06/16/2026
Members,
Recently, a member of our Bar Association placed a basket of pins in the lawyers’ lounge at the courthouse for anyone who wanted to show that they supported and welcomed LGBTQ+ members of our legal community and our broader community. The pins were offered on a voluntary basis. No one was required to take one, but you could if you wanted.
Unfortunately, not everyone was as considerate or welcoming as the member who shared these pins. The Board of Trustees have learned that the pins have been vandalized or destroyed on three separate occasions in just the last few weeks – all during Pride month and at a time with our LGBTQ+ siblings are under escalating violence and plummeting support.
The TPCBA Board of Trustees wants to be clear: this anti-LGBTQ behavior is unacceptable, alarming, and unfairly targets members of our Bar Association and their clients. Anti-LGBTQ+ acts like this are against everything TPCBA stands for and do not represent the TPCBA. In 2025, our Board of Trustees issued a Unity Letter proclaiming, “We believe every individual—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or immigration status—has a place in our legal system and bar association.” BoardUnityLetter. Anti-LGBTQ conduct has no place in our courthouse, our profession, or our community.
So how do we respond? First, we listen. We will continue to consult with QLAW and other community partners so that our response is thoughtful, informed, and guided by those with lived experience. Second, we name the problem clearly: anti-LGTBQ bias and hostility still exist in our community, and addressing them requires ongoing education, courage, and accountability from all of us. Third, we act. Creating a more welcoming legal community depends on what each of us chooses to do next.
Our call to action:
• Get Educated. Tacoma has some of the richest LGBTQ+ History on Earth. Ga***rd v. Tacoma School District No. 10, the fight for non-discrimination ordinances, the fight for Marriage Equality, and the fight to protect transgender kids and adults all have deep roots in our community. If you don’t know about those roots, make it a point to learn about them. In the coming weeks, we will announce a public panel and CLE to educate our members about the rich LGBTQ History of our community.
• Be a Proud and Visible Supporter. The pins in the lawyers’ lounge aren’t going away. We encourage everyone to take a pin, wear it proudly, and don’t be shy about sharing and asking pronouns. Curious about why people do that? Here is an article to explain why it matters: https://www.hrc.org/resources/why-we-ask-each-other-our-pronouns.
• Pay Attention. Crimes and threats against LGBTQ+ people are underreported by the media and often overlooked. Publications like the Advocate and organizations like GLAAD help inform people about what is happening in the LGBTQ+ community throughout the U.S. and around the world.
• Donate and Volunteer. LGBTQ+ Organizations need money and volunteers now more than ever. And there is no better way to understand a community than by offering to help. If you have trouble finding an organization to volunteer with, contact the TPCBA QLAW liaison at [email protected].
Nina Caldwell, TPCBA President
On behalf of the TPCBA Board
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