Gov. Jay Inslee joins Capitol Pride flag-raising, warns of threats to LGBTQ protections

At a flag‑raising hosted by the Washington State LGBTQ Commission at the state Capitol, Gov. Jay Inslee, Justice Mary Yu, Sen. Claire Wilson and commission leaders praised recent progress for LGBTQ people and urged vigilance against attempts to roll back protections.

"We are a pride state, and we're gonna remain a pride state," Gov. Jay Inslee said, framing LGBTQ rights as a freedom issue and calling on attendees to support a statewide survey intended to help the commission understand community needs. Inslee also said — as a claim to the audience — that "some 75 anti LGBTQ plus laws" were passed in other states in 2023.

The governor highlighted state policies he described as supportive of LGBTQ people, including expanded access to health care without unnecessary cost‑sharing for HIV medication, extending veterans' benefits to those discharged under "don't ask, don't tell," and the state's paid family leave program. He also said Washington will implement a curriculum to teach the history of the LGBTQ civil‑rights movement so students learn about the possibilities and challenges of social progress.

Sen. Claire Wilson reflected on personal and political history, saying she grew up without seeing herself reflected in public life and praising the state's development of what she called the "first ever LGBTQ Commission," inclusive K‑12 health education, measures to allow schools to redact certain student information, access to gender‑affirming care, and a new statewide hate‑crimes hotline. "May you be held in community that loves you, just as you are," Wilson said.

Justice Mary Yu, who said she and Justice Helen Whitener sent greetings, told attendees the judicial branch remains committed to treating "every person who comes before our court" with dignity and respect and reiterated the court's role in protecting individual rights under the state constitution.

Commission co‑chairs Chase Rapac and Michelle Kelly Baroga thanked the governor and speakers, framed Pride Month as both a celebration and a reminder of ongoing threats and violence faced by LGBTQ people, and urged solidarity and action after the flag went up. Baroga described Pride as a "call to action" and invited attendees to move to the Capitol lawn for the flag‑raising.

The event also included a reminder from organizers that a marriage‑equality exhibit is on display inside the Office of the Secretary of State and that attendees were encouraged to view it after the ceremony. Organizers closed by inviting participants to the lawn for the official flag‑raising.

The commission did not take formal votes or adopt policy during the event; remarks were ceremonial and exhortatory. Follow‑up items announced to the audience included the statewide survey Inslee urged people to fill out and the public exhibit at the Secretary of State's office.