UTOPIA Washington recently proposed a resolution to the City of Kent that would ensure the safety and well-being of LGBTQIA+ residents, communities, and organizations during a time of increasing threats and violence. The grassroots Queer and Trans Pacific Islander organization's employees advocated for the resolution at the March 18 city council meeting, but there has yet been no response from the mayor, and there has been no such proposal from the city council.

"This resolution affirms existing state law protections and seeks to ensure that no city resources are used to discriminate against the LGBTQIA+ community due to federal executive orders. While we remain hopeful that the city will adopt this resolution, we recognize that more advocacy is needed," Adrianna Suluai, policy director at UTOPIA, told the SGN.

Suluai, one of the employees who spoke at the meeting, noted how she has worked with families who were struggling to access vital resources, and has listened to youth who feel unheard.

"Each week the Queer and Trans community face national policies that target [our] livelihood," Suluai said at the meeting. "We cannot afford to wait."

Suluai noted how Washington is ahead of many states when it comes to LGBTQIA+ protections, and that it is important to continue to build on that narrative and for the City of Kent to highlight that it stands with Queer and Transgender communities. She added that stalling on such a resolution prolongs toxic narratives that target marginalized communities in the diverse city.

Amasai Jeke, UTOPIA's SPEaC Change program coordinator, called on councilmembers to fully support the resolution.

"This is about survival," Jeke said at the March 18 meeting. "Let's be clear that the reality for LGBTQIA people is dangerous. Hate is no longer whispered — it is written into laws, preached [by] institutions, and acts on our neighborhoods."

Jeke noted how a Transgender woman was attacked in Kent the previous week because she was living her true self, which is something Jeke said happens when leadership remains silent. (The SGN reached out to Kent Police about this but did not receive a response.)

"If Kent is truly a home for all, then its leaders must stand with us," Jeke said. Suluai told the SGN that community support is crucial to this effort, and she encouraged residents, organizations, and allies to attend city council meetings, which take place on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, to publicly support this effort.

"While we've received some positive feedback, it's clear that additional pressure is necessary from the entire community. A strong, unified presence will show city leaders that Kent must stand firmly in support of its LGBTQIA+ community," Suluai said.

The SGN reached out to Mayor Dana Ralph but did not yet receive a response.