Seattle LGBT Commission 2012 Work Plan

The role of the Commission is to advise the Mayor, City Council, and City Departments on issues and concerns related to the LGBTQ community. The Commission works to ensure that the City is addressing LGBTQ issues fairly and equitably, makes policy and legislative recommendations, and works to bring the LGBTQ community and the greater Seattle community together through long-range projects, outreach, partnerships, communication, and awareness.

The Commission developed its work plan based on the findings from Snapshot Seattle, a citywide survey and analysis conducted by the Commission in 2010 and 2011 to identify the interests, needs, and concerns of the City's LGBTQ community, and based on community outreach events. A copy of the final Snapshot Seattle report is available on the Commission's website at www.seattle.gov/LGBT.

Government Relations Committee

• Gender Identity & Shelters: Review Department of Health and Human Services contracts for inclusion of gender identity within protected classes and present Snapshot Seattle survey results regarding treatment in shelters.


• SPD Outreach: Partner with the Seattle Police Department to host a community forum and create dialogue about harassment, police training, and hate crimes in collaboration with the Seattle Human Rights Commission.


• Participate in SPD LGBTQ Advisory Council and foster ongoing communication with SPD.


• LGBTQ Community Center: Work with the Mayor's Office, City Council, and the community to bring together leaders and stakeholders to develop a plan for the creation of a LGBTQ Community Center.


• Transgender Economic Empowerment: Coordinate with community organizations and leaders to promote discussion of a transgender economic empowerment initiative.


• Marriage Equality: Support the passage of marriage equality legislation in Washington.


• Work with the Seattle Office of Civil Rights to promote continuous inclusion of LGBTQ training as part of the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative.


• Formalize how the Commission reviews and considers potential legislation.


• Maintain relationships with the Mayor's Office, City Council, and City Departments.


• Align the Commission's goals and work plan with the City's annual budget to ensure meaningful impact on budget issues.

Programs and Outreach Committee

The Programs & Outreach Committee is responsible for the Commission's public presence, including marketing and communications, Commission events, and community outreach.

• Youth Resource Card: Develop a wallet card for youth about LGBTQ resources and programs, and develop partnerships with other organizations to assist in creating, printing, and distributing the youth resource cards.


• Website Directory: Create an up-to-date directory of resources and community organizations to be publicly available on the Commission's website.


• Update and maintain the Commission's web content, and develop procedures and guidelines for the Commission's social media presence.


• Pride Celebration: Participate in the annual pride celebration, including coordinating with the City and community organizations to help organize the City's presence in the celebration.


• Increase the Commission's outreach and visibility, using the youth resource card and website directory of resources to strengthen connections with the community.


• Focus on building relationships with diverse populations, including people of color, seniors, youths, and transgender individuals, as well as related community organizations.

Internal Affairs Committee

The Internal Affairs Committee is responsible for the internal mechanics of the Commission, including recruitment, orientation, and team-building.

• Develop, implement, and maintain a recruitment and orientation plan for new Commissioners.


• Assist with the internal development of commissioners.


• Develop and maintain a secure online document storage system and calendar for internal Commission business.


• Collaborate with the Programs & Outreach Committee to develop procedures and guidelines for social media.


• Collect, review, and store attendance records.


• Review the Commission bylaws.


• Conduct quarterly budget review.

Click here to download a copy of the Commission Work Plan for 2012.

For more information about the Seattle LGBT Commission, please visit the Commission's website at www.seattle.gov/LGBT or contact Marta Idowu via email at Marta.Idowu@seattle.gov or by mail at:

Marta Idowu
Seattle Office for Civil Rights 810 Third Avenue, Suite 750 Seattle, WA 98104-1627

Information is available in alternative formats on request by calling (206) 684-4540.