Stories

Experts Release New Report Highlighting Lack of Population-Based Data about Transgender People and Other Gender Minorities

A new report released last week by the Gender Identity in U.S. Surveillance (GenIUSS) group highlights the lack of survey measures to identify transgender and other gender minority respondents in most federally-supported population-based surveys. This groundbreaking report, entitled Best Practices for Asking Questions to Identify Transgender and Other Gender Minority Respondents on Population-Based Surveys, examines

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Working Behind the Scenes Towards Justice in Alaska

Tom Rachal exudes a quiet confidence. He often shies away from the spotlight, preferring that his work happens more organically “behind the scenes.” He is the one who’s always listening intently to people, taking stock of who’s in the room and why, and finding ways to bring people together. The impact Tom has had on

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Making Room for Others

Author: Zachary Pullin

As summer slowly fades into fall and students across the region gear up for another school year, we wanted to introduce two people who are working to increase options and possibilities for LGBTQ and straight ally students across the region. Joann Thompson and Julie Wittrock both attended graduate school at Central Washington University (CWU), and pursued

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Real Talk about Ferguson in Portland: Ideas for Allies

Author: Katie Carter

Like so many people, I have been glued to my computer following the events of Michael Brown’s death and the actions unfolding in Ferguson, Missouri through social media and other news sources. Horrified and outraged by the blatant injustices that were occurring, I felt helpless sitting at my desk thousands of miles away in Portland,

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Billings City Council Votes Down NDO, Efforts Continue for Equality

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After weeks of attending Billings City Council meetings in support of efforts to pass a non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) in the city—including an all-night meeting to keep the NDO from being tabled and three work sessions to draft the language for the ordinance—it was finally the day of the first reading. This was the big day,

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The Most Impactful Moments

My travels to rural communities throughout Washington State allow me to see the tremendous progress being made in these areas, the challenges still being faced, and the passionate people behind it all who are striving to create a safe and accepting environment that allows people to be who they are, where they are. On a

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A Helping Hand

With the afternoon Whidbey Island sun shining on her face, Heni Barnes stood up in the bright living room and shared a story about her mother threatening to disown her after finding out she was gay, and the period of housing instability that followed. We watched. We listened. We empathized, but didn’t know how to

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Take Action Now: Support Charitable Giving

Nonprofits throughout the country are struggling to keep up with the growing demand in services. For over a decade, the philanthropic community has been working to identify a solution to address this problem—with the goal of creating stronger and healthier communities. The result of these efforts is the America Gives More Act (H.R. 4719), a

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Scholar Strives to Create Change Through Medicine & Education

Author: Kira Deshler

Jose Madrid loves to help people. An active participant in the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at his high school in Aloha, Oregon, Jose was always looking to “improve the environment for queer students,” so that he could leave a legacy of openness and respect for future LGBTQ youth. This desire to help others has been

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