I have written a letter to Mayor Jenny Durkan, explaining why I have not advanced her nomination of a permanent director of the Human Services Department, and calling on her to involve city workers, the community, and human service providers in an open, transparent, and inclusive candidate search. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ February 7, 2019 Dear Mayor Durkan, […]

On March 8, 2017, over a thousand people braved wet and cold weather to rally on International Women’s Day in Seattle. The energy at the rally demonstrated the emergence of a new women’s movement in America. Amidst renewed attacks by Trump and the Republicans on abortion rights, trans rights, and health care, millennial women and […]

On February 22, 2017, Trump issued another toxic executive order, this one rescinding Title IX protections for trans students. Grassroots movements have succeeded in winning better protections in Washington state than in other states. The Gender Justice League has noted that “Washington State Schools must obey the Washington Law Against Discrimination and the HCA Guidance […]

Mass protests during inauguration week are extremely important. We need to send a clear message to Trump that he has no mandate for his bigoted and anti-worker agenda. Join Seattle’s Anti-Trump Resistance! Look below for details on local actions, and check back for updates (as details are subject to change). For an expanded listing of events throughout Washington […]

On June 20, 2016, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a proclamation declaring June 24, 2016, Trans Pride Day. Trans Pride is a bold political act of defiance in a society that still largely refuses to allow people to define themselves as they are. The fight for trans rights is critical to the broader struggles of […]

This morning, we were all devastated to learn of the horrific terrorist attack on the LGBTQ community at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Our hearts go out to all grieving, most especially to the victims and their families. This mass murder did not happen in a political and social vacuum. Indeed, we did not […]

In recent weeks, an international group of misogynists (yes, seriously) that call themselves “Return of Kings” online began coordinating meetups around the world for this upcoming weekend. Multiple venues were advertised for Seattle, including the Central Library. It’s an understatement to say that the views that this group hold on women and the LGBTQ community […]

Seattle is well known for its rich history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community organizing, activism and cultural expression – in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, in particular. However, unlike San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, and Chicago, the City of Seattle does not have an official LBGTQ Community Center. In June 2011, […]

  On October 19, 2015, the Seattle City Council passed a resolution in solidarity with the work of Planned Parenthood. This follows last year’s resolution calling on the federal government to repeal all bans on public coverage for abortion, like the Hyde Amendment. More about that resolution can be read here.  With lies, violence, and intimidation, […]

Over the last two years, Seattle has seen a surge in hate crimes and discrimination against the LGBTQ community on Capitol Hill. We’re going to need to unite as a city and find bold and lasting solutions to address this crisis. On March 3rd, 2015, together with Danni Askini from the Gender Justice League, I hosted […]