1 00:00:09,259 --> 00:00:12,080 Good morning everybody and welcome. 2 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:14,480 Thank you all for being here. 3 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:17,658 You're going to hear from a long list of amazing 4 00:00:17,658 --> 00:00:21,079 city and community leaders and community members 5 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,745 members today as we raised a pride flag and 6 00:00:23,745 --> 00:00:25,500 declared June Pride Month. 7 00:00:26,719 --> 00:00:31,152 At first glance, events like this may seem symbolic, raising 8 00:00:31,152 --> 00:00:35,472 a flag, reading a proclamation, taking photos on the steps of 9 00:00:35,472 --> 00:00:39,579 City Hall, and at their core, they are symbolic, but symbols 10 00:00:39,579 --> 00:00:41,000 do matter. 11 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,621 They matter because they tell people who belongs, 12 00:00:43,621 --> 00:00:46,118 they tell people whether they are safe, whether 13 00:00:46,118 --> 00:00:48,780 whether they are seen, and whether their city 14 00:00:48,780 --> 00:00:50,179 will stand beside them. 15 00:00:50,179 --> 00:00:53,478 And today, Seattle is making it clear that this is a 16 00:00:53,478 --> 00:00:56,700 city that welcomes and celebrates queer people, 17 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:58,759 then, now, and forever. 18 00:00:58,759 --> 00:01:02,259 And that message matters now more than ever. 19 00:01:02,259 --> 00:01:05,828 Across the country, we are watching a growing wave of 20 00:01:05,828 --> 00:01:09,688 attacks against LGBTQ people, especially against trans and 21 00:01:09,688 --> 00:01:11,578 gender non-conforming people. 22 00:01:11,578 --> 00:01:14,084 We are seeing rights challenged, health care 23 00:01:14,084 --> 00:01:17,468 restricted, books banned, and entire communities 24 00:01:17,468 --> 00:01:19,900 targeted simply for existing. 25 00:01:19,900 --> 00:01:23,358 And alongside that rhetoric has come violence. 26 00:01:23,358 --> 00:01:26,245 At least eight trans people have been murdered in the 27 00:01:26,245 --> 00:01:29,305 United States so far in 2026, and I think we all know 28 00:01:29,305 --> 00:01:32,938 that that number is almost certainly an undercount. 29 00:01:32,938 --> 00:01:36,522 These deaths are happening in communities across 30 00:01:36,522 --> 00:01:40,019 the country, in red states and blue cities alike. 31 00:01:40,019 --> 00:01:43,971 Today, we remember Cheyelle Diamond Sanchez-McRae, 32 00:01:43,971 --> 00:01:47,659 Luca Redbeard, Haley Siegleton, Erica Caldwell, 33 00:01:47,659 --> 00:01:51,500 to name a few, and most close to home, Juniper Blessing. 34 00:01:52,718 --> 00:01:56,540 Juniper's murder earlier this month is a painful reminder 35 00:01:56,540 --> 00:02:00,358 that even in cities like Seattle, life as a trans person 36 00:02:00,358 --> 00:02:05,000 still means fighting every day for basic dignity, basic rights, 37 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,858 and sometimes even for your life. 38 00:02:07,858 --> 00:02:09,598 Juniper was more than a headline. 39 00:02:09,598 --> 00:02:13,400 She was a student, a musician, a proud dog mom, 40 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,614 an aspiring scientist, and a 19-year-old woman whose 41 00:02:16,614 --> 00:02:19,900 life was taken away from her before it truly even began. 42 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,401 Before we begin today's ceremony, I'd like to ask 43 00:02:23,401 --> 00:02:26,038 everybody to join me in a moment of silence for Juniper 44 00:02:26,038 --> 00:02:31,717 member and for all of the trans community members we have lost. 45 00:02:55,258 --> 00:02:55,699 Thank you. 46 00:02:57,060 --> 00:03:04,840 Today, we are doing more than proclaiming June Pride Month. 47 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:07,020 We are doing more than raising a flag. 48 00:03:07,020 --> 00:03:09,847 We are telling Seattle, Seattleites, and the 49 00:03:09,847 --> 00:03:12,598 rest of the world that queer people are here, 50 00:03:12,598 --> 00:03:16,604 that we have the right to exist, to love, and to live 51 00:03:16,604 --> 00:03:19,180 openly and safely as ourselves. 52 00:03:19,180 --> 00:03:23,282 And we are saying clearly that violence against one of us is 53 00:03:23,282 --> 00:03:27,300 an attack on all of us and that Seattle has no room for hate. 54 00:03:29,020 --> 00:03:31,960 Next, we're going to hear from Mayor Katie Wilson. 55 00:03:33,157 --> 00:03:33,699 Katie B. 56 00:03:33,699 --> 00:03:35,776 Wilson is the mayor of Seattle, a 57 00:03:35,776 --> 00:03:39,240 longtime transit advocate and community organizer. 58 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:42,603 Wilson co-founded the Transit Riders Union and then led the 59 00:03:42,603 --> 00:03:45,597 organization for over a decade, during which time she 60 00:03:45,597 --> 00:03:48,276 had extraordinary success building coalitions 61 00:03:48,276 --> 00:03:51,441 to win better transit, affordable fares, higher wages, 62 00:03:51,441 --> 00:03:54,937 stronger winter protections, and new progressive revenue. 63 00:03:54,937 --> 00:03:58,149 Wilson approaches the role of mayor from the perspective 64 00:03:58,149 --> 00:04:00,877 of a coalition builder and has assembled a diverse 65 00:04:00,877 --> 00:04:03,674 and experienced team ready to deliver responsible, 66 00:04:03,674 --> 00:04:05,961 effective governance and make progress on 67 00:04:05,961 --> 00:04:07,240 our city's challenges. 68 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:08,419 Mayor Wilson. 69 00:04:22,399 --> 00:04:25,459 OK, good morning, afternoon. 70 00:04:25,459 --> 00:04:26,259 Good afternoon. 71 00:04:30,579 --> 00:04:31,838 Okay, happy pride. 72 00:04:36,660 --> 00:04:38,939 I am so excited to be here. 73 00:04:38,939 --> 00:04:43,021 I am so proud to be the mayor of a city that has such a strong 74 00:04:43,021 --> 00:04:47,096 and long-standing commitment to protecting the rights 75 00:04:47,096 --> 00:04:51,420 and dignity of all people, including our LGBTQ+ community. 76 00:04:51,420 --> 00:04:54,254 We have in Seattle strong civil rights laws that 77 00:04:54,254 --> 00:04:57,338 protect everyone from discrimination and harassment 78 00:04:57,338 --> 00:05:00,240 based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, 79 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:02,225 and many other protected classes. 80 00:05:02,225 --> 00:05:05,100 People seeking reproductive or gender affirming 81 00:05:05,100 --> 00:05:08,437 care here are protected from arrest or prosecution 82 00:05:08,437 --> 00:05:10,887 and I'm proud of our all-gender restroom law 83 00:05:10,887 --> 00:05:13,420 which makes single occupant restrooms available to 84 00:05:13,420 --> 00:05:17,480 to everyone regardless of their sex or gender identity. 85 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,300 I also know that this is a very challenging time 86 00:05:20,300 --> 00:05:21,959 for the community. 87 00:05:21,959 --> 00:05:23,439 The American Civil Liberties Union 88 00:05:23,439 --> 00:05:26,980 is currently tracking more than 500 bills across the country 89 00:05:26,980 --> 00:05:31,040 that impose barriers to LGBTQ+ educational curriculum, 90 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:33,838 school sports, public restroom access, 91 00:05:33,838 --> 00:05:37,920 gender-affirming health care, access to IDs, and more. 92 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:42,331 Our city is seen by many as a welcoming place, but we must do 93 00:05:42,331 --> 00:05:44,720 more to make that welcome real. 94 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,439 We cannot be bystanders in this moment. 95 00:05:47,439 --> 00:05:51,064 So I want to say to our LGBTQ+ community, our neighbors, 96 00:05:51,064 --> 00:05:55,081 our friends, and our family members here, you belong 97 00:05:55,081 --> 00:05:58,540 here and you are not alone in this fight. 98 00:05:58,540 --> 00:06:01,285 We will continue to stand unwavering in our 99 00:06:01,285 --> 00:06:04,259 embrace of diversity, love for our neighbors, 100 00:06:04,259 --> 00:06:06,379 and commitment to justice. 101 00:06:06,379 --> 00:06:08,961 We will listen to community and we 102 00:06:08,961 --> 00:06:13,136 will rise to meet the challenge and provide more affordable 103 00:06:13,136 --> 00:06:16,021 housing, more safe spaces for people arriving 104 00:06:16,021 --> 00:06:18,637 here from around our country, and more 105 00:06:18,637 --> 00:06:22,528 opportunities to find work and to build community. 106 00:06:22,528 --> 00:06:24,699 We can work together to build 107 00:06:24,699 --> 00:06:28,519 Build a city that is inclusive, welcoming, and resilient. 108 00:06:28,519 --> 00:06:30,742 Especially now, when our national climate 109 00:06:30,742 --> 00:06:32,838 is so frightening, we must live up to that 110 00:06:32,838 --> 00:06:36,399 promise and show that Seattle is a place of safety, 111 00:06:36,399 --> 00:06:38,180 dignity, and inclusion. 112 00:06:38,180 --> 00:06:39,680 This is your city. 113 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:42,160 There is a place for you here in Seattle. 114 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,720 And I hope that you will consider my office a 115 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:46,000 partner in this work. 116 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:46,399 Thank you. 117 00:06:54,079 --> 00:06:58,771 And now I'm delighted to introduce my colleague on City 118 00:06:58,771 --> 00:07:02,639 Council, Council President Joy Hollingsworth. 119 00:07:10,639 --> 00:07:12,060 You stand up here, you stand up here. 120 00:07:13,199 --> 00:07:15,639 Council President Hollingsworth represents 121 00:07:15,639 --> 00:07:18,180 Seattle's District 3, that is my district, thank you. 122 00:07:20,759 --> 00:07:23,778 Which includes East Lake, Montlake, Madison Park, 123 00:07:23,778 --> 00:07:27,199 Madison Valley, Capitol Hill, First Hill, Portage Bay, 124 00:07:27,199 --> 00:07:30,439 Leschi, Madrona, and the Central District. 125 00:07:30,439 --> 00:07:33,300 As a small business owner, nonprofit leader, 126 00:07:33,300 --> 00:07:36,480 and community connector, Joy prides herself on outcomes 127 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:39,778 by focusing on the fundamentals and bold basics 128 00:07:39,778 --> 00:07:42,778 for our neighborhoods while serving in her legislative role. 129 00:07:42,778 --> 00:07:45,100 So please welcome Council President Hollingsworth. 130 00:07:51,899 --> 00:07:54,160 Thank you, Mayor Wilson. 131 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,240 She's one of my constituents, so hopefully I can earn your vote. 132 00:07:59,319 --> 00:07:59,819 Just playing. 133 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:01,300 Thank you all. 134 00:08:01,300 --> 00:08:05,220 I know we have some other elected officials in here. 135 00:08:05,220 --> 00:08:06,819 Councilmember Foster is here. 136 00:08:06,819 --> 00:08:09,019 I see Councilmember, yes. 137 00:08:09,019 --> 00:08:13,120 our other colleagues, Councilmember Saka, District 1 138 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,939 and then we have Councilmember Kettle here as well 139 00:08:16,939 --> 00:08:18,723 thank you for being here. 140 00:08:18,723 --> 00:08:21,100 My colleagues, did I miss anyone? 141 00:08:21,100 --> 00:08:23,463 Oh, Councilmember Rink, I'm sorry, Councilmember 142 00:08:23,463 --> 00:08:24,180 Rink, citywide 143 00:08:26,420 --> 00:08:29,620 Thank you for that, there's five people 144 00:08:29,620 --> 00:08:31,891 pointing in the back right there, thank you. 145 00:08:31,891 --> 00:08:34,605 So thank you Mayor Wilson I'm really excited to 146 00:08:34,605 --> 00:08:37,375 be with you here today and then partnering 147 00:08:37,375 --> 00:08:39,855 with you on LGBTQ rights and know that you all 148 00:08:39,855 --> 00:08:41,759 have been just great partners in that work. 149 00:08:41,759 --> 00:08:43,440 So thank you, Mayor Wilson. 150 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:48,057 This is my third Pride Month Raising of the Flag event. 151 00:08:48,057 --> 00:08:52,100 And every year it's more special, every single year. 152 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:56,048 And what I love most about Pride is beneath the music, the 153 00:08:56,048 --> 00:08:59,724 laughter, the fabulous outfits, you killing it over here 154 00:08:59,724 --> 00:09:01,177 with the church hat, okay? 155 00:09:01,177 --> 00:09:02,120 The Women's Day hat. 156 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:03,460 Is that not a Women's Day hat? 157 00:09:03,460 --> 00:09:03,740 Thank you. 158 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:05,440 Come on. 159 00:09:07,220 --> 00:09:09,158 It's about love and freedom. 160 00:09:09,158 --> 00:09:11,298 Those two words come to mind. 161 00:09:11,298 --> 00:09:15,798 Freedom to be yourself, freedom to love who you want to love, 162 00:09:15,798 --> 00:09:18,572 and the freedom to show up exactly who you are, 163 00:09:18,572 --> 00:09:19,960 which is a human being. 164 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:22,245 It's about recognizing the courage of the people 165 00:09:22,245 --> 00:09:25,215 who came before us, like Reverend McCoy, 166 00:09:25,215 --> 00:09:27,057 who's here, right? 167 00:09:31,298 --> 00:09:34,600 Every time I see her, I have to do the Detroit what-up-doe. 168 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,418 What-up-doe. It's a Detroit thing. 169 00:09:37,418 --> 00:09:41,004 And the people came before us, and it's also a reminder 170 00:09:41,004 --> 00:09:44,100 that our differences are not weaknesses. 171 00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:45,677 They are our strength. 172 00:09:45,677 --> 00:09:49,000 When people are able to show up in their authentic selves, 173 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,870 our neighborhoods, workplaces, everything in our community 174 00:09:52,870 --> 00:09:54,360 becomes a lot stronger. 175 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,176 And this is a little personal, but I am so 176 00:09:57,176 --> 00:10:00,759 thankful for my family who accepted me for who I am, 177 00:10:00,759 --> 00:10:02,365 you know, during my journey. 178 00:10:02,365 --> 00:10:05,177 And some of us are still explaining to our families 179 00:10:05,177 --> 00:10:05,725 who we are. 180 00:10:05,725 --> 00:10:07,918 That's why those Thanksgiving dinners and 181 00:10:07,918 --> 00:10:09,259 all this, it lasts so long. 182 00:10:09,259 --> 00:10:12,653 But, you know, but just being mindful that 183 00:10:12,653 --> 00:10:14,500 not everyone has that. 184 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:15,778 Not everyone has that support. 185 00:10:15,778 --> 00:10:19,774 And so that's why it is so great that we can be in these spaces 186 00:10:19,774 --> 00:10:23,605 where we can show community about who we are, that people 187 00:10:23,605 --> 00:10:27,359 are loved, they're accepted, they can feel connected. 188 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:32,600 And that's why every time that we raise the flag during this 189 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:37,839 month, I think it's a symbolism to show that we support you. 190 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:40,899 And most importantly, that you are safe here. 191 00:10:40,899 --> 00:10:42,946 That is really key, that when people come to our 192 00:10:42,946 --> 00:10:44,937 city, they feel safe, that they're safe here. 193 00:10:50,298 --> 00:10:53,918 And so no matter how you identify, no matter what 194 00:10:53,918 --> 00:10:58,168 that looks like, your race, creed, religion, anything, 195 00:10:58,168 --> 00:11:02,418 you are American, you are a patriot, and you are Seattle. 196 00:11:02,418 --> 00:11:06,614 And so those are the things that come to mind for this 197 00:11:06,614 --> 00:11:08,759 particular flag raising. 198 00:11:08,759 --> 00:11:10,940 And so thank you all for being here. 199 00:11:10,940 --> 00:11:12,984 The council supports you, obviously with our 200 00:11:12,984 --> 00:11:14,057 mayor's office as well. 201 00:11:14,057 --> 00:11:15,019 The city supports you. 202 00:11:15,019 --> 00:11:17,038 Our city department supports you. 203 00:11:17,038 --> 00:11:18,320 Seattle supports you. 204 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:22,056 And I have the wonderful opportunity to 205 00:11:22,056 --> 00:11:24,320 introduce Jessa Davis. 206 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:25,740 Jessa is the co-chair. 207 00:11:25,740 --> 00:11:26,918 Yes, Jessa Davis. 208 00:11:35,177 --> 00:11:36,940 I was waiting for a hell yeah. 209 00:11:36,940 --> 00:11:38,519 I heard, whoo, hell yeah. 210 00:11:39,580 --> 00:11:41,220 Go on, go on. 211 00:11:41,220 --> 00:11:41,918 That's what we say. 212 00:11:41,918 --> 00:11:43,139 Go on with your bad self. 213 00:11:43,139 --> 00:11:47,600 Is the co-chair of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission 214 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:49,538 and the chair of the Community Outreach 215 00:11:49,538 --> 00:11:51,080 and Social Media Committee. 216 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:52,759 She also serves as the board chair 217 00:11:52,759 --> 00:11:56,157 for the Queer Power Alliance, where she chairs the advocacy 218 00:11:56,157 --> 00:11:59,878 committee and as board secretary for the whole Washington. 219 00:11:59,878 --> 00:12:03,349 In these roles, she helps align community-driven 220 00:12:03,349 --> 00:12:06,706 advocacy with broader structural change, including, or 221 00:12:06,706 --> 00:12:09,980 efforts, including in her work as the executive director of the 222 00:12:09,980 --> 00:12:13,918 the organization of the polyamory and 223 00:12:13,918 --> 00:12:16,379 ethical non-monogamy. 224 00:12:16,379 --> 00:12:18,019 That was a whole thing right there. 225 00:12:18,019 --> 00:12:19,840 I'm sorry, I messed that up. 226 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:20,720 I apologize. 227 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:23,500 Monogamy, which is a role she recently took on 228 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:26,200 after founding and leading the Seattle Coalition 229 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:28,038 for Family and Relationship Equity. 230 00:12:28,038 --> 00:12:29,700 I've had the honor of work with Jessy 231 00:12:29,700 --> 00:12:33,980 for the past couple years and amazing, amazing person. 232 00:12:33,980 --> 00:12:36,177 We're just so grateful to have her. 233 00:12:36,177 --> 00:12:36,840 - I'll keep it on the name. 234 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:37,460 Thank you so much. 235 00:12:38,940 --> 00:12:39,557 Lovely, lovely. 236 00:12:41,899 --> 00:12:42,860 All right. 237 00:12:42,860 --> 00:12:43,557 Can everyone hear me okay? 238 00:12:44,759 --> 00:12:48,918 I wore these glasses purely for fashion and there's no bifocals. 239 00:12:48,918 --> 00:12:49,960 So here we go. 240 00:12:51,759 --> 00:12:54,244 So again, I'd like to thank the mayor, city council members, 241 00:12:54,244 --> 00:12:56,480 and other special guests for being here with us today. 242 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:00,720 On behalf of the LGBTQ Commission, we're really excited 243 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:04,778 to be here raising the pride flag again over City Hall. 244 00:13:04,778 --> 00:13:07,278 As the council president said, my name is Jessa Davis. 245 00:13:07,278 --> 00:13:09,057 My pronouns are she, her. 246 00:13:09,057 --> 00:13:11,841 And, yeah, I just want to jump into some 247 00:13:11,841 --> 00:13:13,580 comments here, I guess. 248 00:13:13,580 --> 00:13:17,225 You know, every year this moment in particular carries for me a 249 00:13:17,225 --> 00:13:19,259 specific personal significance. 250 00:13:19,259 --> 00:13:21,879 because I come from a place where that flag wouldn't 251 00:13:21,879 --> 00:13:24,514 be flying in front of a City Hall where I come from, 252 00:13:24,514 --> 00:13:27,120 right? I moved here to find a place where I could 253 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:30,720 belong and like so many others here I understand 254 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:34,423 that visibility itself is never a neutral act, right? 255 00:13:34,423 --> 00:13:37,418 And we know that raising this flag isn't trivial 256 00:13:37,418 --> 00:13:39,254 either because in some parts of this country 257 00:13:39,254 --> 00:13:41,720 today what we're doing is is illegal. 258 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,418 Let that sink in for a moment, right? 259 00:13:44,759 --> 00:13:47,139 And I'm going to share something now specific 260 00:13:47,139 --> 00:13:49,677 to my own experience and that's on the minds of many people 261 00:13:49,677 --> 00:13:51,278 in this room and across our community. 262 00:13:51,278 --> 00:13:55,379 But as we're witnessing this unprecedented wave of backlash 263 00:13:55,379 --> 00:13:59,038 across the US targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ people, 264 00:13:59,038 --> 00:14:01,480 hundreds of bills are attacking transgender, gender 265 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:03,360 nonconforming, and two-spirit people. 266 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:05,519 Right now, they've been introduced across the country 267 00:14:05,519 --> 00:14:09,432 to restrict our health care, to limit participation in public 268 00:14:09,432 --> 00:14:13,200 life, to censor education and erase our legal recognition. 269 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:14,990 And they're not going to stop with the trans 270 00:14:14,990 --> 00:14:15,936 community, of course. 271 00:14:15,936 --> 00:14:17,177 They've already told us that. 272 00:14:17,177 --> 00:14:19,778 But despite the claims that those people might make 273 00:14:19,778 --> 00:14:22,379 pushing this agenda, there are deliberate efforts 274 00:14:24,139 --> 00:14:26,648 happening right now to make it harder for people like 275 00:14:26,648 --> 00:14:28,754 me to live safely, openly, and with dignity. 276 00:14:28,754 --> 00:14:30,240 And many of us here in this room. 277 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,403 As a result, people are being forced to leave their homes, 278 00:14:33,403 --> 00:14:36,566 not because they want to, not because it's for the vibes to 279 00:14:36,566 --> 00:14:39,926 come to Seattle and live their best life here, but because the 280 00:14:39,926 --> 00:14:41,639 alternative is too dangerous. 281 00:14:41,639 --> 00:14:44,192 This is a policy-driven displacement that's happening 282 00:14:44,192 --> 00:14:46,586 across the country, and it involves families asking 283 00:14:46,586 --> 00:14:48,759 whether their children can access health care. 284 00:14:48,759 --> 00:14:52,375 It means individuals considering whether they can remain 285 00:14:52,375 --> 00:14:55,548 employed, housed, or even if they can legally exist 286 00:14:55,548 --> 00:14:57,100 in public as themselves. 287 00:14:57,100 --> 00:15:00,019 And in some places, these oppressive policies carry the 288 00:15:00,019 --> 00:15:02,937 threat of prison time, often for the simple act of having 289 00:15:02,937 --> 00:15:04,177 the audacity to be seen. 290 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,710 So many of those individuals are arriving in places 291 00:15:07,710 --> 00:15:09,100 like Seattle seeking safety. 292 00:15:09,100 --> 00:15:11,100 And we probably call ourselves a welcoming city here. 293 00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:14,080 This is a standard that we've set for ourselves. 294 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:17,013 It's a commitment that requires that our policies, our services, 295 00:15:17,013 --> 00:15:19,519 and our communities reflect the values we claim to hold. 296 00:15:19,519 --> 00:15:21,080 And they do quite broadly, right? 297 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:23,870 And I appreciate everyone here in this room who helps 298 00:15:23,870 --> 00:15:26,600 make that happen and who helps uphold this culture. 299 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:29,572 But that means ensuring access to housing, health care, and 300 00:15:29,572 --> 00:15:31,000 further legal protections. 301 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,490 It means resourcing the organizations that are 302 00:15:33,490 --> 00:15:35,860 on the front line today, solving this crisis. 303 00:15:35,860 --> 00:15:38,413 And it means defending and strengthening the protections 304 00:15:38,413 --> 00:15:40,552 that make this city a place where people can truly 305 00:15:40,552 --> 00:15:41,700 live, thrive, and belong. 306 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,840 Pride's always been about celebration and resistance. 307 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:49,331 It's both a joyful acceptance of oneself and a fierce 308 00:15:49,331 --> 00:15:52,715 declaration of belonging, and an assertion that we 309 00:15:52,715 --> 00:15:56,057 will not accept policies rooted in fear or bigotry. 310 00:15:56,057 --> 00:15:57,845 Pride is a declarative statement that we will 311 00:15:57,845 --> 00:16:00,543 continue to build a city where everyone has the ability to 312 00:16:00,543 --> 00:16:03,057 thrive. So today we raise this flag and we do so 313 00:16:03,057 --> 00:16:04,076 with clarity. 314 00:16:04,076 --> 00:16:06,623 We affirm that our values are strong 315 00:16:06,623 --> 00:16:10,091 and we make a commitment to everyone in this city for 316 00:16:10,091 --> 00:16:13,480 safety, for dignity, and for belonging that Seattle 317 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:16,524 will hold firm, not just in what we say but in what 318 00:16:16,524 --> 00:16:19,043 we do for our neighbors now and every day. 319 00:16:19,043 --> 00:16:20,240 So thank you so much. 320 00:16:27,620 --> 00:16:31,657 I nearly walked away without introducing our next lovely 321 00:16:31,657 --> 00:16:34,504 guest to speak, Dani Aschini, as the founder and 322 00:16:34,504 --> 00:16:36,596 executive director of Gender Justice League, the 323 00:16:36,596 --> 00:16:39,740 civil rights organization that she launched in Seattle 324 00:16:39,740 --> 00:16:43,580 in 2012, and Gender Justice League Action, a new 501c4. 325 00:16:43,580 --> 00:16:45,690 With nearly three decades of advocacy across state 326 00:16:45,690 --> 00:16:47,456 and federal government and international 327 00:16:47,456 --> 00:16:49,451 human rights bodies, she leads Trans Pride 328 00:16:49,451 --> 00:16:51,677 Seattle and the field campaign at No Hate in 329 00:16:51,677 --> 00:16:55,471 Washington State campaign opposing two anti-transgender 330 00:16:55,471 --> 00:16:57,580 measures on the 2026 ballot. 331 00:16:57,580 --> 00:16:58,740 Dani, thank you so much. 332 00:17:03,259 --> 00:17:05,557 I'm a little bit shorter than everybody else. 333 00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:09,423 Seattle, in a few minutes, this flag is going to 334 00:17:09,423 --> 00:17:11,663 go up over our city, not as a decoration, 335 00:17:11,663 --> 00:17:12,939 but as a declaration. 336 00:17:13,940 --> 00:17:16,038 A declaration of our shared freedoms 337 00:17:16,038 --> 00:17:18,077 and our commitment to our community 338 00:17:18,077 --> 00:17:20,440 that we've built over so many years together. 339 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:21,980 I see so many friends in this audience. 340 00:17:21,980 --> 00:17:24,000 I'm so honored to be here. 341 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:27,180 13 years ago, I helped found Trans Pride Seattle 342 00:17:27,180 --> 00:17:29,160 with about a dozen other trans people, 343 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,314 some of my best friends, and over those 13 344 00:17:31,314 --> 00:17:33,673 years, we've built it into one of the largest 345 00:17:33,673 --> 00:17:35,337 trans events in the country. 346 00:17:35,337 --> 00:17:37,097 30,000 people came out last year. 347 00:17:37,097 --> 00:17:39,664 I'm sure as many will come out this year on the 348 00:17:39,664 --> 00:17:42,577 27th. I hope we'll see you there in Volunteer Park. 349 00:17:42,577 --> 00:17:45,000 Thanks to the city for helping make it happen. 350 00:17:49,380 --> 00:17:53,200 When I moved to Seattle in 2006, I came here to start 351 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:55,019 a trans health program. 352 00:17:55,019 --> 00:17:56,721 I was just out of grad school. 353 00:17:56,721 --> 00:18:00,336 I'd moved here from Maine, where I transitioned as a teenager 354 00:18:00,336 --> 00:18:02,180 in the 90s while in foster care. 355 00:18:02,180 --> 00:18:04,507 As you all can imagine, we hear these stories of like 356 00:18:04,507 --> 00:18:05,857 young people transitioning. 357 00:18:05,857 --> 00:18:06,680 It's so new. 358 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:07,817 It's a thing that never happened. 359 00:18:07,817 --> 00:18:08,900 And that's just not true. 360 00:18:08,900 --> 00:18:11,278 It's just our stories were not in public. 361 00:18:11,278 --> 00:18:11,920 We're not seen. 362 00:18:13,140 --> 00:18:17,337 This November, unfortunately, Washington voters are going to 363 00:18:17,337 --> 00:18:21,324 be voting on two ballot measures that will decide to strip the 364 00:18:21,324 --> 00:18:24,857 rights of trans young people like I was and like many who 365 00:18:24,857 --> 00:18:27,557 who are in this room, I'm sure, or nearby. 366 00:18:29,140 --> 00:18:31,317 We like to think that we're safe here in Seattle, 367 00:18:31,317 --> 00:18:33,759 and I can tell you that we're not. 368 00:18:33,759 --> 00:18:35,980 The same forces that have been stripping trans people 369 00:18:35,980 --> 00:18:38,660 of protections around this country are well-funded 370 00:18:38,660 --> 00:18:39,920 and they are here. 371 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:43,057 They are organized and they are intent on making sure 372 00:18:43,057 --> 00:18:45,440 that trans people are scapegoated for the 373 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:47,673 1% of this country that is destroying everything 374 00:18:47,673 --> 00:18:48,700 that we love and hold dear. 375 00:18:49,817 --> 00:18:53,692 They have misjudged us before, and I think they've misjudged 376 00:18:53,692 --> 00:18:54,308 us now. 377 00:18:54,308 --> 00:18:58,117 This flag is part of what the city stands for. 378 00:18:58,117 --> 00:19:00,976 It's not just decoration, it's a promise that we make 379 00:19:00,976 --> 00:19:04,198 to each other to keep each other safe, and I think we 380 00:19:04,198 --> 00:19:08,180 all know very recently how incredibly dangerous it is 381 00:19:08,180 --> 00:19:09,146 for trans people. 382 00:19:09,146 --> 00:19:09,730 We felt it. 383 00:19:09,730 --> 00:19:12,380 I was really honored to support the students at UW 384 00:19:12,380 --> 00:19:15,403 dub and I get choked up, and having a memorial 385 00:19:15,403 --> 00:19:16,306 for Juniper. 386 00:19:16,306 --> 00:19:18,759 And that's one of the hardest things 387 00:19:18,759 --> 00:19:21,680 that I do in my work that I've done in the last 388 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:22,326 20 years. 389 00:19:22,326 --> 00:19:24,029 I have lost many friends. 390 00:19:24,029 --> 00:19:26,076 I lost my husband last August. 391 00:19:26,076 --> 00:19:28,625 We're losing lots of trans people not 392 00:19:28,625 --> 00:19:30,679 just to murder but to suicide. 393 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:34,375 Genocide, when we talk about it, is not just about 394 00:19:34,375 --> 00:19:36,896 destroying people in overt ways. 395 00:19:36,900 --> 00:19:41,380 It's about creating lived conditions that are so terrible 396 00:19:41,380 --> 00:19:43,900 that people don't want to stay here. 397 00:19:45,380 --> 00:19:48,200 We raise this flag to defend the people that it stands for. 398 00:19:49,538 --> 00:19:51,951 We are going to work together to defeat these 399 00:19:51,951 --> 00:19:54,500 two ballot measures, and I really look forward 400 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:56,634 to working with you all in talking to our friends and 401 00:19:56,634 --> 00:19:59,557 family about why these ballot ballot measures were not needed. 402 00:19:59,557 --> 00:20:00,920 And I'm just honored to be back here. 403 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:03,759 I moved back, like thousands of other trans people, 404 00:20:03,759 --> 00:20:06,077 last April because I felt really unsafe. 405 00:20:06,077 --> 00:20:09,680 I was living in Virginia, and things were not looking great. 406 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:11,920 And so I'm just grateful to be home with you all 407 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:14,240 and so honored to be here and so honored 408 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:16,660 that the city continues to raise this flag for us. 409 00:20:16,660 --> 00:20:17,038 Thank you. 410 00:20:22,180 --> 00:20:24,636 And next, I would like to bring up my longtime friend 411 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:29,680 and inspiration, Alexa Manila, a former LGBTQ commissioner. 412 00:20:29,680 --> 00:20:30,617 Let's give it up for Alexa. 413 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:39,396 Founder of Pride Asia, huge inspiration 414 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:43,519 and massive fundraiser and first MC at Trans Pride Seattle, 415 00:20:43,519 --> 00:20:47,337 by the way, you were, an amazing all around personality. 416 00:20:47,337 --> 00:20:47,680 Thank you. 417 00:20:49,420 --> 00:20:54,597 Thank you, my dear friend, Dani Aschini. 418 00:20:54,597 --> 00:20:56,298 Thank you for your beautiful words. 419 00:20:56,298 --> 00:20:56,960 Hi, everyone. 420 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:59,221 Wow. My last time speaking and 421 00:20:59,221 --> 00:21:02,721 singing here in this very room was about 10 years ago when 422 00:21:02,721 --> 00:21:06,449 we were advocating for all access to restrooms, regardless 423 00:21:06,449 --> 00:21:08,459 of abilities and disabilities. 424 00:21:08,460 --> 00:21:11,239 And fast forward to now, very similar lines. 425 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:13,298 We're still asking and advocating. 426 00:21:13,298 --> 00:21:14,759 Are we ready for church? 427 00:21:16,460 --> 00:21:19,894 I'm a proud queer trans immigrant from the Philippines 428 00:21:19,894 --> 00:21:22,700 and I went to private Catholic school. 429 00:21:22,700 --> 00:21:24,740 So, lots of guilt here. 430 00:21:26,019 --> 00:21:30,480 Hello and good day to one and all. 431 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:34,226 Again my name is Alexa Manila and before we ceremonially 432 00:21:34,226 --> 00:21:37,298 roll our eyes, yes indeed my My pronouns are she/they. 433 00:21:38,460 --> 00:21:40,278 And as we are surrounded by elected 434 00:21:40,278 --> 00:21:42,616 and appointed officials and dignitaries, 435 00:21:42,617 --> 00:21:45,117 Mayor Wilson, Reverend McCoy, 436 00:21:46,140 --> 00:21:49,240 you may refer to me as her Imperial Sovereign Majesty, 437 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:52,337 the elected Empress of Seattle, Olympia 35, 438 00:21:52,337 --> 00:21:54,317 the Pearl of the Pacific and Irwin Seuss, 439 00:21:54,317 --> 00:21:57,940 the Thriller from Manila, and Miss Gay Seattle 40, 440 00:21:57,940 --> 00:22:00,440 the oldest drag title, West of the Mississippi, 441 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:01,117 Alexa Manila. 442 00:22:09,778 --> 00:22:10,759 I apologize. 443 00:22:10,759 --> 00:22:12,200 I thought that was enough. 444 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:16,000 My first drag title was also Miss Gay Filipino 2001, 445 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,519 where I won every category except Miss Congeniality. 446 00:22:19,519 --> 00:22:21,097 But I digress. 447 00:22:21,097 --> 00:22:23,420 Now, truth be told, even that's too much jargon for me 448 00:22:23,420 --> 00:22:26,179 on a Monday morning sans caffeine intake. 449 00:22:26,180 --> 00:22:28,816 Now regardless, I represent one of the oldest, if 450 00:22:28,816 --> 00:22:31,259 not the oldest, largest LGBTQ+ organization 451 00:22:31,259 --> 00:22:35,486 in the world, the International Imperial Court System, founded 452 00:22:35,486 --> 00:22:40,259 by Jose Sarria, whom we lovingly called Mama Jose in the 1960s. 453 00:22:40,259 --> 00:22:43,652 Now Jose Sarria was the first openly gay man to ever run for 454 00:22:43,652 --> 00:22:46,259 public office in these United States. 455 00:22:46,259 --> 00:22:49,288 He ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors 456 00:22:49,288 --> 00:22:51,876 that her friend, the late Harvey Milk, won 457 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:54,067 himself a few years later in 1977. 458 00:22:54,067 --> 00:22:57,044 It is believed that Mama Jose paved the way for 459 00:22:57,044 --> 00:23:00,565 him. Mama Jose was a singer at the Black Cat Cafe and for 460 00:23:00,565 --> 00:23:02,519 obvious reasons a drag queen. 461 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:06,086 But more importantly, an activist. 462 00:23:06,086 --> 00:23:08,458 Though he had thousands of votes, it 463 00:23:08,458 --> 00:23:11,460 wasn't enough to secure the position in 1961. 464 00:23:11,460 --> 00:23:16,260 And so his peers with the Tavern Guild gifted and thanked him 465 00:23:16,260 --> 00:23:20,490 for his efforts for naming him, and by naming him, the 466 00:23:20,490 --> 00:23:22,700 Queen of All San Francisco. 467 00:23:22,700 --> 00:23:27,159 However, our beloved Mama Jose quipped, "No, thank you. 468 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:30,337 I'd rather be Empress of San Francisco. 469 00:23:30,337 --> 00:23:31,596 I'm already a queen." 470 00:23:32,778 --> 00:23:34,880 Now you see, queen is a term of endearment 471 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:36,400 for an effeminate gay man. 472 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:38,199 I share this bit of queer history 473 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,720 because even though it happened in the last century, 474 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:43,557 nearly no one knows this. 475 00:23:43,557 --> 00:23:45,199 Only a lucky few of us have the honor 476 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:47,700 of witnessing momentous occasions like this. 477 00:23:47,700 --> 00:23:49,740 I have the honor of having met Mama Jose, 478 00:23:49,740 --> 00:23:52,404 who witnessed my coronation as Empress of Seattle 479 00:23:52,404 --> 00:23:54,717 over 20 years ago, and being recognized 480 00:23:54,717 --> 00:23:57,960 with the Jose Honors International Court Council. 481 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:03,557 Now, some might say this is frivolous and narcissistic even, 482 00:24:03,557 --> 00:24:09,269 but if we don't share our stories, our LGBTQ 483 00:24:09,269 --> 00:24:12,759 histories, then who will? 484 00:24:13,778 --> 00:24:16,420 And if not now, then when? 485 00:24:21,140 --> 00:24:25,087 With the advent of reality TV and drag competitions 486 00:24:25,087 --> 00:24:28,923 around the gay universe, nearly mainstream inclusion 487 00:24:28,923 --> 00:24:32,431 of LGBTQ narratives and main characters from MySpace, 488 00:24:32,431 --> 00:24:36,317 yes, even to OnlyFans, There is no excuse to inform, 489 00:24:36,317 --> 00:24:41,298 educate, nurture, and celebrate our LGBTQ+ communities. 490 00:24:41,298 --> 00:24:45,057 To say we are a diverse community is an understatement 491 00:24:45,057 --> 00:24:47,900 and horribly falling on deaf ears far too 492 00:24:47,900 --> 00:24:50,142 often. I founded Pride Asia to 493 00:24:50,142 --> 00:24:53,088 remind our intersecting and parallel communities 494 00:24:53,088 --> 00:24:56,526 of each other's existence that together we can celebrate, 495 00:24:56,526 --> 00:24:59,880 empower, and nurture the multicultural diversities of 496 00:24:59,880 --> 00:25:03,092 the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 497 00:25:03,092 --> 00:25:06,660 plus communities through the Asian Pacific Islander lens. 498 00:25:06,660 --> 00:25:11,547 This is to remind us that our API families include LGBTQ 499 00:25:11,547 --> 00:25:17,179 relatives and that our LGBTQ communities include API peoples. 500 00:25:18,419 --> 00:25:23,528 Like any and every LGBTQ person in this room and outside this 501 00:25:23,528 --> 00:25:25,876 room, we are not a monolith. 502 00:25:25,876 --> 00:25:27,480 We are different. 503 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:28,980 We are unique. 504 00:25:28,980 --> 00:25:30,680 We are special. 505 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:34,596 Our differences are what define our diversity. 506 00:25:35,896 --> 00:25:39,015 I'm noticing I may sound a little tart, albeit rather 507 00:25:39,015 --> 00:25:40,357 old, bitter and jaded. 508 00:25:40,357 --> 00:25:44,317 But I digress, for in fact I am upset. 509 00:25:44,317 --> 00:25:48,317 Don't worry, I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the dirt. 510 00:25:49,778 --> 00:25:52,616 Only a couple got that in reference. 511 00:25:52,616 --> 00:25:54,826 At this current and so-called leadership in 512 00:25:54,826 --> 00:25:55,959 the big old pale house, 513 00:25:57,419 --> 00:26:01,170 and so in the spirit of the themes for Seattle Pride's 514 00:26:01,170 --> 00:26:04,577 rally and Pride Fest's keeping the flame alive, 515 00:26:04,577 --> 00:26:06,826 let's rally together. 516 00:26:06,826 --> 00:26:09,900 Let's be flamboyant together. 517 00:26:09,900 --> 00:26:12,336 Remember what pride is about. 518 00:26:12,336 --> 00:26:16,038 Pride is about people, our right to humanity. 519 00:26:16,038 --> 00:26:20,960 Pride is about revolution, our right to fight fascism. 520 00:26:20,960 --> 00:26:26,616 Pride is about independence, our right to autonomy and choice. 521 00:26:26,616 --> 00:26:31,165 Pride is about dependence, our right to love each 522 00:26:31,165 --> 00:26:33,719 other and love one another. 523 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:39,317 Pride is about evolution, our right to grow and glow. 524 00:26:39,317 --> 00:26:45,673 In the words of Mama Jose, together we stand, divided they 525 00:26:45,673 --> 00:26:48,659 will pick us out, one by one. 526 00:26:50,019 --> 00:26:54,749 So together we pride, not simply as a noun, but 527 00:26:54,749 --> 00:26:59,479 a verb, an action word, a rally, a revolution. 528 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:01,980 And lastly, if you would join me. 529 00:27:04,097 --> 00:27:13,396 Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, 530 00:27:15,419 --> 00:27:22,660 This a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. 531 00:27:24,817 --> 00:27:32,900 Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. 532 00:27:34,239 --> 00:27:39,597 And the dreams that you dare to dream 533 00:27:39,597 --> 00:27:41,180 Really do come true 534 00:27:42,700 --> 00:27:44,336 Juniper, this one's for you. 535 00:27:44,337 --> 00:27:49,490 Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the 536 00:27:49,490 --> 00:27:51,480 clouds are far behind me 537 00:27:53,396 --> 00:27:56,278 Where troubles melt like lemon drops 538 00:27:57,317 --> 00:28:05,097 away above the chimney tops that's where you find me 539 00:28:08,077 --> 00:28:16,616 Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly. 540 00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:28,259 Birds fly over the rainbow, why, then why can't I? 541 00:28:30,116 --> 00:28:40,894 If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, 542 00:28:40,894 --> 00:28:44,999 why, oh why can't I? 543 00:28:44,999 --> 00:28:45,659 And we... 544 00:28:48,097 --> 00:28:50,200 Salama po' Seattle. 545 00:28:50,200 --> 00:28:53,365 My name is Alexa Manila and it is my honor to 546 00:28:53,365 --> 00:28:56,960 introduce my dear, dear friend, peer, colleague, 547 00:28:56,960 --> 00:29:00,919 and fellow activist, Seattle native, Deontay Damper. 548 00:29:05,759 --> 00:29:10,085 Deontay Damper is an Emmy nominated storyteller and long 549 00:29:10,085 --> 00:29:14,997 time, let me say that again, the people in the back and the 550 00:29:14,997 --> 00:29:20,979 people in Pluto is an Emmy nominated storyteller and long 551 00:29:20,980 --> 00:29:25,192 long-time advocate for HIV awareness and LGBTQ 552 00:29:25,192 --> 00:29:27,192 affirming education. 553 00:29:27,192 --> 00:29:34,160 In 2019, he made history as NAACP's first, let me repeat 554 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:40,701 that again, NAACP's first LGBTQIA chair. 555 00:29:40,701 --> 00:29:44,500 He founded BRGA, a healing space for 556 00:29:44,500 --> 00:29:46,924 young men of color, and has worked with 557 00:29:46,924 --> 00:29:49,721 Pocan, Volcan Washington, and the Washington 558 00:29:49,721 --> 00:29:52,480 Therapy Fund Foundation, where he now serves 559 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:53,857 as vice president. 560 00:29:53,857 --> 00:29:56,038 Deonte is the community engagement specialist 561 00:29:56,038 --> 00:30:00,740 for the regional office for gun violence prevention, 562 00:30:00,740 --> 00:30:03,000 that's my Filipino accent, at Public Health 563 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:06,586 Seattle and King County, a Bill 206 leader and 564 00:30:06,586 --> 00:30:10,701 host of We Live in Color on Converge Media. 565 00:30:10,701 --> 00:30:13,096 Please welcome Deontay Damper! 566 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:20,663 Test, test, test. 567 00:30:20,663 --> 00:30:22,048 Yes, come on Maddie. 568 00:30:22,048 --> 00:30:23,596 Can y'all hear me okay? 569 00:30:23,596 --> 00:30:26,288 Now Alexa, I'm just letting y'all know, 570 00:30:26,288 --> 00:30:29,068 she got to sing, but if I If I wrapped Lil' Kim in here, 571 00:30:29,068 --> 00:30:30,200 y'all would be mad, right? 572 00:30:32,239 --> 00:30:36,240 I want to say, one, welcome, and you are safe here. 573 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:38,740 My name is Deontay Damper, and I'm from the South End 574 00:30:38,740 --> 00:30:40,199 area of Seattle, Washington. 575 00:30:43,317 --> 00:30:46,444 And I'm so excited to be here, but let me just tell you 576 00:30:46,444 --> 00:30:48,116 about the little me, right? 577 00:30:48,116 --> 00:30:50,396 I grew up in the Rainier Beach area, right? 578 00:30:50,396 --> 00:30:55,778 the area that has been impacted by gun violence tirelessly. 579 00:30:55,778 --> 00:30:57,776 And I grew up in that area, and I went through 580 00:30:57,776 --> 00:30:59,970 survival mode there because I was teased a 581 00:30:59,970 --> 00:31:01,356 lot because I was queer. 582 00:31:01,357 --> 00:31:03,357 And then I go to a space like Capitol Hill, 583 00:31:04,720 --> 00:31:08,380 as we say and perform and say it's all-inclusive, 584 00:31:08,380 --> 00:31:11,019 but the reality of it is there is no representation 585 00:31:12,057 --> 00:31:13,880 for black and brown folks there. 586 00:31:13,880 --> 00:31:18,557 So I grew up saying to myself, where the hell do I fit? 587 00:31:20,057 --> 00:31:24,930 That led into addiction, that led into homelessness, that led 588 00:31:24,930 --> 00:31:29,519 into crashing out and not really having a space for myself. 589 00:31:29,519 --> 00:31:33,856 But one day, I finally decided to come back home to Seattle. 590 00:31:35,278 --> 00:31:38,959 to come and tell you and everybody else to their face 591 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:40,538 that I can fit any goddamn wear. 592 00:31:44,700 --> 00:31:48,980 I've been working tirelessly in the South King County area 593 00:31:48,980 --> 00:31:51,337 with providing inclusivity conversations 594 00:31:51,337 --> 00:31:53,617 for our LGBTQIA community members, 595 00:31:53,617 --> 00:31:56,038 working with the city of Kent to start their Kent Pride, 596 00:31:56,038 --> 00:31:57,699 which will be happening next year, 597 00:31:57,700 --> 00:31:59,729 because I don't think that everybody needs 598 00:31:59,729 --> 00:32:02,357 to come to Capitol Hill to find a space of refuge. 599 00:32:02,357 --> 00:32:04,440 They can be anywhere, right? 600 00:32:04,440 --> 00:32:09,856 So that leads my call to call in action for all of you. 601 00:32:11,116 --> 00:32:15,576 When we look at HIV funding and how black and brown 602 00:32:15,576 --> 00:32:18,846 organizations are depleting, and a lot of you 603 00:32:18,846 --> 00:32:21,432 apply for these grants and do not prioritize black 604 00:32:21,432 --> 00:32:22,616 and brown folks at all, 605 00:32:24,419 --> 00:32:29,211 about prioritizing, you claim to prioritize 606 00:32:29,211 --> 00:32:32,539 black women in office, but every time when 607 00:32:32,539 --> 00:32:35,396 you get up to a podium, you speak down on her? 608 00:32:37,577 --> 00:32:40,480 I speak for the black trans women that are, 609 00:32:41,538 --> 00:32:43,557 you can clap for it because it's real shit. 610 00:32:48,778 --> 00:32:52,963 As much as we are calling in for community to make sure 611 00:32:52,963 --> 00:32:57,057 it's a safe and sanctuary city, it is also our priority to 612 00:32:57,057 --> 00:33:00,597 make sure that we are not performing with inclusivity. 613 00:33:00,597 --> 00:33:02,160 It is a damn action. 614 00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:03,720 So I'm calling in our community. 615 00:33:03,720 --> 00:33:05,722 Are you guys going to also prioritize black 616 00:33:05,722 --> 00:33:06,837 and brown folks as well? 617 00:33:11,116 --> 00:33:13,986 I say this into a space because we need to be 618 00:33:13,986 --> 00:33:15,459 able to fit anywhere. 619 00:33:15,460 --> 00:33:18,299 And as much as we are calling out folks that are 620 00:33:18,299 --> 00:33:21,366 in high positions, we also have to call ourselves 621 00:33:21,366 --> 00:33:22,940 so we can get in position. 622 00:33:22,940 --> 00:33:24,317 You know what I'm saying? 623 00:33:24,317 --> 00:33:29,807 And with that being said, and that's exactly why the show 624 00:33:29,807 --> 00:33:32,259 We Live in Color was born. 625 00:33:32,259 --> 00:33:36,384 See, the show, I have to thank one of my allies, 626 00:33:36,384 --> 00:33:40,836 Omari Salisbury, who is my brother and my friend. 627 00:33:46,999 --> 00:33:50,169 And this show was created to give a voice to black and 628 00:33:50,169 --> 00:33:54,259 brown communities that have not feel heard or seen. 629 00:33:54,259 --> 00:33:58,209 We're almost on our 100th episode right now, but 630 00:33:58,209 --> 00:34:02,057 we've been able to uplift voices of organizers 631 00:34:02,057 --> 00:34:03,000 such as Moni Tapp. 632 00:34:04,636 --> 00:34:06,817 Give it up for Moni Tapp because she in the damn room. 633 00:34:09,418 --> 00:34:12,797 Councilmember Hollingsworth, Dr. Renee McCoy, 634 00:34:12,797 --> 00:34:17,559 Andrew Eshiofu, Rami, and lots of others. 635 00:34:17,559 --> 00:34:21,159 And the main reason why this show is so important is because 636 00:34:21,159 --> 00:34:24,518 most of the time when we come into rooms and meetings with 637 00:34:24,518 --> 00:34:27,159 politicians and communities that we're supposed to be walking 638 00:34:27,159 --> 00:34:30,590 alongside with, we're usually silenced. 639 00:34:30,590 --> 00:34:34,018 So as we are sitting here and we are raising 640 00:34:34,018 --> 00:34:36,793 this flag, I want y'all to know that we have to stop 641 00:34:36,793 --> 00:34:38,081 with the performance. 642 00:34:38,081 --> 00:34:39,626 In the next two weeks, I will 643 00:34:39,626 --> 00:34:42,239 be your Grand Marshal for Seattle Pride, okay? 644 00:34:51,719 --> 00:34:55,545 And when we're talking about rallying, I am talking about 645 00:34:55,545 --> 00:34:59,360 rallying for every single one of you in this room. 646 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:02,369 So I ask you, will you rally with me to make sure that black 647 00:35:02,369 --> 00:35:04,998 women are continuing to be uplifted in their positions? 648 00:35:04,998 --> 00:35:07,827 Will you rally with me to continue to make sure that 649 00:35:07,827 --> 00:35:10,518 black HIV-led organizations are being funded? 650 00:35:12,259 --> 00:35:16,277 And a part of that is also with the folks who walk alongside us. 651 00:35:16,277 --> 00:35:18,864 I have my friend Maddie Mooney, who has a message 652 00:35:18,864 --> 00:35:19,900 for our community. 653 00:35:19,900 --> 00:35:21,179 Come on, Maddie. 654 00:35:21,179 --> 00:35:21,920 Give it up for Maddie. 655 00:35:28,639 --> 00:35:30,498 Good afternoon, everyone. 656 00:35:31,619 --> 00:35:35,000 And thank you to the Seattle LGBTQ Commission for 657 00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:36,978 creating space for us today. 658 00:35:36,978 --> 00:35:39,440 As we gather here during Pride Month, it's important to 659 00:35:39,440 --> 00:35:42,764 remember that trans communities have never survived because 660 00:35:42,764 --> 00:35:44,818 systems were never built for us. 661 00:35:45,858 --> 00:35:47,099 I'm sorry. 662 00:35:47,099 --> 00:35:50,672 It is important to remember that trans communities 663 00:35:50,672 --> 00:35:54,000 have never survived because systems were built 664 00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:57,259 We survived because we built systems for ourselves. 665 00:35:58,539 --> 00:36:02,369 We found and collected resources to share with our community 666 00:36:02,369 --> 00:36:06,056 what healthcare was affordable or safe, and realistically 667 00:36:06,056 --> 00:36:09,440 sometimes only one of those, where we could sleep, where 668 00:36:09,440 --> 00:36:11,777 where we could eat, where we could find joy. 669 00:36:12,898 --> 00:36:16,099 For generations, trans people have created networks of care 670 00:36:16,099 --> 00:36:18,947 when healthcare was unavailable, shared housing when 671 00:36:18,947 --> 00:36:21,487 housing systems excluded us, raised money for one 672 00:36:21,487 --> 00:36:24,246 another when institutions would not invest in us, 673 00:36:24,246 --> 00:36:27,338 and passed down knowledge, resources, and support 674 00:36:27,338 --> 00:36:28,559 through community. 675 00:36:28,559 --> 00:36:32,320 That legacy continues today with support from King County 676 00:36:32,320 --> 00:36:36,293 and in collaboration with the coalition ending gender-based 677 00:36:36,293 --> 00:36:39,262 violence. The 2026 King County Trans Resource 678 00:36:39,262 --> 00:36:41,978 and Referral Guide is a part of that tradition. 679 00:36:41,978 --> 00:36:44,978 It is a community-created tool designed to help people 680 00:36:44,978 --> 00:36:48,376 find affirming health care, housing support, 681 00:36:48,376 --> 00:36:51,858 legal resources, behavioral health services, 682 00:36:51,858 --> 00:36:53,599 crisis support, and connection. 683 00:36:53,599 --> 00:36:55,896 It exists because trans folks and our allies 684 00:36:55,896 --> 00:36:58,838 understand that access access to information can be 685 00:36:58,838 --> 00:37:00,818 life-changing and life-saving. 686 00:37:00,818 --> 00:37:03,260 And that matters now more than ever. 687 00:37:03,260 --> 00:37:06,219 At a time when trans and gender diverse folks are facing 688 00:37:06,219 --> 00:37:09,998 unprecedented political, systemic, even physical attacks 689 00:37:09,998 --> 00:37:13,938 and death across the country, we cannot thrive or even survive 690 00:37:13,938 --> 00:37:15,579 on visibility alone. 691 00:37:20,478 --> 00:37:24,338 That is why today is not only the start of a celebration. 692 00:37:24,338 --> 00:37:25,891 It is a call to action. 693 00:37:25,891 --> 00:37:27,958 It is a start of a revolution. 694 00:37:29,039 --> 00:37:33,128 We invite our elected officials, community partners, funders, 695 00:37:33,128 --> 00:37:37,063 healthcare systems, employers, and neighbors to move beyond 696 00:37:37,063 --> 00:37:40,320 statements of support and into meaningful action. 697 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:42,967 Support trans-led organizations. 698 00:37:42,967 --> 00:37:44,998 Fund trans-led solutions. 699 00:37:44,998 --> 00:37:46,518 Hire trans people. 700 00:37:47,639 --> 00:37:51,021 Invest in the infrastructure that helps our communities 701 00:37:51,021 --> 00:37:52,219 survive and thrive. 702 00:37:52,219 --> 00:37:55,061 And that includes this guide, which is only 703 00:37:55,061 --> 00:37:58,297 funded approximately every three to five years. 704 00:37:58,297 --> 00:38:01,963 Because when trans people have the resources that we need, 705 00:38:01,963 --> 00:38:05,565 when we create ways, and when we create ways to centralize 706 00:38:05,565 --> 00:38:09,480 access to those resources, our entire community is stronger. 707 00:38:09,480 --> 00:38:12,356 The work of caring for one another has always been 708 00:38:12,356 --> 00:38:13,619 a part of our history. 709 00:38:13,619 --> 00:38:16,871 The question before all of us now is whether or not we will 710 00:38:16,871 --> 00:38:18,739 continue that legacy together. 711 00:38:20,039 --> 00:38:22,090 Because the care we put into trans communities 712 00:38:22,090 --> 00:38:23,878 is the clearest reflection of the kind of 713 00:38:23,878 --> 00:38:26,878 community we choose to build when it matters most. 714 00:38:26,878 --> 00:38:27,938 Thank you and happy Pride. 715 00:38:29,398 --> 00:38:30,398 Thank you. 716 00:38:38,518 --> 00:38:39,739 Somewhere. 717 00:38:40,998 --> 00:38:42,179 No, no, no, no. 718 00:38:43,739 --> 00:38:45,199 Kettle, you were supposed to join in, right? 719 00:38:47,679 --> 00:38:50,599 Okay, I know we're kind of past time, so I won't read the bio, 720 00:38:50,599 --> 00:38:53,318 but I will just say we are so happy to have, 721 00:38:53,318 --> 00:38:56,822 I think this is the first time we have two beautiful 722 00:38:56,822 --> 00:38:58,739 black women on our council. 723 00:38:58,739 --> 00:38:59,478 Is that correct? 724 00:39:07,858 --> 00:39:09,099 And you know what? 725 00:39:09,099 --> 00:39:11,179 I'm going to do this because they didn't do this before. 726 00:39:11,179 --> 00:39:13,603 Y'all get on your feet and give it up for Council 727 00:39:13,603 --> 00:39:14,659 Member Dion Foster. 728 00:39:14,659 --> 00:39:16,398 Okay, Councilwoman Dion Foster. 729 00:39:16,398 --> 00:39:18,059 Get on your feet. 730 00:39:18,059 --> 00:39:19,378 Get on your feet, please. 731 00:39:20,878 --> 00:39:21,378 get on your feet 732 00:39:24,438 --> 00:39:32,518 who's better than Deontay 733 00:39:34,199 --> 00:39:35,139 nobody baby 734 00:39:37,818 --> 00:39:39,179 thank you thank you Alexa 735 00:39:40,458 --> 00:39:42,297 good afternoon everyone how are y'all doing 736 00:39:42,297 --> 00:39:46,498 yeah my name is Deon Foster 737 00:39:46,498 --> 00:39:48,773 and it is just absolutely a pleasure to get to be 738 00:39:48,773 --> 00:39:49,938 here with you all today. 739 00:39:49,938 --> 00:39:52,735 I have some prepared remarks that I'm going to get into, 740 00:39:52,735 --> 00:39:54,922 but first actually what I want to say is I was 741 00:39:54,922 --> 00:39:56,320 listening to Alexa up here. 742 00:39:56,320 --> 00:39:59,318 I didn't sing along because I can't. 743 00:40:00,958 --> 00:40:05,161 But what it reminded me of is I got to take my kid, 744 00:40:05,161 --> 00:40:10,119 who's now 13, to drag queen story time quite a few times. 745 00:40:10,119 --> 00:40:13,929 And so I have to say thank you for helping me raise a 746 00:40:13,929 --> 00:40:16,159 kid who is an A-plus student. 747 00:40:16,159 --> 00:40:18,764 Hey! Smart, empathetic, 748 00:40:18,764 --> 00:40:20,179 kind, and amazing. 749 00:40:20,179 --> 00:40:23,065 And I think that's what happens when we celebrate in community 750 00:40:23,065 --> 00:40:24,619 and we're in community together. 751 00:40:24,619 --> 00:40:25,858 So shout out to you. 752 00:40:30,039 --> 00:40:32,858 It is an absolute honor to get to be here today for 753 00:40:32,858 --> 00:40:35,958 the Pride celebration and flag raising at City Hall. 754 00:40:35,958 --> 00:40:37,318 I know a lot of folks were here last year. 755 00:40:37,318 --> 00:40:39,199 It was wet and rainy outside. 756 00:40:39,199 --> 00:40:40,518 I'm looking at people last year. 757 00:40:40,518 --> 00:40:42,099 I know somebody had the umbrella. 758 00:40:42,099 --> 00:40:44,099 So this is really fantastic to get to be inside 759 00:40:44,099 --> 00:40:45,418 with you all today. 760 00:40:45,418 --> 00:40:48,898 And I wanna start off by saying LGBTQ community 761 00:40:48,898 --> 00:40:52,119 is not on the margins of our city. 762 00:40:52,119 --> 00:40:55,099 Queer and trans people are and always have been 763 00:40:55,099 --> 00:40:57,418 central to who Seattle is. 764 00:40:57,418 --> 00:40:59,179 You have shaped our neighborhoods, our 765 00:40:59,179 --> 00:41:01,309 arts and culture, our small businesses, our 766 00:41:01,309 --> 00:41:03,628 movements for justice, for civic leadership, 767 00:41:03,628 --> 00:41:06,438 and our understanding of what it means to belong. 768 00:41:06,438 --> 00:41:09,018 And that's from Capitol Hill to the Central District, 769 00:41:09,018 --> 00:41:11,059 from community organizations. 770 00:41:11,059 --> 00:41:13,858 I'm seeing West Seattle Pride in the house, 771 00:41:13,858 --> 00:41:17,338 to faith communities, families, nightlife spaces, 772 00:41:17,338 --> 00:41:19,699 Pride Asia to Trans Pride. 773 00:41:19,699 --> 00:41:22,297 Our city is more creative, more courageous, 774 00:41:22,297 --> 00:41:24,719 and more free because of you. 775 00:41:24,719 --> 00:41:27,358 And pride also should be joyful. 776 00:41:27,358 --> 00:41:29,179 We have a lot to resist this year, 777 00:41:29,179 --> 00:41:31,378 but we also have a lot to celebrate and share 778 00:41:31,378 --> 00:41:33,518 and have joy with one another. 779 00:41:33,518 --> 00:41:36,878 A celebration of love, identity, chosen family, 780 00:41:36,878 --> 00:41:39,039 survival, and beauty. 781 00:41:39,039 --> 00:41:41,659 And pride is also responsibility. 782 00:41:41,659 --> 00:41:44,318 At a time when our communities are under attack, 783 00:41:44,318 --> 00:41:47,619 especially for trans and gender non-conforming people, 784 00:41:47,619 --> 00:41:50,059 at a time when we're seeing escalating attacks 785 00:41:50,059 --> 00:41:53,277 across the country, raising this flag 786 00:41:53,277 --> 00:41:56,210 cannot only be symbolic, it has to also be a 787 00:41:56,210 --> 00:41:57,538 public commitment. 788 00:41:57,539 --> 00:41:59,768 A commitment that Seattle will defend civil 789 00:41:59,768 --> 00:42:02,119 rights, a commitment that our trans neighbors 790 00:42:02,119 --> 00:42:06,184 are seen, valued, and protected, and a commitment that queer, 791 00:42:06,184 --> 00:42:10,481 trans, black, indigenous, AA, NPHI, communities, immigrants, 792 00:42:10,481 --> 00:42:14,518 disabled, and other people of color are not an afterthought 793 00:42:14,518 --> 00:42:17,159 but are centered in how we think about safety and belonging. 794 00:42:18,318 --> 00:42:20,456 As chair of the Arts and Civil Rights Committee, 795 00:42:20,456 --> 00:42:22,699 I think a lot about visibility because visibility 796 00:42:22,699 --> 00:42:24,246 ability is powerful. 797 00:42:24,246 --> 00:42:25,623 Who gets to be seen? 798 00:42:25,623 --> 00:42:27,688 Who gets to be safe in public? 799 00:42:27,688 --> 00:42:29,838 Whose history is remembered? 800 00:42:29,838 --> 00:42:31,672 Whose culture is protected? 801 00:42:31,672 --> 00:42:34,344 Whose lives are treated as worthy of care? 802 00:42:34,344 --> 00:42:36,559 These are civil rights questions, 803 00:42:36,559 --> 00:42:39,512 but they're also questions of culture and community. 804 00:42:39,512 --> 00:42:41,679 Because LGBTQ communities have always 805 00:42:41,679 --> 00:42:44,733 used art, performance, resistance, and public 806 00:42:44,733 --> 00:42:48,503 gathering to insist on dignity when systems refused to 807 00:42:48,503 --> 00:42:49,396 provide it. 808 00:42:49,396 --> 00:42:52,340 So today as we raise this flag I hope that 809 00:42:52,340 --> 00:42:54,496 it represents more than a celebration. 810 00:42:54,496 --> 00:42:56,719 I hope that it represents our obligation 811 00:42:56,719 --> 00:43:00,056 to protect one another and to protect the generations 812 00:43:00,056 --> 00:43:02,538 that have fought for moments like this being 813 00:43:02,538 --> 00:43:05,277 possible and for the identity and love and care that we 814 00:43:05,277 --> 00:43:08,699 we all have for one another in our city. 815 00:43:08,699 --> 00:43:11,079 So with that, I'm going to say happy Pride. 816 00:43:11,079 --> 00:43:12,398 Thank you for your partnership. 817 00:43:12,398 --> 00:43:17,277 And let's keep fighting for the city that we believe in. 818 00:43:21,018 --> 00:43:23,219 And-- oh, there you are. 819 00:43:23,219 --> 00:43:24,478 And I was like, where did they go? 820 00:43:24,478 --> 00:43:27,978 And now I get to introduce Andrew Eshiofu, one 821 00:43:27,978 --> 00:43:29,599 of my favorite people in the city, somebody 822 00:43:29,599 --> 00:43:33,358 somebody who is just bright, smart, kind, and welcoming, 823 00:43:33,358 --> 00:43:36,978 and who's also a commissioner and two-time co-chair 824 00:43:36,978 --> 00:43:40,217 of the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, where he's worked closely 825 00:43:40,217 --> 00:43:42,181 with city leadership to advance equity, 826 00:43:42,181 --> 00:43:45,302 community safety, and access for queer and LGBTQ 827 00:43:45,302 --> 00:43:47,418 residents all across Seattle. 828 00:43:47,418 --> 00:43:48,297 Welcome, Andrew. 829 00:43:49,918 --> 00:43:52,898 Thank you. 830 00:43:52,898 --> 00:43:54,099 And I'm going to present you... 831 00:43:56,878 --> 00:44:00,313 And I'm presenting Andrew with the Pride Month Proclamation, 832 00:44:00,313 --> 00:44:01,900 which they're going to read. 833 00:44:01,900 --> 00:44:02,559 There we go. 834 00:44:02,559 --> 00:44:03,619 Let's just take a picture with this. 835 00:44:05,898 --> 00:44:06,739 I don't know where we're looking. 836 00:44:06,739 --> 00:44:07,239 Oh, over there. 837 00:44:10,559 --> 00:44:10,918 Okay, great. 838 00:44:13,079 --> 00:44:14,039 That is not right. 839 00:44:16,039 --> 00:44:17,956 Wow. Thank you so much, 840 00:44:17,956 --> 00:44:19,498 Councilmember Foster. 841 00:44:19,498 --> 00:44:22,721 I just want to say before I redeploy commission, 842 00:44:22,721 --> 00:44:25,460 a huge thank you to everyone in this room. 843 00:44:27,039 --> 00:44:30,052 To our elected officials, to my fellow commissioners, 844 00:44:30,052 --> 00:44:32,277 please could you give a round of applause 845 00:44:32,277 --> 00:44:33,639 to my fellow commissioners? 846 00:44:38,338 --> 00:44:42,552 To the city staff of OCR, Meredith, Marta, 847 00:44:42,552 --> 00:44:45,079 where are you all, Janet? 848 00:44:45,079 --> 00:44:46,699 Thank you so much, Sebastian. 849 00:44:46,699 --> 00:44:48,759 Thank you so much for all you do. 850 00:44:48,759 --> 00:44:52,346 And other staff, and most especially to the community 851 00:44:52,346 --> 00:44:54,179 that my commission serves. 852 00:44:54,179 --> 00:44:57,306 And also, I forgot to mention leaders in the community-based 853 00:44:57,306 --> 00:45:00,275 organization from Enteros and Manos to Pocan to 854 00:45:00,275 --> 00:45:04,025 Lavender Rights to Gender Justice League to we also 855 00:45:04,025 --> 00:45:08,659 have our small businesses in the room, GBSA, if I'm right. 856 00:45:08,659 --> 00:45:11,259 And if I don't say it right, please forgive me. 857 00:45:11,259 --> 00:45:15,297 This proclamation is a commitment. 858 00:45:15,297 --> 00:45:20,224 this proclamation is not just a promise, but a statement of 859 00:45:20,224 --> 00:45:24,594 fact, a statement of security, and above all, a statement 860 00:45:24,594 --> 00:45:27,385 to say this is who we are in Seattle, this is 861 00:45:27,385 --> 00:45:30,648 what Seattle stands for, and this is what we would 862 00:45:30,648 --> 00:45:33,579 always be in Seattle to create a welcoming space. 863 00:45:35,318 --> 00:45:42,659 Whereas two SLGBTQIA+ residents of this welcoming city, 864 00:45:45,259 --> 00:45:49,159 year after I refer to as the community, 865 00:45:49,159 --> 00:45:54,719 represents the beauty and habit of belonging in Seattle. 866 00:45:55,998 --> 00:45:59,418 And whereas Seattle fulfills its mandate 867 00:46:00,478 --> 00:46:05,659 as a welcoming city by providing refuge and safety 868 00:46:05,659 --> 00:46:08,918 for the community and its members, 869 00:46:08,918 --> 00:46:12,797 and whereas the community and its members 870 00:46:12,797 --> 00:46:16,661 members are integral contributors and vibrant 871 00:46:16,661 --> 00:46:20,717 participants in the Pacific Northwest academic, 872 00:46:21,818 --> 00:46:27,061 artistic, economic, political, and social welfare, 873 00:46:27,061 --> 00:46:32,942 particularly uplifting queer and trans, black, indigenous, and 874 00:46:32,942 --> 00:46:37,659 other people of color, disabled queer, queer immigrants, 875 00:46:37,659 --> 00:46:40,918 and many other diverse community members. 876 00:46:40,918 --> 00:46:45,318 And whereas community members have persisted 877 00:46:45,318 --> 00:46:49,898 through an onslaught of attacks against our own, 878 00:46:49,898 --> 00:46:53,418 including the erosion of our civil rights 879 00:46:53,418 --> 00:46:58,259 and attempts to erase our histories and personhoods, 880 00:46:58,259 --> 00:47:02,797 and whereas generations of community members, 881 00:47:02,797 --> 00:47:07,101 past and present have paved the way for us to 882 00:47:07,101 --> 00:47:12,119 make our voices heard and have fought for our right 883 00:47:12,119 --> 00:47:17,532 to be accepted and valued and for our collective histories to 884 00:47:17,532 --> 00:47:22,465 remain dignified, recognized, and remembered. 885 00:47:22,465 --> 00:47:28,226 And whereas we hold the city accountable to its 886 00:47:28,226 --> 00:47:35,612 proactive mandate as a beacon of hope, safety, and prosperity 887 00:47:35,612 --> 00:47:42,179 for local, national, and global members of the community 888 00:47:42,179 --> 00:47:44,998 as they dwell in our city. 889 00:47:44,998 --> 00:47:49,931 Now, therefore, the Mayor and the Seattle City 890 00:47:49,931 --> 00:47:54,739 Council proclaim June 2026 to be Pride Month. 891 00:48:06,458 --> 00:48:11,079 As I said, it's not just a statement. 892 00:48:11,079 --> 00:48:13,159 It's not just something written in paper. 893 00:48:13,159 --> 00:48:15,338 It's who we are as Seattle. 894 00:48:15,338 --> 00:48:18,619 It's who we are every day, who we've always 895 00:48:18,619 --> 00:48:20,398 been, and who we'll be. 896 00:48:20,398 --> 00:48:24,458 We are the beacon and we should always be the beacon. 897 00:48:24,458 --> 00:48:28,701 And so this proclamation, as I said, is held accountable to 898 00:48:28,701 --> 00:48:31,039 all our city elected officials. 899 00:48:31,039 --> 00:48:35,239 Now, it's a pleasure to introduce someone very special. 900 00:48:35,239 --> 00:48:38,177 And I know I have your bio here, but I just have to 901 00:48:38,177 --> 00:48:39,759 put you on the spotlight. 902 00:48:39,759 --> 00:48:44,333 And as when Chris Correa came into the commission, 903 00:48:44,333 --> 00:48:45,858 I was so excited. 904 00:48:45,858 --> 00:48:49,568 And to see you grow to become the co-chair and to bring 905 00:48:49,568 --> 00:48:52,972 the commission to where it is, I am so honored to be part 906 00:48:52,972 --> 00:48:54,458 of the commission with you. 907 00:48:54,458 --> 00:48:57,059 And I'm so glad that you're part of the commission. 908 00:48:57,059 --> 00:49:00,971 And please give a round of applause to Chris 909 00:49:00,971 --> 00:49:02,818 while I read his bio. 910 00:49:02,818 --> 00:49:06,576 In addition to his role as co-chair of the Seattle LGBTQ 911 00:49:06,576 --> 00:49:10,563 Commission, Chris Correa also supervises Seattle Crisis Care 912 00:49:10,563 --> 00:49:13,878 Responder teams as part of the city's Community Assisted 913 00:49:13,878 --> 00:49:16,340 Response and Engagement Department, better 914 00:49:16,340 --> 00:49:17,119 known as CARE. 915 00:49:18,679 --> 00:49:22,652 Chris brings years of experience as a licensed mental health 916 00:49:22,652 --> 00:49:26,786 counselor into these roles and and a passion for reimagining 917 00:49:26,786 --> 00:49:30,494 a more accessible, equitable, and community-centered 918 00:49:30,494 --> 00:49:33,458 landscape for everyone who calls Seattle home. 919 00:49:33,458 --> 00:49:35,579 A round of applause to Chris Correa. 920 00:49:38,659 --> 00:49:50,139 CHRIS CORREA: So this June marks the 14th Pride flag raising. 921 00:49:50,139 --> 00:49:52,059 but we're going to do a little first here that we've 922 00:49:52,059 --> 00:49:53,018 never done at this event, 923 00:49:54,099 --> 00:49:57,938 which is the Community Impact Awards. 924 00:49:57,938 --> 00:49:59,878 So, yeah, we can clap for that. 925 00:49:59,878 --> 00:50:00,659 We can clap for that. 926 00:50:03,898 --> 00:50:07,364 So the commission envisioned this process where we 927 00:50:07,364 --> 00:50:11,496 wanted to do these awards to recognize a noteworthy 928 00:50:11,496 --> 00:50:14,059 community member and one community 929 00:50:14,059 --> 00:50:15,378 organization that we felt 930 00:50:16,418 --> 00:50:18,559 really has done some substantial work, 931 00:50:18,559 --> 00:50:22,838 particularly over the past year, on behalf of Two Spirit 932 00:50:22,838 --> 00:50:25,679 LGBTQIA+ community members. 933 00:50:25,679 --> 00:50:28,719 So today, it's my honor to recognize them as follows. 934 00:50:30,018 --> 00:50:33,039 Our first ever Community Impact Award winner 935 00:50:33,039 --> 00:50:36,059 is a South Seattle community advocate, 936 00:50:36,059 --> 00:50:39,378 a nonprofit leader, a business owner. 937 00:50:39,378 --> 00:50:44,101 He serves as the board president of Friends for Denny Blaine, 938 00:50:44,101 --> 00:50:48,177 maybe you've heard of them, where he leads community 939 00:50:48,177 --> 00:50:52,253 stewardship efforts and advocates to protect Denny 940 00:50:52,253 --> 00:50:56,420 Blaine Park as a historic LGBTQ plus gathering place. 941 00:50:56,420 --> 00:51:00,318 He was also part of the community group of activists 942 00:51:00,318 --> 00:51:04,036 that launched Stone Soup Crew, a mutual aid group 943 00:51:04,036 --> 00:51:08,568 providing critical resources to unhoused folks in Capitol 944 00:51:08,568 --> 00:51:12,739 Hill and advocating for unhoused neighbors citywide. 945 00:51:13,797 --> 00:51:18,731 This community member's work also includes policy advocacy 946 00:51:18,731 --> 00:51:22,536 related to LGBTQ+ safety, public safety, regular 947 00:51:22,536 --> 00:51:26,141 engagement with state and city leaders, community 948 00:51:26,141 --> 00:51:27,818 groups, and neighbors. 949 00:51:27,818 --> 00:51:30,978 So would you please join me in recognizing Simon Thornton 950 00:51:30,978 --> 00:51:34,199 for our first ever Community Community Impact Award. 951 00:51:50,818 --> 00:51:53,737 And you can stay up here while we recognize 952 00:51:53,739 --> 00:51:55,838 at least one more award winner. 953 00:51:55,838 --> 00:51:58,297 The organization that we have chosen-- 954 00:51:58,297 --> 00:51:59,579 - We don't understand that, too. 955 00:52:01,358 --> 00:52:04,418 Because we feel that they are an invaluable pillar 956 00:52:04,418 --> 00:52:06,099 of our community. 957 00:52:06,099 --> 00:52:09,018 This is a black, trans, feminist organization 958 00:52:09,018 --> 00:52:12,297 committed to dismantling oppressive systems that 959 00:52:12,297 --> 00:52:15,056 disproportionately harm black communities. 960 00:52:15,059 --> 00:52:18,797 This organization believes that those most impacted by injustice 961 00:52:18,797 --> 00:52:21,838 are the architects of liberation. 962 00:52:21,838 --> 00:52:24,297 And so they ground their work in lived experience, 963 00:52:24,297 --> 00:52:27,056 in resilience, and in leadership. 964 00:52:27,056 --> 00:52:29,907 Through policy and legal advocacy, 965 00:52:29,907 --> 00:52:33,751 movement lawyering, community organizing, wraparound 966 00:52:33,751 --> 00:52:35,244 supportive, you name it. 967 00:52:35,244 --> 00:52:37,518 This organization led by the fearsome 968 00:52:37,518 --> 00:52:38,998 Jalen Scott, for those who know him. 969 00:52:43,018 --> 00:52:47,286 And an incredible dynamic and supportive staff 970 00:52:47,286 --> 00:52:51,978 team works tirelessly to build pathways to justice, 971 00:52:51,978 --> 00:52:55,719 to empowerment, and to systemic change in our community. 972 00:52:55,719 --> 00:52:58,056 Folks, it is my esteemed pleasure to 973 00:52:58,056 --> 00:53:01,518 to celebrate Lavender Rights Project 974 00:53:01,518 --> 00:53:05,219 as our organization for community engagement. 975 00:53:10,918 --> 00:53:12,418 Thank you so much. 976 00:53:17,878 --> 00:53:19,197 And these are our winners. 977 00:53:32,099 --> 00:53:33,898 Thanks so much. 978 00:53:33,898 --> 00:53:34,777 We can give a round of applause. 979 00:53:42,159 --> 00:53:44,623 So I'm going to give some directionals about where 980 00:53:44,623 --> 00:53:45,739 we're going to go next. 981 00:53:47,898 --> 00:53:49,418 For the moment, you've all been waiting for. 982 00:53:49,418 --> 00:53:52,009 We're going to take the next few minutes to make our way 983 00:53:52,009 --> 00:53:53,217 over to raising the flag. 984 00:53:53,219 --> 00:53:54,159 Hold off before you go. 985 00:53:55,699 --> 00:53:57,458 We have a few different viewing options. 986 00:53:57,458 --> 00:54:01,110 So you are welcome to either watch from the balcony that's 987 00:54:01,110 --> 00:54:04,306 on my right, or you can join us by the flagpole at the 988 00:54:04,306 --> 00:54:06,056 downstairs outdoor patio. 989 00:54:06,056 --> 00:54:09,391 To get to the flagpole by elevator, you can leave this 990 00:54:09,391 --> 00:54:11,059 room and go into the lobby. 991 00:54:11,059 --> 00:54:12,556 You'll see two sets of elevators. 992 00:54:12,556 --> 00:54:14,259 There's one that has four elevators. 993 00:54:14,259 --> 00:54:16,938 Don't go down those elevators. 994 00:54:16,938 --> 00:54:18,458 There's one that has two. 995 00:54:18,458 --> 00:54:21,699 Use the rear elevator that has only the two cars and 996 00:54:21,699 --> 00:54:23,318 take it down to level two. 997 00:54:23,318 --> 00:54:26,250 If you have any directional questions, you are welcome 998 00:54:26,250 --> 00:54:28,797 to talk to one of the folks with the gold name tag. 999 00:54:28,797 --> 00:54:31,168 Or many of you work in the city, so you probably 1000 00:54:31,168 --> 00:54:32,539 know your way around here. 1001 00:54:34,077 --> 00:54:36,478 And you're also welcome to watch up here. 1002 00:54:36,478 --> 00:54:39,197 After we get done, you are welcome to come back. 1003 00:54:39,199 --> 00:54:41,884 We have food catered for folks who want some and we 1004 00:54:41,884 --> 00:54:43,259 have plenty for everyone 1005 00:54:44,577 --> 00:54:46,898 So before before we start to move around 1006 00:54:49,577 --> 00:54:54,532 I want to close this part of the program by shifting our 1007 00:54:54,532 --> 00:55:00,259 attention toward the pride flag to do some intention setting I 1008 00:55:00,259 --> 00:55:03,498 Would love for us to just look around the room for a moment 1009 00:55:03,498 --> 00:55:06,358 Look at the folks to your left. 1010 00:55:08,199 --> 00:55:10,518 Look at the folks to your right. 1011 00:55:10,518 --> 00:55:12,677 Make eyes to the person across the room. 1012 00:55:16,077 --> 00:55:19,458 There's a lot going on right now in our city, 1013 00:55:19,458 --> 00:55:21,056 in our state, in our country. 1014 00:55:22,518 --> 00:55:25,072 And as our city prepares for its front porch 1015 00:55:25,072 --> 00:55:26,277 to be a global stage, 1016 00:55:27,759 --> 00:55:29,777 hold each of the people in mind in this room. 1017 00:55:31,538 --> 00:55:34,259 The chosen family, the found family, 1018 00:55:34,259 --> 00:55:37,119 those who have come before us, those who we represent, 1019 00:55:37,119 --> 00:55:40,338 those whose stories we have the privilege to carry on 1020 00:55:40,338 --> 00:55:41,838 because they are not with us anymore. 1021 00:55:43,498 --> 00:55:47,119 Or those whose names were taken from us, who have gone missing. 1022 00:55:47,119 --> 00:55:51,737 Activists have given me names of Canary and Canyon and Indigo 1023 00:55:51,739 --> 00:55:55,929 and Alex and Juniper and Gilbert and Vanessa and 1024 00:55:55,929 --> 00:55:59,405 Livy and Fable and Felicity and L Schmidt I'm sure 1025 00:55:59,405 --> 00:56:01,898 you all have names you're holding in mind as well as 1026 00:56:01,898 --> 00:56:06,213 the people who came before us it's so much more 1027 00:56:06,213 --> 00:56:10,605 important than ever now that we hold on to taking care 1028 00:56:10,605 --> 00:56:14,438 of one another and to the communities that we represent 1029 00:56:14,438 --> 00:56:15,599 present in this room. 1030 00:56:15,599 --> 00:56:17,338 So I can think of no better time to 1031 00:56:17,338 --> 00:56:19,079 actually lift a flag than today. 1032 00:56:20,777 --> 00:56:26,550 To lift each other up as we remember how far we have come 1033 00:56:26,550 --> 00:56:29,757 and how far we will keep going. 1034 00:56:31,759 --> 00:56:36,016 So the progress that we have earned and all the 1035 00:56:36,016 --> 00:56:41,059 progress we have ahead can become our shared reality. 1036 00:56:41,059 --> 00:56:43,719 Thank you so much for being here today, folks. 1037 00:56:43,719 --> 00:56:48,561 and now it's my pleasure to usher you to either the 1038 00:56:48,561 --> 00:56:52,561 balcony of your choosing or down to the elevator or 1039 00:56:52,561 --> 00:56:53,978 down the stairs but first 1040 00:56:55,797 --> 00:56:59,405 I want to make sure that we leave some time for media to 1041 00:56:59,405 --> 00:57:02,940 get down for folks who need some extra assistance or time 1042 00:57:02,940 --> 00:57:05,476 to get down the elevators so why don't we take a 1043 00:57:05,476 --> 00:57:08,344 few minutes talk amongst amongst yourselves, hang 1044 00:57:08,344 --> 00:57:11,277 out for a little bit, and we'll throw on some music, 1045 00:57:11,277 --> 00:57:13,038 and then we'll start to dismiss folks. 1046 00:57:13,038 --> 00:57:14,277 Thank you so much for being here. 1047 00:57:14,277 --> 00:57:16,518 Again, stick around for lunch. 1048 00:57:19,338 --> 00:57:21,338 - All right. 1049 00:57:23,438 --> 00:57:25,119 All right. 1050 00:57:25,119 --> 00:57:26,978 - Good job. 1051 00:57:26,978 --> 00:57:28,038 - Be strong enough, man. 1052 00:57:28,038 --> 00:57:28,739 - There we go. 1053 00:57:28,739 --> 00:57:29,498 - One, three. 1054 00:57:30,898 --> 00:57:32,239 All right. 1055 00:57:32,239 --> 00:57:33,998 One, two, three. 1056 00:57:33,998 --> 00:57:34,438 Thank you. 1057 00:57:52,119 --> 00:57:53,018 Nicely done, sir. 1058 00:58:03,898 --> 00:58:04,458 Woo! 1059 00:58:05,659 --> 00:58:06,777 You should tell me that. 1060 00:58:06,777 --> 00:58:08,077 Come on, have a good time. 1061 00:58:08,077 --> 00:58:08,719 Yes! 1062 00:58:13,659 --> 00:58:14,659 *applause*