I hope you’re enjoying the sunny weather, and thank you for being part of No Hate in Washington State! Please read on for campaign updates and ways to support.
Campaign Updates
–UTOPIA Washington has officially joined the NHWS Executive Committee! Our executive committee now includes UTOPIA, GSBA, Gender Justice League, Pro Choice Washington, the Washington Education Association, and SEIU 775.
–We now have 126+ endorsing organizations and nearly 30 elected officials who’ve endorsed! Thank you for endorsing and spreading the word to make this growing coalition possible. A few of our recent endorsers include: King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, Puyallup School Board Director Melissa Bedford, along with the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council, AFT Washington, Washington Conservation Action, League of Women Voters, and WA Immigrant Solidarity Network.
-No Kings 3 was a huge success! Libby, along with our Olympia-based Field Organizer Monica spoke at the Tacoma and Olympia rallies respectively, along with myself and a number of our other volunteers tabling in Seattle, Vancouver, and Bellingham. NWHS received hundreds of campaign sign ups from this single day of action, but we still have a lot of work to do in ensuring that our communities are aware of these two dangerous initiatives.
-During yesterday’s coalition meeting, breakout rooms were held on three topics: communications, field, and endorsements. These rooms provided a smaller setting for coalition members to share any ideas of feedback on one of the three topics they were interested in – thank you to those who participated! If you missed yesterday’s meeting, or have any additional feedback to share, please reply to this email, or send me an email separately.
-We’re launching a beta version of the No Hate Hub, a centralized dashboard with the latest campaign resources to help you fight back across WA. Please contact Danni (danni@genderjusticeleague.org) for instructions on accessing the dashboard.
–Revised campaign messaging! After a significant amount of community feedback across the state on our messaging for both initiatives, we’ve revised the language to be clearer, more concise, and better communicate the dangerous impacts of both initiatives. Updated campaign materials, like our one pager, are coming soon.
-Subcommittees are coming back and will play a vital role in shaping this campaign! Please fill out this form if you’re interested in joining. A little bit of time and energy can go a long way in defeating these initiatives.
Calls to Action
-Check out and take advantage of our multiple fundraising toolkits! Defeating these initiatives against a mega millionaire-backed campaign won’t be easy and requires resources. You can help us overcome our biggest challenge by cohosting a fundraiser and using both our houseparty toolkit and digital fundraising toolkit to help you get started. Please email Libby (libby@nohateinwastate.org) and Michaela (michaela@alkiconsulting.com) to talk next steps on fundraising.
–Write a letter to the editor! Talking points, templates, and publications that accept LTEs are all conveniently located on our website page. More letters to the editor from our supporters help balance out the media coverage that has disproportionately covered our opposition’s talking points. Here’s a great example from the Cascadia Daily News!
Coming Up
-Leadership Labs throughout the state are approaching quickly, with events on April 14th, April 30th, and May 14th. These sessions provide donors who have questions, or need more information before giving, the opportunity to learn in detail about the two dangerous initiatives and the work our campaign is doing to fight back. If you’re interested in attending, or know someone who may be, please contact Danni (danni@genderjusticeleague.org) or Sept (sept@genderjusticeleague.org) for additional information.
-If you’re in the Seattle area, we have an awesome event on April 19th hosted by the Queer Agenda PAC featuring local drag performers Harper Bizarre and Miss Texas. Learn more and RSVP here!
-We’ve partnered with the crew behind the documentary “Heightened Scrutiny,” with screenings planned at independent theaters in Bellingham, Tacoma, Seattle, and Olympia. The film follows ACLU National’s Chase Strangio as he prepares to argue before the Supreme Court concerning the case United States v. Skrmetti. These local screenings will not only serve as general public education on the attacks against trans people across the country, but will serve as base building opportunities as well. Please contact Michaela (michaela@alkiconsulting.com) for details.
-Pride Month is around the corner! NHWS wants to have a presence at as many events as possible through WA – please flag any upcoming events to me by either replying to this email, or sending me an email separately.
-Our general election campaign launch is coming soon! We are now actively planning the event, including having a number of high-profile speakers in attendance. Details on how to get involved are will be shared soon.
Opposition updates
–Brian Heywood amplified a post on X containing particular hateful, conspiratorial anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
–Heywood has given more than $3 million to The Center Square, which masquerades as a nonpartisan news source and has been pumping out stories in support of I26-638 and 001. He’s also already given almost $200,000 to Let’s Go Washington just in 2026.
I hope those updates light a fire under you like they do for me. With your help, we can say NO to bullying, harassment, and hate in Washington State.
In solidarity,
Milena Sherman (she/her), Organizing Manager
No Hate in WA State
NO HATE in WA State is a campaign of Washington parents, medical professionals, teachers, students, and community members standing against ballot measures IL26-001 and IL26-638 that would endanger Washington students and hurt our schools.
Reject the hate, bullying, and harassment of our students. Join us today.
NO HATE in WA State
PO Box 21961
Seattle, WA 98111
United States