Advocacy and Civic Engagement
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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Your voice deserves to be heard, respected, and represented in local, state, and federal government.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is one of the most active communities when it comes to advocacy and civic engagement. Knowing where to start and how to become involved can be daunting, and being interested in the wellbeing of your community is one of the first steps.
Below are several resources that detail various areas in how to advocate and engage with the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it's through voting, volunteering, fundraising, or contacting your representatives, civic engagement can be beneficial to both you and those you advocate for.
One of the best ways to start advocating is to start on a city and state level. Change often begins on the local level. Look up your local city councilmembers or use this link to look up your state representatives.
Helpful links to state and local resources to help get you connected to government.
Register to Vote in Washington - Washington Secretary of State
- Use this link to register to vote online or update your voter registration. Learn more about voter eligibility, residency requirements, and more.
- Use this page to send your legislator an email or call 800-562-6000 to leave a message for your Senator and Representatives. View all Washington State Legislators here.
Contact your Members of Congress
- Use this website to find your congressional district and contact your members of Congress.
How does a bill become a law? - Washington state
- Go through the process of a bill making its way through the legislature. Learn about how you can take steps to play a role in the bill's journey.
Apply to a state board or commission
- Interested in serving Washington state on a state board or commission? Use the link above to fill out an application. See current and upcoming appointment opportunities here.
- Located in beautiful Olympia, Washington, Washington's Capitol Campus offers tours on a regular basis.
Recent statements from agencies and community organizations supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and civic education
- Read Superintendent Reykdal's comments on a U.S. Department of Education investigation into OSPI's enforcement of nondiscrimination law and protections for transgender and gender-expansive youth.
Digital guides and tools that help you learn the basics of advocating for causes you believe in.
WA State LGBTQ Commission Legislative Toolkit
- Updated yearly, this guide from the Commission shares ways for you to get involved in the Washington state legislative session.
Human Rights Campaign Equality Impact Hub
- Learn about current issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and how our community is showing up.
The Trevor Project Resource Center
- The Trevor Project resource center holds key information around LGBTQ+ youth, suicide prevention, and more.
Advocacy Tools for LGBT Older Adults Resources
- SAGE's National Resource Center on LGBTQ Aging shares advocacy tools for LGBT Older Adults.
Studies, Reports, and Data around 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and civic engagement.
Civic Engagement and Mental Health Among LGBTQ Young People - The Trevor Project
- This report from the Trevor Project specifically looks at civic engagement among LGBTQ young people.
Report Finds: Community Centers Are Essential for LGBTQ Civic Engagement
- This article from the Movement Advancement Project shows how LGBTQ Community Centers help promote civic engagement.
- Study from the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, showing the role GSAs play in youth civic engagement.
Articles, FAQ sheets and more around 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and civic engagement
What you can do to advance LGBTQ rights
- Resource from Everday Activism Network around steps you can take to advocate for your community.
5 Ways to Support Your LGBTQ Students
- Article for educators and school staff around how to best support LGBTQ students right now.
Advocating for the LGBTQ Community - American Medical Association
- The American Medical Association shares information on LGBTQ health topics, like gender-affirming care.
Podcasts around getting civically involved or hosted by Washington state agencies.
- Featuring Inside Olympia, The Impact, Legislative Review and Washington to Washington.
- This podcast from the Administrative Office of the Courts covers work happening in the Washington State Courts system.
- Get your questions about insurance answered with the Insurance Commissioner's podcast, OIC Answers.
- Washington State Office of Equity podcast talking with state leaders about how they are making change in Washington.
The PERColator Podcast - PERC (Public Employment Relations Commission)
- The WA State Public Employment Relations Commission talks collective bargaining and labor-management relationships.
Videos, movies, and documentaries around advocacy and civic engagement or made by state agencies.
Please note that some might not be free resources and might require a subscription service to view.
- Washington state's very own C-SPAN, TVW lets you watch state government happen live, produces shows and documentaries around Washington state, and helps keep Washingtonians civically informed.
Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction YouTube Channel
- Learn about Washington state public schools and about OSPI programs and initiatives.
Washington State Office of Equity YouTube Channel
- The Office of Equity works to make a Washington for All. Learn more about their mission and work through videos on their channel.
National organizations focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and civic engagement.
- One of the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in the country, HRC works towards LGBTQ equality through advocacy and education.
- LPAC is an organization that focuses on increasing civic engagement and activity for/with LGBTQ+ women and non-binary individuals by registering voters, advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ election candidates, and researching what might limit LGBTQ+ from civic engagement.
- National organization focused on advocating for pro-LGBTQ+ policies.
Organizations across Washington state focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and civic engagement.
- List of organizations compiled by the state legislature that aim to improve civic education.
- 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.
- UTOPIA advocates for the Queer and Trans Pacific Islander population in Washington state.
- 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.
Resources across Washington state agencies to help you get engaged with state government.
Commission on African American Affairs (CAAA)
- CAAA serves as the official state representative of the African American community and advises the Governor and Legislature regarding policy development and implementation. CAAA also works to establish relationships with local governments and private sector organizations that promote equal opportunity for African Americans.
Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA)
- CAPAA seeks to improve the lives of Asian Pacific Americans in Washington state by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, and other areas. CAPAA works in partnership with community and state leaders to respond to concerns and bring about positive change and long-term solutions.
Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA)
- CHA began as a grassroots movement to improve conditions for Latinos in Washington. The mission of CHA is to aid in the development of public policy and the delivery of government services to the Hispanic community by identifying needs and defining issues, advising on policies, and establishing community and cross-sector relationships.
Governor's Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA)
- GOIA promotes the government-to-government relationship between the State of Washington and Indian Tribes, advocates for the social and economic betterment of all American Indians and Alaska Natives living within Washington State and educates for a greater cultural understanding of the State’s first citizens.
Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GDCE)
- GDCE provides state level advocacy and leadership with the disability community to obtain equity in economic opportunity and community inclusion. GCDE promotes equality, opportunity, independence, and full participation in life for people with disabilities and envisions an equitable Washington where people with disabilities experience full inclusion, full participation and economic vibrancy.
Washington State Department of Veteran's Affairs (WDVA)
- WDVA helps connect veterans and their family members to the benefits and services they earned through their military service. The mission of WDVA is to serve those who serve and to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families.
- The Office of Equity is working to create a Washington State where everyone has full access to the opportunities, power, and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential, for the next seven generations and beyond.
- Initiative led by the Washington state Lieutenant Governor, the Project for Civic Health aims to address the state of civic health. The Project for Civic Health’s Common Ground for the Common Good report focuses on the increasing polarization and incivility in today’s society and ways to address the harm caused by this lack of common ground.
Page Program Washington State Legislature
- Washington state's page program for high schoolers is one of the best in the country.
Legislative Internship Program
- In 2025, the Washington State Legislative Internship program celebrates its 70th year welcoming college juniors and seniors to work full-time in Olympia for the legislative session.
- This civic education program is open to teachers and paraeducators across Washington to help bring civic engagement into their classrooms.
- Learn about our state symbols and how they are adopted.
- The legislature can be a confusing place. Learn what's what in the legislative terms glossary.
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.