Whereas, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, queer, two-spirit, non-binary, and intersex Washingtonians invite all people to join them during the month of June in celebrating the resiliency and contributions of the community;
Now, therefore, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim June 2024 as
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Asexual, Aromantic, Queer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, and Intersex Pride Month
in Washington, and I encourage all people in our state to join this special observance.