Welcome to the QSA's Links page!

Non-UW Organizations that are working on our issues and/or provide support for our community

Please email the QSA if you know of an organization that should be listed on our site.

ACLU Washington

The Bill of Rights would only be well-meaning promises if people did not fight to protect it. The ACLU is the nation’s premiere organization dedicated to defending and expanding all civil liberties and civil rights in America. Our job is to conserve America's original civic values - the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Eternal Vigilance is the price of liberty

Since its founding in 1920, the ACLU has known that liberty must be defended over and over again. That's why ACLU attorneys stand before the Supreme Court more often than anyone else except the federal government itself. And for every case we bring before the Supreme Court, we bring hundreds more nationwide to lower courts and school boards.

The ACLU is an unwavering voice of liberty in courtrooms, legislatures and public squares, willing to take on clients, causes and cases that advance our basic rights, without regard to popular whim or the current political climate, and paying particular attention to the rights of those people who have historically been disenfranchised.

The Greater Seattle Business Association

To Combine business development, leadership and social action to expand economic opportunities for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community and those who support equality for all.

Equal Rights Washington

Equal Rights Washington (ERW) is a statewide political advocacy organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community of Washington State. ERW works to end discrimination against LGBT people throughout the state.

ERW’s sister organization, Equal Rights Washington Education Fund educates Washingtonians about issues of equality and helps coordinate the efforts of LGBT and allied organizations across the state.

The ERW political action committee (PAC) works to elect pro-equality senators and representatives to the state legislature.

Mission Statement:

Equal Rights Washington (ERW) works to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Washingtonians.

GLSEN: The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities.

GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any and all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools.

GLSEN Washington State Chapter

The local chapter of the national organization GLSEN.
GLSEN Washington State also runs the Washington State GSA Network (See below)

Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

HRC seeks to improve the lives of LGBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for LGBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other LGBT organizations.

Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Lambert House

Lambert House is a center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth that encourages empowerment through the development of leadership, social and life skills.

Lambert House is a safe place for queer youth ages 22 and under. Our calendar is packed with fun activities, support groups, planning meetings, dances, and other events. We are here to make life better for each other as GLBTQ youth.

The Pride Foundation

Mission

Pride Foundation connects, inspires and strengthens the Pacific Northwest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in pursuit of equality. We accomplish this in rural and urban areas by awarding grants and scholarships and cultivating leaders.

Vision

Pride Foundation envisions a world that honors diversity, fosters mutual respect, and celebrates complete equality.

Values
  • Listening - Everyone has a voice and it is listened to
  • Learning - Gaining new knowledge increases impact and spurs creativity
  • Connection - People make things happen through relationships
  • Collaboration - Working together gets things accomplished
  • Risk-taking - Reaching beyond what is certain can pay exponential rewards
  • Innovation - New ideas lead to growth and change
  • Activism - Grass-roots organizing and action is the way to change
  • Flexibility - Adaptability is key to success
  • Openness - Transparency comes from honesty and sincerity and leads to trust
  • Fun - Humor and good spirits provide sustenance for idealists
  • Diversity - Embracing and celebrating differences and working to end oppression creates strong communities
  • Equality - Complete equality brings freedom to all
  • Inclusiveness - Everyone is welcome to participate at any level
  • Leadership - We build leaders in our communities to drive change
  • Perseverance - Change can take time and is not necessarily linear

The Rainbow Center

The Rainbow Center's mission is to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender indentity by providing education, resources, information and opportunities for empowerment to individuals and organization with the south Puget Sound area. We find our activities falling into three general categories.

  • Educate- to provide information to all individuals and groups about the GLBTIQA community in an effort to eliminate harmful stereotypes
  • Advocate- to ensure that GLlBTIQA indivduals receive the same basic human rights as all other citizens of pierce County,the State of Washington and the United States.
  • Celebrate- to acknowledge pride in who we are as valuable creative members of a diverse population in this county, state, and country.

Safe Schools Coalition

The Safe Schools Coalition is an international public-private partnership in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, that is working to help schools - at home and all over the world - become safe places where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people.

- Sean Kennedy (April 8, 1987 - May 16,2007),
Victim of a Hate Crime on May 16, 2007
Sean's Last Wish Foundation

Sean's Last Wish Foundation

Sean's Last Wish Foundation wants to raise awareness to the fact that in the State of South Carolina, law enforcement officials do not have the tools in which to investigate crimes of violence and intimidation that are motivated by bias against actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity of the victim.

The Seattle LGBT Community Center

Mission: 

The Seattle LGBT Community Center mission is to provide opportunities and tools for LGBT individuals, organizations and communities that ensure their voices can be heard, included and affirmed; to be a place to engage, organize and effect change.

About the Center: 

The Seattle LGBT Center is the visible face of Queen City Community Development, the country’s only LGBT Community Development Corporation. The Center houses over 10 programs, projects, and services that reach out to the LGBTQ and allied communities. The Center utilizes hundreds of community volunteers each year. Incorporated in 1996 as a community-based, non-profit, 501(c)3 agency, The Center has more than 10 years of experience as a health and human services agency. In 2006 The Center provided direct services to more than 40,000 community members through its events, activities and advocacy, and touched the lives of thousands more.

Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

- Yoda,
Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Tacoma's Lesbian Concern

Tacoma Lesbian Concern (TLC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which has been in existence since the 1970's. We are a group of South Puget Sound lesbian women organized for a threefold purpose: 1) to provide opportunities for socializing, 2) to arrange supportive networking, and 3) to furnish political education and awareness. To meet these goals we schedule, support and attend a wide variety of activities, work with other groups for common goals, and have a great time doing it!

Washington State GSA Network
(a GLSEN Washington State program)

The Washington State Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth-led organization created to help connect public and private GSA-based clubs and other community groups throughout Washington State. Students will develop leadership skills and help to build peer support through programs, workshops and trainings.

The students involved with the Network will educate the community, teachers and fellow students about bullying, harassment and homophobia that LGBTQ youth face. Advisors will help connect their clubs with each other to learn what is being done within the Network to make the Network stronger and become more successful.