We stand with survivors and will fight to find solutions that protect Washingtonians from fraudulent, harmful practices. 🫂

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Washington state leaders, in partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, have already been working to identify potential responses to this ruling. Washington remains committed to being a national leader in 2SLGBTQIA+ equality and wellbeing🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 (cont.)

⚖️Survivors still have a range of legal options to fight back, including consumer fraud claims, medical malpractice, and intentional infliction of emotional distress⚖️ (cont.)

We know this ruling is deeply concerning for 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians. Here are some things to know:

❌This case was NOT about whether these practices are safe or legal❌ The medical consensus is clear: Conversion therapy is harmful, unethical and it puts young people at risk⚠️ (cont.)

This past Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued its decision in a case about how conversion therapy can be regulated. The Court ruled these harmful and debunked practices can be "protected speech" under the first amendment and sent the case back down to the lower court to be revisited. (cont.)

WHEREAS, Washington state recognizes that one of its greatest strengths is the diversity of its people and has a long-standing tradition of upholding the dignity of the individual; and   WHEREAS, Washington state supports equal treatment for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression and believes in the values of equity and belonging for all people; and   WHEREAS, members of the transgender community contribute to the growing diversity and prosperity of our state; and   WHEREAS, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals deserve to have joyful and inspiring news shared about their community; and   WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Visibility was created in 2010 in response to the majority of media attention surrounding transgender individuals being about the violence they face; and   WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Visibility aims to uplift and celebrate the lives and accomplishments of the transgender community; and   WHEREAS, Washingtonians are encouraged to observe this day and uplift their transgender community members, focusing on their strength, resilience and accomplishments through the adversity they face;   NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Ferguson, governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2026, as   Transgender Day of Visibility   in Washington, and I urge all people in our state to join me in this special observance.   Signed this 25th day of March, 2026       Governor Bob Ferguson

On Transgender Day of Visibility today, we uplift and celebrate transgender Washingtonians.

I admire their resilience in the face of adversity. In Washington, we'll always stand up for the rights of transgender individuals. That won’t change as long as I am Governor.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Ferguson, governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2026 as Transgender Day of Visibility in Washington, and I urge all people in our state to join me in this special observance.

Signed this 25th day of March, 2026

Governor Bob Ferguson

WHEREAS, Washingtonians are encouraged to observe this day and uplift their transgender community members, focusing on their strength, resilience and accomplishments through the adversity they face; (cont.)

WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Visibility aims to uplift and celebrate the lives and accomplishments of the transgender community; and (cont.)

WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Visibility was created in 2010 in response to the majority of media attention surrounding transgender individuals being about the violence they face; and (cont.)

WHEREAS, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals deserve to have joyful and inspiring news shared about their community; and (cont.)

WHEREAS, members of the transgender community contribute to the growing diversity and prosperity of our state; and (cont.)

WHEREAS, Washington state supports equal treatment for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression and believes in the values of equity and belonging for all people; and (cont.)

WHEREAS, Washington state recognizes that one of its greatest strengths is the diversity of its people and has a long-standing tradition of upholding the dignity of the individual; and (cont.)

This marks the second year that Washington state has recognized Transgender Day of Visibility ⚧️ To download a PDF copy of this year's proclamation, head to the link in our bio.🔗

🏳️‍⚧️Proclamation text:🏳️‍⚧️ (cont.)

🏳️‍⚧️The Washington State LGBTQ Commission is proud to share this year's Transgender Day of Visibility Proclamation signed by @govferguson 🏳️‍⚧️Now more than ever, it is critically important for the state to uplift and support our transgender and gender nonconforming community.🫂 (cont.)

🌈Thank you to the GSBA, Washington State's LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce, for providing the space to hold this meeting! 🌈 400 E Pine St, Ste 322, Seattle, WA🏙️ We will also have a hybrid attendance option via Zoom - direct link on our website!💻

Public comment begins at 11:30AM on Saturday, but the public is always welcome to observe any portion of the meeting. A full agenda is available at lgbtq.wa.gov.🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 See you soon!

We hope you are able to find some time join us to hear more about the Commission's work, and we highly encourage 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals around the state to tune in and share public comment with us, in-person or virtually. (cont.)

📅On Friday, March 27th from 12:00PM to 5:00PM and Saturday, March 28th from 9:00AM-12:00PM, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission will convene in Seattle and online for their second public meeting of 2026. 🌈

the Department of Commerce on the state's housing response. 🏘️🏢🏡We appreciate these guests taking their time to come present to our agency and the public.🌈

‼️REMINDER! Today starting at 12pm! 🕛Join us in Seattle or online for the first day of our public meeting. 🤝Today, our commissioners will be hearing from the Lieutenant Governor about the work his office has done around housing, as well as from the Governor's Policy Office and... (cont.)

💻This event will also be available to attend via Zoom. Please use the LINK IN BIO to register for the event & receive the Zoom link!🔗

🗣️Please share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested!

📅Date: Wednesday, March 25th
🕕Time: 6pm
📍Location: Estelita's Library. Beacon Hill Location - 2901 17th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98144. Directly across from the Beacon Hill branch of the Seattle Public Library and a few blocks from the Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station. 🚉

🫂Thank you to Estelita's Library for providing a space and hosting this event, and 🌈Thank you🌈 to Lavender Rights Project, Entre Hermanos, Gender Justice League, and UTOPIA Washington for participating in this panel discussion! 🏘️

Come learn about accessible housing initiatives and the ways in which state, county, and community leaders are working towards housing solutions for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Registration is required; register today at the link our bio! 🔗

📢REMINDER! TODAY AT 6PM! 📢In anticipation of our March public meeting this week, the Washington State LGBTQ Commission and Estelita's Library are hosting a 2SLGBTQIA+ Housing Panel on March 25th! 🏡🏢🏘️

2/3: “This is a resounding win for the rights of youth, their families, and the rule of law when it comes to medical care,” AG Nick Brown said. “The court agrees that the administration ignored the law in its rush to deprive transgender youth of the health care they are legally entitled to.”

Thank you to AG Nick Brown and his team for their tireless work protecting transgender Washingtonians. Read more about this win here: www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-re...

Last year, we announced the Department of Health is processing all requests to change gender designation on birth certificates within 3 business days, down from as much as a 10 month wait.

This week, I signed a bill ensuring Washingtonians can change the sex designation on their state IDs...