Purpose of the Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities - (Article I from SCSM Bylaws)

1. Provide information to the Mayor, City Council, and other City departments, offices, commissions and boards concerning issues of importance to lesbians, gays and other sexual minorities;



2. Ensure that City departments address fairly the concerns of lesbians, gays and other sexual minorities individually and as a protected class under City ordinance and other applicable laws;



3. As appropriate, recommend policies to all departments and offices of the City in matters affecting gay, lesbian, and sexual minority concerns, and recommend legislation for the implementation of such policies;



4. Encourage understanding between the lesbian, gay and sexual minority communities and the larger Seattle community through long-range projects.

• In the 70's & 80's Seattle's GLBT community gains political skills and develops a deeper understanding of the common needs of the GLBT community. In 1973 Seattle City Council votes to extend protection in employment to lesbians and gays. A housing ordinance protecting lesbians and gays is approved in 1975 and sexual orientation is added as a protected category.



• The AIDS epidemic strikes the GLBT community. Community organizations form to educate the GLBT community about AIDS.



• In 1985 the City of Seattle creates the Mayor's Lesbian /Gay Task Force. The Task Force will become a place where new leaders gain skills. King County extends fair housing and employment protections for gays and lesbians.



• In 1987 Cal Anderson is appointed State Rep. for Seattle's 43rd district, becoming the first openly gay legislator in Washington State.



• In 1989 the City of Seattle establishes the Commission for Sexual Minorities.



• Our community grows in numbers and politic power. Family issues become the focus.



• In 1991 Seattle voters elect Sherry Harris to Seattle City Council. She is the first openly lesbian to be voted into public office in Seattle.



• In 1991 the Seattle Commission for Lesbians and Gays and the Lesbian Resource Center surveys the GLBT community. The survey represents the first attempt to compile a comprehensive profile of our community and to document the continuing problems people face because of perceptions of their sexual orientation. Violence is a major problem.



• In 1993 the City of Seattle enacts the Domestic Partners Registration Program, recognizing the legal validity of same sex relationships. In 1995 Ed B. Murray is appointed Sate Rep. for Seattle's 43rd district.



• In the late 90's our community begins to address same sex domestic violence, youth and elderly sexual minorities issues, and childcare for same sex couple parents.



• In 1998 the City of Seattle creates and distributes a Bias Crime Wallet Card. The Seattle Police Department receives training to effectively track bias crimes against sexual minorities.



• In 1999 the City of Seattle adds Gender Identity as a protected class, providing protection in housing, employment, public accommodations and contracting to transgender people.



• Public education and outreach programs promote the values of honesty and openness about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender on campus, in the workplace and at home.



• The GLBT community wins the right to file employment discrimination cases in court based in sexual orientation or gender identity.



• The Rainbow Train Project trains health care providers to provide care free of homophobia and heterosexism for elderly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Lobbied for the Equal Benefits Ordinance - Creating a Contracting Requirement
The law requires, whenever possible, that the City contract for public works, consultant services, or purchasing goods and services with businesses that do not discriminate in the provision of benefits between employees with spouses and employees with domestic partners.

Created a New Protected Class, Gender Identity
Seattle amended the non-discrimination ordinance to create a new protected class, gender identity. This change was made to make the language more accurate, more inclusive and more easily administered. Seattle's discrimination ordinances provide protection in housing, employment, public accommodations and contracting.

Added a Private Right of Action to City's Employment Discrimination Ordinance
This new provision allows a GLBT person to file an employment discrimination case in court based on sexual orientation or gender identity. State non-discrimination laws do not cover sexual minorities.

Led the effort for successful passage of the City's Domestic Partner Registration

Obtained $60,000 a year in 2001 and 2002 for The Rainbow Train Project
Rainbow Train provides professional sensitivity training to health and social service providers of all levels about the needs of elderly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) patients.

Obtained $25,000 a year in 2001 and 2002 for Sappho Health Services
Sappho provides sensitive and appropriate health care to the city's sexual minority women's community.

Other Funding Obtained

• $170,000 for support of Hepatitis A/B Education and Outreach Campaign (1999/2000)
• $10,000 for support for programs and projects related to same-sex domestic violence including:

Transgendered Domestic Violence Workshop (10/00)

Same-Sex Domestic Violence Poster Education and Outreach Campaign (2000)

Same-Sex Domestic Violence Symposium (10/98)

• $50,000 for sexual minority health care items (99/00)
• $20,000 for a lesbian health education and resource project
• $22,000 for Seattle Public School support of sexual minority youth and education of youth, teachers, and parents.

Worked with The Seattle Police Department

• Facilitated acquisition of software by Seattle Police Department to track bias crimes committed against sexual minorities.



• Collaborated with a community group to develop, produce, and distribute a bias crime wallet card (3000 distributed) and poster. Funding for these activities was provided by the Seattle Police Department and a grant from the City's Department of Neighborhoods.



• Coordinated (on-going) Basic Law Enforcement Academy training regarding sexual minority issues for new police officers.



• Collaborated with the Seattle Police Department to develop and implement an on-going diversity training program for new police officers.



• Organized a community roundtable with the Seattle Police Department to prevent bias crimes against sexual minorities.

Community Project:

• Facilitated the AIDS Ad-hoc Committee, encouraging discussion between diverse AIDS activists, providers and organizations.


• Conducted the first major survey of Seattle's sexual minority community, in collaboration with the Office for Women's Rights and the Lesbian Resource Center.


• Conducted (in 1996 and 1997) surveys of sexual minority community members to determine community priorities.