Opportunity for civic-minded residents on King County Civil Rights Commission

Civil Rights Commission

Department of Executive Services

Office of Civil Rights

401 5^th Ave, Room 215

Seattle, WA  98104

206-296-8610     TTY 711

rights.commission@kingcounty.gov

http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/CRC.aspx

DATE:  February 14, 2012

CONTACT:  Paula Harris-White, 206-296-8610

Opportunity for civic-minded residents on

King County Civil Rights Commission

King County residents interested in public service and raising community awareness and involvement in civil rights issues are invited to apply for one of two positions on the King County Civil Rights Commission. If selected and confirmed by the King County Council, commissioners serve three-year terms.

 
The Civil Rights Commission advises the County Executive and County Council on matters related to the County’s civil rights programs and on human and civil rights issues. This includes reviewing and reporting on the effectiveness and progress of the county’s affirmative action, non-discrimination enforcement, and minority/women business utilization programs, as well as educating the community about preventing and eliminating discrimination. In addition, the Commission is working to educate the community about the county’s new Equity and Social Justice Ordinance.

The King County Civil Rights Commission is soliciting applications from individuals in the following County Council Districts:

2 – Council Chair Larry Gossett Phillips (the Central Area, Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, Seward Park, Skyway, University District, Fremont, Ravenna, and Laurelhurst.

There is also an At-large Commissioner position which is open to applicants from all nine Council Districts.

Commission members must reside within King County. If confirmed by the County Council, commissioners serve without pay.  Residents from diverse ethnic and protected group backgrounds, including people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  All Commission members are bound by the County Code of Ethics and are required to complete a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and by April 15 of each succeeding year of service

Potential candidates should have interests and experience related to the goals of the Commission, live in the appropriate County Council District, and be able to commit 8-10 hours monthly to Commission meetings and work projects.  This includes attending monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of each month from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., and participating in committee work, which can require additional meetings.

For more information on the Commission and its activities, please visit our webpage: www.kingcounty.gov/exec/CRC.aspx or contact Paula Harris-White, Administrator for Commission at 206-296-8610 or Paula.Harris-White@kingcounty.gov.

To locate your Council District, please visit: http://www5.kingcounty.gov/kcgisreports/KCClookup.aspx?ADDRESS= .

GSBA Mourns the Loss of a Dear Member

Don Moreland, left, with his partner Tad.

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I want to let you know that our dear member, friend and icon of social justice, Don Moreland, passed away Saturday, January 7th. There is no one who was kinder and always ready to lend a hand than Don. He was gentle in approach but steadfast in his commitment to making the world a better place for us all. His pride as a gay man, military veteran, grass roots organizer and staunch advocate for the LGBT, senior and aging communities was an inspiration to us all. At this time, there is no funeral or memorial scheduled but there may be a memorial planned somewhere down the road. 

We send our deepest sympathy to his dear partner Tad and other family members.

We all have many Don stories that I hope we will share with each other so that Don's legacy continues to inspire us to work for equality.

 Louise Chernin

GSBA President & CEO

Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Commission Statement on the Passing of Danny Vega

NEWS RELEASE

NOVEMBER 30, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Elliott Bronstein  (206) 684-4507

SUBJECT:  Statement on the Passing of Danny Vega

Statement on Danny Vega’s Passing

The Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Commission joins its voice to the profound sadness and shock felt by all of Seattle over the tragic and senseless death of Danny Vega. 

Danny Vega, a 58-year-old gay man, was a South Seattle hairdresser and prominent member of the City’s Filipino community.  He was well-known in Seattle’s LGBTQ community, including for his participation in the Miss FCS Gay and Miss Asian Gay pageants, and is warmly remembered for his affable nature and creativity. 

On the evening of November 15, 2011, Mr. Vega was brutally robbed and beaten by three teens in Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhood.  He was taken to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and passed away on November 27, surrounded by family and friends.  Reports have suggested that Mr. Vega may have been targeted due to his sexual orientation.  The Homicide and Assault Unit of the Seattle Police Department is actively investigating the crime and whether the attack was motivated by Mr. Vega’s sexual orientation, national origin, or other personal characteristics.

No person should ever fear for his or her safety in the City of Seattle, nor be put in danger because of his or her identity, sexual orientation or race.  Violence in any form, whatever the motivation, is anathema to the values we hold dear in Seattle.  Mr. Vega’s tragic death reminds us that the fears for personal safety felt by many, especially those in the LGBTQ community, are based in the ugly reality of prejudice and hatred.  We send our condolences to Mr. Vega’s family, friends, and community in this difficult time and will continue working with Mayor McGinn, the Seattle City Council, the Seattle Police Department, and members of the public to promote tolerance and compassion for all and to put a stop to hate crimes.

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights, the Seattle Human Rights Commission, the Seattle Women’s Commission, and SEqual, City of Seattle LGBTQ Employees for Equality, stand alongside the Seattle LGBT Commission in expressing sorrow over Mr. Vega’s tragic passing and in condemning this attack. 

We ask that anyone with information about Mr. Vega’s killers call police at (206) 233-5000 to assist with the investigation.  Anonymous calls are welcome.  Any new information could be vital.

The Seattle Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and departments about sexual minority issues, recommends policies and legislation, brings the LGBTQ communities and the larger Seattle community together through long-ranged projects, and ensures that City departments fairly and equitably address LGBTQ concerns as individuals and as a protected class.  For more information about the Commission, visit http://www.seattle.gov/LGBT.

David W. Howenstine Co-Chair, Seattle LGBT Commission	Mac McGregor Co-Chair, Seattle LGBT Commission
Julie Nelson Director, Seattle Office of Civil Rights	Christopher T. Stearns Chair, Seattle Human Rights Commission
Jamila Johnson Co-Chair, Seattle Women’s Commission	Amy Herndon Co-Chair, SEqual City of Seattle LGBTQ Employees for Equality
Christopher Peguero Co-Chair, SEqual City of Seattle LGBTQ Employees for Equality