Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council designated March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, urging residents to respect and honor the right of transgender and gender diverse community members to live openly and to work to end violence, harassment and discrimination.
The proclamation, signed by Mayor Dontae Payne on Tuesday, March 24, acknowledged “that work still needs to be done to address anti-transgender violence, particularly at this time when transgender rights and existence are being threatened.”
Aster Avardean, co-founder of the OlympiaQueerFyrd, and local advocate Sam Kellendy called for concrete protections and community solidarity.
Avardean said while the city is seen as a safe haven, “it doesn’t have a solid foundation (of support) … and has a lot of issues and cracks.”
Avardean also described a fractured and shaky coalition within the broader community, saying external pressures, like an influx of transgender individuals who are seeking safety, as well as policies in other states that restrict identity recognition, are straining local systems.
“The only way to work out of that is to come together and have all facets of our community work — whether that be the clergy, city hall members, trans community members, colleges, and what have you. It takes a lot of work and a lot of leadership,” Avardean said.
Kellendy urged the council and public to confront the lived experiences of transgender people.
“To be truly visible, we need to be seen as whole people bearing our scars and our tattoos in the sun," Kellendy said.
Kellendy cited national violence statistics and rises in suicide attempts among transgender youths, demanding that neighbors and officials move beyond symbolic support.
“What have you actually done to acknowledge our suffering? What actions have you taken to protect us?” Kellendy asked.
Council members acknowledged the gap between symbolic support and lived experience.
Council member Robert Vanderpool described the issue as an ongoing challenge requiring continued collaboration.
Council member Clark Gilman encouraged the advocates to continue engaging with the community.
“Keep challenging us, keep coming through the door, keep showing up to demand a spot and a voice here. It's difficult to hear that what we've done isn't enough, and that you still don't feel safe," Gilman said.
Payne said the proclamation was necessary in the face of national hostility.
“There are people who are actively, on a daily basis, trying to erase you," Payne said.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
GrandyMarty
...and if you're a trans man, you will be erased by JOLT news.
Monday, March 30 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
I believe folks should be with who they want. I just do not want to be insulted because I am straight.
I have friends who are gay, lesbian and transgender. All of them have told me they had problems with the "other" ***. So they all chose to be different.
It is OK, but I try not to advertise my sexual preferences and really do not like others making a huge deal out of it.
Monday, March 30 Report this
JulesJames
"Erasure" is a very real fear for the transgender crowd. No projeny = erased from the human gene pool and family memory within a generation.
Monday, March 30 Report this
chrispc2u
@ JulesJames: Didn’t they know that going in? I think they realize that having same *** organs doesn’t allow them to reproduce. How/why is this supposed to invoke sympathy or afford them special treatment or consideration? Filed that point under Darwinism…
Frankly I’m fatigued with only 0.8% of adults and 3.3% of youth aged 13–17 out the entire US population feeling the need to stick in our face because they think they should be considered mainstream. They’re not, hence the term “*****”. It’s how the Democrats lost the last elections. Trying to make this lifestyle choice normalized to everyone when they clearly are not. And for Pete’s sake, use your birth gender appropriate bathroom. It’s not about making your queerness more normal for yourself, it’s about making others less uncomfortable because they simply can’t relate and don’t want to even try.
Monday, March 30 Report this
jturlove
Thank you City of Olympia for showing support for our trans friends and neighbors in our community!
Monday, March 30 Report this
HappyOlympian
No place in America more liberal or tolerant than Olympia, yet so many feel the need to be a victim.
Tuesday, March 31 Report this