Background
The Washington State LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, RAIN (Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network), established via Governor’s Directive 16-11, is focused on advising and developing strategies for creating safe, diverse, and inclusive workplaces for our LGBTQ+ employees, allies, and customers.
Mission
RAIN exists to help Washington State create safe and inclusive workplaces where every LGBTQ+ employee can bring their full authentic self to work, enabling them to do their best work every day for the people of Washington.
Purpose
Advise and develop strategies for creating safe, diverse, and inclusive workplaces for our LGBTQ+ employees and customers.
Identify best practices for employers and employees within state public service agencies and institutions.
Work with the Governor’s Policy Office and Office of Financial Management to develop and maintain a statewide Safe Place program for public-facing state offices so customers potentially facing harassment can connect with emergency and related services.
Goals for 2024
- Promote awareness of RAIN through building strong relationships
within internal and external entities. - Grow membership with a focus from diverse populations.
- Continue the development of the structure of RAIN.
- Identify and develop a best practices process for the
collection and dissemination of those practices to
employees and employers. - Begin work with the Governor’s Policy Office and OFM
to develop a statewide safe place program. - Create a safe place initiative
Annual Report
Each year, RAIN publishes an annual report, documenting our achievements from the prior year and making goals for the year to come. See our most recent annual reports:
2024-25 Annual Report (TBD)
Charter
Rainbow Alliance & Inclusion Network (RAIN) charter [PDF]
Executive SponsorImage
Laura Watson |
2025 Officers
Co-ChairImage
Mark Metzger |
Co-ChairImage
Miranda Lewis |
Finance & Budget ManagerImage
Michelle Wieburg |
Administrative LiaisonImage
Zoey Hogan |
Administrative LiaisonImage
McKenzie Grenz |
Project ManagerImage
Ariel Kay-Barto |