RAIN Newsletter
The RAIN newsletter is published quarterly, see the latest issues below. Find more past issues on our subcommittee page.
News and Events
RAIN Pride Month Virtual Panel and Celebration June 16 at 2:30 p.m.
Join RAIN in celebration Pride Month on June 16 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. RAIN is joined by leaders in state government to discuss LGBTQ+ issues, their personal journies through state government, finding and helping others find belonging in the community while at work, and increasing LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Followed by membership mingle time to celebrate pride from 4 to 4:30. Please email rain@ofm.wa.gov for accomodation requests. This event will not be recorded.
Register via Zoom
Download Pride Month Panel Booklet
May 16, 2022
May General Membership Meeting Guest Speaker:
Jaelynn Scott, Executive Director of the Lavender Rights Project
Jaelynn Scott, M.Div., is the Executive Director of Lavender Rights Project. Lavender Rights Project offers holistic, wrap-around care and legal services for LGBTQ persons and especially Black Trans people. Jaelynn provides leadership in the community and with nonprofit organizations as they work to center Black life and especially Black trans life in their mission and organizational structure. She has helped religious organizations and nonprofits radically reimagine policies and procedures as well as expand and refocus their work towards racial and gender equity.
Jaelynn is an ordained minister and regularly preaches and facilitates workshops. She has experience in Human Resources and Operations. Jaelynn is passionate about trans liberation, sacred practices for self-care, decolonized labor practices, and mindfulness in the workplace.
RAIN Spring 2022 Newsletter
The RAIN Spring Newsletter is now available. Featuring Pride 2022 Events, Letting Our Pride Flags Fly, Sober Curious?, A Conversation with DES Director, Tara Smith, and RAIN Member Spotlight: Jasper Marino.
Continued Articles...
A Conversation with DES Director, Tara Smith
RAIN Member Spotlight: Jasper Marino
March 3, 2022
RAIN hosts Transgender Day of Visibility Panel for State Employees
Mar. 31, 2022 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Please join RAIN in celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). TDOV is an annual event to celebrate and raise visibility and awareness around transgender folks. This year we are hosting a panel of transgender state employees who will share their stories and experiences.
Feb. 1, 2022
RAIN hosts Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, Feb. 17, 2022 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The RAIN employee business resource group will be hosting a special guest speaker to celebrate Black History Month. Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter is the Scott Waugh endowed chair in the Division of the Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at UCLA, coined the term #BlackLivesMatter, and author of four books. His research, activism and commentary have been featured in various journals, social media platforms, and news media. Join us in having a conversation with Dr. Hunter as he discusses the quest for systemic racial equality in America.
Jan. 25, 2022
The RAIN Best Practices subcommittee has completed an FAQ for Adding Pronouns to Your Signature Line. State employees have worked to create more inclusive workplaces for each other and the general public. Using pronouns in email signatures sends a message that state agencies are inclusive of everyone in Washington state and acknowledges gender diversity. As this practice becomes more commonplace, many people have raised questions about its use. The Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN), developed an FAQ document to attach to pronouns in your signature line for reference. Please feel free to share this resource with your agency and workgroups.
Example:
Your Name
Pronouns: they/them
Agency
Contact Info
Oct. 22, 2021
Outstanding Agency Awards: Congratulations to this year's RAIN Outstanding Agency Award winners!
- The Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- The Department of Social and Health Services - Developmental Disabilities Administration - Rainier School
- The Employment Security Department
Every year, Washington state employees nominate agencies that have led the way in work to help create a safe and inclusive environment for LGTBQ+ employees. Nominations highlight specific changes in policies, practices, and culture that each agency has done to promote LGTBQ+ awareness and inclusivity. These awards are so special because the nominations come from employees within the agency that appreciate and recognize the work being done agency wide. We celebrate and thank all the nominated agencies for the work they are doing!
The 2021 Agency Awards Ceremony was on Oct. 21, 2021 during our October general membership meeting.