As we celebrate Pride Month, I want to honor the legacy of Cal Anderson, Washington’s first openly gay state legislator and a champion for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Cal’s courage and dedication paved the way for countless LGBTQIA+ Washingtonians. He was sworn in as a state legislator in November 1987 and fought to extend state civil rights law to include gay and lesbian communities in every single term he served. He also advocated for low-income housing and gun control and was a decorated veteran.
While Cal didn’t see civil rights protections for his community in his lifetime, the legislature did finally extend the law in 2006. Now, Washington has some of the strongest laws for LGBTQIA+ rights in the nation — and that’s in part thanks to Cal’s legacy.
Nearly 37 years after Cal was sworn into office, our state law now bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which has created protections in school, housing, the workplace, and more. Our progressive state leaders also moved to affirm trans rights in the wake of countless attacks on transgender youth across the country.
This month, let’s honor Cal’s contributions and continue his fight for equality and justice for all. Together, we can keep building an inclusive Washington, and if I’m elected as your next Attorney General, I’ll do everything I can to defend human rights with the full power of my office behind me.
Thank you!
— Nick
P.S. To learn more about Cal’s legacy, click here.
Nick Brown for Attorney General
401 2nd Ave S STE 303
Seattle, WA 98104
United States