Washington State Inclusive Laws and Policies
Resources included here are for educational purposes only and do not indicate affiliation or partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.
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Washington state will remain a place where everyone can thrive, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Washington state is dedicated to protecting and advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. This page is dedicated to highlighting your rights in Washington.
Our state has a long history of protecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, but we always know that there are places we can improve. Interested in learning more about advocating for laws and policies that you are passionate about? Head to our Advocacy and Civic Engagement page to get connected with resources and organizations that can help you get started.
Listed below, the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) specifies the protected classes, including sexual orientation and gender identity, and their rights against discrimination. For those who have experienced discrimination, there are resources detailing the steps to file a complaint, proceed with legal action, or learn further about your rights.
Relevant RCW chapters that relate to 2SLGBTQIA+ protection and inclusion. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) is the collection of all state laws that have been enacted by the state legislature. You can search the RCW here.
RCW 49.60 - Washington Law Against Discrimination & Human Rights Commission
- RCW 49.60 establishes the WLAD (Washington Law Against Discrimination) and the Washington State Human Rights Commission.
RCW 26.04 - Marriage and RCW 26.60 - Domestic Partnerships
- Washington state has recognized same-sex marriage since 2012 and has recognized same-sex domestic partnerships since 2007.
RCW 9A.36.080 - Hate crime offense—Definition and criminal penalty
- Defines hate crime offenses when acts are motivated by perceived identities, including sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
RCW 9A.08.040 - The Nikki Kuhnhausen Act
- This RCW eliminates the "gay panic" or "trans panic" defense ensuring that someone's perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation cannot justify violence.
RCW 74.09.675 - Gender-affirming care services - Prohibited discrimination
- This law outlines insurance protections in Washington state around gender-affirming care services. This RCW also defines "gender-affirming treatment" as "a service or product that a health care provider, as defined in RCW 70.02.010, prescribes to an individual to support and affirm the individual's gender identity. Gender-affirming treatment includes, but is not limited to, treatment for gender dysphoria. Gender-affirming treatment can be prescribed to two spirit, transgender, nonbinary, and other gender diverse individuals."
RCW 7.115 - Protected Health Care Services
- Establishes the protected health care services shield law, which extends to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services.
RCW 18.130.180 - Banning Conversion Therapy
- Adds performing conversion therapy to the list of "conducts, acts, or conditions that constitute unprofessional conduct for any license holder under the jurisdiction of this chapter".
RCW 28A.642 - Discrimination Prohibition in Washington Public Schools
- This law prohibits discrimination in public schools on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity as well as other protected classes. RCW 28A.642.080 specifically outlines Washington's transgender student policy and procedure.
RCW 28A.405.170 - Protecting teachers use of LGBTQ curriculum
- Protects Washington educators from penalization when including LGBTQ-related subject matter in age-appropriate curriculum.
RCW 43.60A.240 - LGBTQ Coordinator created for Washington Department of Veterans Affairs
- Mandates that an LGBTQ+ Veterans Outreach Coordinator position is made in WDVA to assist and support LGBTQ+ veterans and their families. For more information, visit WDVA's LGBTQ+ Veterans page here.
- This law establishes the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, a state commission dedicated to "improving the state'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 43.114.070 - Establishing LGBTQ Pride Month
- This chapter declares the month of June as LGBTQ Pride Month, specifying that the fourth week of June is "designated as a time for people of this state to celebrate the contributions to the state by LGBTQ people in the arts, sciences, commerce, and education".
Inclusive laws and policies make 2SLGBTQIA+ lives better, and we have the data to back that up.
Washington State LGBTQ+ Survey Results:
- Nearly all survey participants find 2SLGBTQIA+ resources to be at least somewhat available in Washington (97.9%).
- Most have benefited from Washington State policies and protections pertaining to 2SLGBTQIA+ people (75.6%)
- Nearly all believe that these policies and protections have improved the attitudes of the general public toward 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians (95.7%)
- Participants generally perceive that gender-affirming legal processes in the state are easy to navigate.
- Nearly 70% of participants (68.4%) who have changed their gender on their Washington driver’s license, and more than half (55.1%) of people who have changed their legal name while living in Washington, report having easy experiences.
- Read more about the policies that 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians benefit from and learn about places where our state still needs to grow, in the Washington State LGBTQ+ Survey Final Report.
Citation: Gillig, T. K., Crain, C., Janssen, C., Price, E., Warren, O. E., Zarcone, A., & Moreno, Z. (2025). Washington LGBTQ+ Survey Report 2025. Washington State University. https://www.walgbtqsurvey.com/
Relevant WAC chapters that relate to 2SLGBTQIA+ protection and inclusion. The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) is the collection of rules and regulations created by state agencies to implement laws outlines in the Revised Code of Washington. You can search the WAC here.
WAC 164-32 - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- This WAC implements RCW 49.60 (the Washington Law Against Discrimination) protections based on sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity. These protections extend to employment, housing, and public accommodations.
WAC 110-145-1710 - DCYF Non-Discrimination
- This WAC requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to support and provide resources to children that support the child's needs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.
WAC 246-490-075 - Changing sex designation on a birth certificate
- This rule guides the Department of Health around allowing adults, or minors with a guardian, to self-designate their sex on their birth certificate. This includes male, female, and X options.
WAC 392-190-005 - Elimination of Unlawful Discrimination in Public Schools
- Rule concerning public school nondiscrimination protections, including those based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Also see OSPI Civil Rights Guidelines on Gender Identity and Expression.
- This rule outlines nondiscrimination protections that health insurances issuers must follow, including prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
WAC 388-112B-0040 - Competencies for dementia portion of geriatric behavioral health worker training
- Establishes that curricula developed and approved for dementia and geriatric behavioral health worker training must involve competencies around LGBTQ+ patients, among other requirements.
Digital guides and tools that support 2SLGBTQIA+ people in navigating their rights in Washington state.
Guide from the Washington State Attorney General's Office: Know Your Rights Gender Affirming Care
- Up to date information and guidance on access to gender-affirming care in Washington state.
- FAQs answered by the Washington state AG's office on the shield law that protects reproductive and gender-affirming care.
Know Your Rights from ACLU Washington
- A full list of ACLU WA Know Your Rights resources.
Know Your Protest & Demonstration Rights - ACLU Washington
- ACLU WA guide around knowing your rights when at a protest or demonstration.
The Rights of Transgender People in Washington State - ACLU Washington
- Updates to this guide made by ACLU WA are being published as more information become available. Learn about your rights in regard to discrimination and harassment, name and gender changes on identity documents, healthcare coverage and rights in jails and prisons.
Know Your Rights: A Guide for Public School Students in Washington - ACLU Washington
- ACLU WA guide that provides information around students' rights in Washington.
What You Should Know About Reproductive Freedom in Washington State - ACLU Washington
- Downloadable pamphlet from ACLU WA on your right to reproductive freedom in Washington state.
Trans Rights in Washington State: Navigating a Changing Landscape in 2025 - Legal Voice
- Information regarding transgender rights in Washington state and the current legal landscape, from Legal Voice.
Know Your Rights: Best Practices for Safe Protesting
- Guide created by Lambda Legal, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, A4TE, GLAD, NCLR, the National Lawyers Guide, Transgender Law Center, and the National Trans Bar Association around safe protesting.
A4TE: Trans Legal Survival Guide
- Guide from Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) on legal issues facing transgender people/
HRC - Washington State Scorecard
- See how Washington State scored on HRC's scorecard for equality.
Articles, FAQ sheets and more around 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in Washington state.
- Groundbreaking survey highlights LGBTQ+ attitudes and concerns across Washington - WSU Insider
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What to know about WA’s law requiring LGBTQ+ history in public schools - The Seattle Times
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WA leaders raise LGBTQ+ Pride flag at capitol, call for action - Fox 13 Seattle
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Washington Supreme Court justice shows ‘representation does matter’ - ABA Journal
Podcasts about 2SLBTQIA+ inclusion in Washington state.
OIC Answers: Gender-affirming care coverage with the state LGBTQ Commission
- Check out this pride month special episode of OIC Answers, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner's podcast, where Commissioner Darlin Lozano and Commission Operations and Policy Manager Sam Fennell sit down with Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to talk about Washington state's commitment to protecting insurance coverage gender-affirming care.
Videos, movies, and documentaries around 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in Washington state.
Please note that some might not be free resources and might require a subscription service to view.
WDVA LGBTQ+ Veterans Outreach Coordinator - YouTube
- Learn about the WDVA's LGBTQ+ Coordinator, Robin Lang!
WSU gives insight on LGBTQ+ communities across WA | FOX 13 Seattle
- Interview with Traci Gillig, lead researcher of the state LGBTQ+ survey.
Washington Public Schools required to teach LGBTQ history by 2025
- Video from KGW News on Washington's new LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum law.
National advocacy organizations focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive laws and policies.
- One of the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in the country, HRC works towards LGBTQ equality through advocacy and education.
- National organization focused on advocating for pro-LGBTQ+ policies.
- Organization that works to bring together state-level LGBTQ organizations for support and networking opportunities.
- National LGBTQ+ legal organization working for full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those living with HIV.
- LGBTQ+ legal group that works nationally for LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV. They advocate and litigate on behalf of LGBTQ+ people.
National Center for LGBTQ Rights
- National legal organization for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
- National and trans-led legal organization working for transgender and gender-nonconforming rights.
- Organization focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion in education and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Crisis and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ older adults.
- LGBTQ+ advocacy group focusing on achieving inclusive workplaces and employment.
- LGBTQ+ advocacy group focused on LGBTQ+ narratives and attitudes in media
Local organizations focused on advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive laws and policies.
- Civil and human rights organization based in Seattle advocating for the needs of LGBTQ people. GJL also hosts Trans Pride Seattle and provides direct support to TwoSpirit, Trans, and Gender Diverse community members.
- QLaw Foundation of Washington promotes LGBTQ+ rights through the legal system and provides legal counsel to members of the community in need. Note: Due to overwhelming demand, QLaw is at capacity and has paused their legal request form.
- The Lavender Rights Project advocates for the Black intersex and gender diverse community by hosting events and providing resources such as a WA Legislative Bill Tracker and a Black Trans Legal Professionals Network.
- Statewide LGBTQ advocacy and community outreach organization.
- Largest LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce in the country, GSBA works to advocate for LGBTQ+ owned businesses in Washington state.
- Washington state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
State agency website pages around 2SLGBTQIA+ protection and inclusion.
Washington State Human Rights Commission
- The WSHRC is responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination. If you believe you have been discriminated against based on a protected class, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity, and HIV status, please file a complaint with the WSHRC.
Washington State Attorney General's Office Wing Luke Civil Rights Division
- Working closely with the state Human Rights Commission, the AGO's Wing Luke Civil Rights Division addresses cases concerning discrimination.
Washington State Health Care Authority Transhealth Program
- Apple Health covers gender-affirming health care services.
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Gender-Inclusive Schools
- Information on OPSI's efforts to ensure that all Washington public schools remain a safe place for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and staff.
Office of Minority and Women' Business Enterprises - LGBTQ Business Enterprise Certification
- In partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, OMWBE has started offering certification for LGBTQ+ owned businesses in Washington state.
Department of Veterans Affairs - LGBTQ+ Veterans
- Learn about LGBTQ+ inclusion for veterans in Washington state, including assisting with the upgrade of discharge status, including if you were given an other-than-honorable discharge under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and more.
Under RCW 43.114.050, the duties of the LGBTQ Commission include providing a clearinghouse for information regarding both state and federal legislation as it relates to our purpose and providing resource and referral information to agencies and the public. While the LGBTQ Commission does not provide direct services, we work to connect constituents with affirming supports across the state through our collaboration with state agencies and community organizations. If you can't find what you are looking for here, reach out to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov or use our contact form and a Commission staff member will get back to you.