Thanks to countless allies who said, ‘We do,’ Washington state can celebrate marriage equality

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

Articles by Debbie Carlsen

Gender-considerate language creates an inclusive and safe environment in restaurants

By Debbie Carlsen | April 18, 2018

Opinion

Using gender-considerate language in restaurants should be the norm in Seattle, especially on Capitol Hill. Gender-considerate language means using language that does not gender people, i.e., “How are y’all doing this evening?” or “How can I help the two of you this evening?.” Seattle strives to be a LGBTQI-friendly city, but continuing to misgender staff at work or customers while they dine is not friendly. Capitol Hill was once a thriving LGBTQI safe neighborhood. However, it has been carelessly gentrified, and there are few safe places for LGBTQI people to frequent on the Hill. ...

Bathrooms are already unsafe for transgender and gender nonconforming people. I-1515 will only make it worse

By Debbie Carlsen | June 22, 2016

I am a cisgender queer woman. Cisgender means your gender is consistent with the sex you were assigned at birth. I was assigned female at birth, and I identify as a woman. My partner identifies as transgender. He was assigned female at birth and lives a masculine gender on a daily basis. The simple act of walking down the street or going to the bathroom in public is a dangerous minefield for him. He is stared at, misgendered and has experienced harassment in public bathrooms. Now he avoids using public bathrooms for fear of being harassed or, worse, physically assaulted. ...