The NW Washington Synod has a long history of supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. In 1992, Rev. Lowell Knutson, while Bishop founded Open Door Ministries in response to a need he saw in the church to fulfill its roll to be inclusive and welcoming to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and the churches they are served by. Open Door Ministries ceased operation as a separate ministry in December 2021 and indicated they are looking forward to what God has in store for this ministry in the future and the commitment that the Synod has for the LGBTQIA+ peoples. The following LGBTQIA+ resources are shared in the hope they will help answer questions and address issues raised. 

The NW WA Synod is a Reconciling in Christ synod. Learn more about Reconciling in Christ.

COUNSELING SERVICES

  • Seattle Children’s Gender Clinic – This clinic cares for children, adolescents and young adults whose gender identity is different from their sex at birth or who do not identify with the traditional definitions of male or female. Phone: (206) 987-2028.
  • The Trevor Project – A leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. The site is a robust resource center for issues of mental health, sexual orientation, gender identity, talking about suicide, and community. Phone: 1-866-488-7386

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

  • PRIDE – the Synod takes part in the annual PRIDE parade in Seattle. In the months leading up to the parade the synod will send out information to churches on how to participate.
  • Lifelong – Northwest AIDS Foundation, Chicken Soup Brigade, and Evergreen Wellness Advocates, combined to become Lifelong. Their wraparound care model supports the whole person by breaking down barriers and improving access to nutritious food, stable housing, and vital health resources for  people living with diabetes, HIV, kidney disease, and other life-challenging illnesses. This community support network fills the gaps in broken systems and ensures that everyone has an equitable opportunity to thrive. Phone: (206) 957-1600 or toll-free at 1-877-297-0576
  • PFLAG – Founded in 1972, PFLAG National is committed to advancing support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) people through support, education, and advocacy. Their memberships consist of families, friends and allies of LGBTQ people, as well as LGBTQ people themselves. Chapters can be found in Seattle, Everett, Bellevue/Eastside, Bellingham/Whatcom County, Skagit, and Whidbey Island.
  • LGBT Near Me is a program of the LGBT National Help Center (founded in 1996) that provides vital peer support, community connections, and resource information. We are the oldest and most comprehensive national organization of its type and scope in the United States, providing critically needed services regardless of age, race or geographic location through our national hotlines and online programs. We help youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems, and a lot more. The people who turn to us for help often live in rural and conservative parts of the country and are frequently feeling severely isolated, closeted and despairing, with literally no one else safe to talk to, where community connections are so important.

YOUTH RESOURCES

Snohomish Co.
  • GLOBE Youth - GLOBE empowers youth to make healthy decisions by enhancing their knowledge, self-esteem & pride. Bisexual. GLOBE is a group filled with people excited to provide a place where you will fit in. Transgender. GLOBE is a welcoming, diverse, and open-minded place; accepting GLBTQ youth. GLOBE is one of the sponsors for Links and Alliances, an annual conference for youth, parents, educators, and community providers. It addresses the needs of GLBTQ youth. Phone: (425) 280-2508 ·      
  • COCOON House Everett - Cocoon House is an inclusive organization that provides a safe and affirming place that respects gender identity, sexual orientation, and preferred name and pronouns. Staff honor each person coming into our programs. At this time, approximately 30% of the young people served by Cocoon House identify as LGBTQ+, and we welcome you to seek services you need to get your basic needs met, find housing, and gain the support you need to reach your goals. Cocoon House has dedicated staff who can help you, or if you want to work with our specific LGBTQ+ advocate call (425) 359-3318.
King Co.      
  • Lambert House - Lambert House delivers programs, services, and global advocacy for LGBTQ youth that span eight categories: 1) Social Connection, Peer Support, Resilience, and Self-Esteem Building; 2) Family Success, Bullying Resistance and School Retention; 3) Mentoring; 4) Homeless Services including Meals, Clothing, Personal Hygiene Items, and Referrals; 5) HIV and STI prevention and Healthy Relationships Education; 6) Culture, Sports, and Outdoor Recreation; 7) Workplace Skills Development, Youth Leadership, and Academic Internships, and; 8) Systems Change through Training for Licensed Professionals and Governmental and NGO Leaders from around the world. Phone: (206) 322-2515     
  • YouthCare – In Seattle, YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential. Phone: (206) 694-4500, Email: info@youthcare.org, For Immediate Help: 1-800-495-7802
Whatcom and Skagit Co.
Island Co.

AGING ADULT RESOURCES

  • GenPride - This is a place to find the latest updates and information on the new LGBTQ+ Affirming 55+ Senior Housing building and GenPride Center, right in the heart of Capitol Hill in Seattle. Phone: (206) 393-3400, Email: info@genprideseattle.org

GENERAL RESOURCES

Important Holidays and Remembrances – Seattle PRIDE provides a wealth of information and has an extensive list by month of important holidays and days of remembrance.

Safe Schools Coalition – Located in WA, is a public-private partnership, in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, queer and questioning youth, working to help schools become safe places where every can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Phone: 1-877-723-3723, to receive a call back within 24 hours.

GLADD – Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation - As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.        

Pronouns – Pronoun information is provided by LGBT Life Center, a trusted leader in Virginia that empowers the LGBTQ communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities, and providing transformative education and advocacy.

WA LGBTQ Commission – The Washington State LGBTQ Commission works to improve the state’s interface with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, and intersex community, identity the needs of its members, and ensuring that there is an effective means of advocating for LGBTQ equity in all aspects of state government.