Advocacy for policy and systems change.

LGBTQIA+ people face homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and social isolation. Many in our community are doubly or triply impacted by racism, displacement, lack of stable housing or employment, healthcare discrimination and other issues that lead to long-lasting healthcare, housing, and well-being inequities.

We work with community partners, leaders, and elected officials to effectively build power and pass policies that advance economic opportunities for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC
community members.

Top Priorities:

  1. Rent Stabilization: Securing stable and affordable housing is crucial. We're advocating for measures that ensure fair and sustainable housing solutions for all.

    HB 1389/SB5435 Reasonable and predictable rent increases: Rent increase by 3% or inflation, which ever is higher but not to exceed 7%.

    HB1388/Consumer Protection Act to Residential Landlord-Tenant Act: Providing tenants with tools to challenge excessive rent increases that would displace and deny them of their rights.

    HB1124/Six Month Notice for Rent Increase: This would require a 6-month notice for rent increase 5% or more, late cap fee at $75 and tenants allowed to move without penalty if rent increase is out of their range.

  2. SB 5793/Paid Sick Leave Expansion: We're advocating for an expansion of paid sick leave eligibility to better reflect our community's diversity and experiences, including redefining "family member" to encompass a broader scope.

  3. SB 5614/Sex Worker Advocacy: We stand in support of the 'Strippers are Workers Bill,' recognizing the rights and dignity of sex workers within our community.

  4. Doxing Prevention:  Protecting the online privacy of  LGBTQIA+ people.

Supporting Priorities:

  1. Unemployment Insurance for Every Worker (HB 1095/SB 5109): Ensuring inclusive access to unemployment insurance benefits for all workers, irrespective of their work type or status.

  2. Keep Our Care Act (HB 1263/SB 5241): Working to preserve access to essential healthcare services for all individuals in our community.

  3. Inclusion in Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (HB 1905): Advocating for the inclusion of protected classes in the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, striving for equitable opportunities for all.

  4. Wealth Tax (HB 1473/SB 5486): Supporting measures for a fairer tax system that addresses wealth inequality.

  5. Working Family Tax Credit (HB 1075/SB 5249): Advocating for tax credits that support working families, acknowledging the financial challenges faced by many in our community.

  6. Traffic Safety Measures (HB 1513/SB 5572): Prioritizing traffic safety and advocating for fair and equitable traffic stops.

  7. Expanding Family Definitions for Providers (SB 5811): Supporting broader definitions of family members for healthcare and social service providers, acknowledging diverse family structures.

  8. Protection of Workers' Rights (SB 5778): Upholding workers' rights to abstain from attending meetings or listening to their employer's speech on political or religious matters.

  9. Mandating Coverage for Fertility Services (HB 1151/SB 5204): Ensuring access to fertility services for all individuals, recognizing diverse family-building needs.

Your support for these measures is pivotal. Here’s how you can help make a difference this session:

  • Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with these legislations and their progress.

  • Reach Out: Contact your local representatives to express your support for these bills.

  • Spread Awareness: Share information within your circles and encourage discussions around these crucial issues.

Queer Power Alliance Legislative Priorities 2024

  • Queer Power Alliance joined the fight for Seattle’s minimum wage, sick time, Hotel Workers Health and Safety Initiative, and secure scheduling ordinances. We collected postcards to be delivered to elected officials; provided educational events to our community; testified in front of Seattle’s city council; worked in coalition to pass legislation, and mobilized direct actions with partner organizations. It was important to us that the written policies included language that reflected our lives and met our economic needs. As LGBTQ people we’re uniquely impacted by labor laws, and we educated our mainstream community partners on why worker rights are queer rights.

  • We’re working with Stay Housed Stay Healthy to push for renter rights, like late fee caps, relocation assistance, and protections for people with disabilities

  • The Collaborative, made up of Queer Power Alliance and community partners Entre Hermanos and POCAAN, is building a sustainable network of LGBTQ+-led organizations and LGBTQIA+ community members that uses an equity -centered, collective impact framework to advance systems and policy changes. Our focus is towards housing, health, economic, gender, and racial equity for LGBTQIA+ communities in South King County, with a particular focus on those living in White Center, Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac, and Tukwila. We will use a collective impact framework that centers equity, and together we will support to:

    1. Identify collective priorities and establish a common agenda.

    2. Coordinate shared measurement of data.

    3. Establish mutually reinforcing activities to maximize results.

    4. Leverage community power to advance systems and policy changes toward housing, health, economic, and racial equity with and for LGBTQIA+ communities in South King County (SKC).