NAACP AOWSAC Launches 2026 LGBTQ+ Policy Agenda
jblackdesignThe NAACP Alaska–Oregon–Washington State Area Conference (AOWSAC) is proud to announce the formal release of the 2026 LGBTQ+ Policy Agenda. Led by the LGBTQ+ Committee, this comprehensive platform is deeply rooted in the lived experiences and ancestral wisdom of Black queer and trans communities across the Pacific Northwest. This agenda is a bold acknowledgement that systems built without our community continue to perpetuate harm, and it offers a strategic path forward grounded in dignity, safety, and self-determination.
Deaunte Damper, Chair of the LGBTQ+ Committee, describes the agenda not as a symbolic gesture, but as a direct call to action. “This platform advances policy solutions that demand intentional inclusion and long-term investment from institutions at every level,” Damper stated. The agenda highlights the criminal legal system as a site of racialized, gendered, and sexualized harm that disproportionately impacts Black queer people, creating lasting barriers to housing, employment, and stability.
Six Strategic Policy Focus Areas
The 2026 agenda is built upon six pillars designed to ensure Black queer individuals do not just survive, but thrive:
- Fair Housing: Ensuring access, stability, and robust anti-displacement measures.
- Public Health & Care: Championing health equity, environmental justice, and access to gender-affirming care.
- Equitable Representation: Demanding accurate representation of Black queer communities in both policy and data.
- Sustainable Funding: Securing retention and long-term funding for “by-and-for” community organizations.
- Safe Organizing Spaces: Creating resourced, community-centered spaces for Black queer advocacy.
- Reentry & Stability: Providing support, freedom from surveillance, and economic stability for formerly incarcerated individuals.
This movement is bolstered by a diverse coalition of endorsers, including the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Black Trans Advocacy & Legal Services, and East African Community Services, among many others. Together, we are building a future where justice is achieved by light, and every member of our community is protected and valued.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the primary goal of the 2026 LGBTQ+ Policy Agenda?
The goal is to advance policy solutions grounded in dignity and collective power that address the specific systemic harms faced by Black queer and trans communities.
2. Who developed this agenda?
The agenda was led by the NAACP AOWSAC LGBTQ+ Committee and informed by the lived experiences of community members across Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.
3. Why does the agenda focus on reentry support?
Because overpolicing and surveillance create significant barriers to housing and healthcare for formerly incarcerated Black queer individuals, reentry support must prioritize autonomy and pathways beyond punishment.
