LGBTQ+ Commission

Inaugural Queer Day at the Capitol: April 17, 2025 – click here for more information

2025 Legislative Tracking Report

Public Access Room
Learn how to submit testimony and the legislative process.

The Hawai‘i State LGBTQ+ Commission was established to improve the State’s interface with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community; identify the short-and long-range needs of its members; and ensure that there is an effective means of researching, planning, and advocating for the equity of this population in all aspects of state government. (HRS 369)

The Hawai‘i State LGBTQ+ Commission’s logo was designed by Gabrielle Huliganga and approved by the Commissioners on September 25, 2024. The foreground is the 8 main Hawaiian islands with the background of the logo being Gabrielle Huliganga’s interpretation of the Intersex Inclusive Progressive Pride Flag.

LGBTQ+ Commissioners and Members

Kathleen O’Dell, PhD (she/her) – Chair (C&C Honolulu)
Michael Golojuch, Jr. (he/him) – Vice Chair (C&C Honolulu)
Philip Steinbacher (he/him) –  Secretary (Kaua‘i County)
Shanda Brack(she/her) –  Finance Director (SGM Working Group)
Sandy Harjo-Livingston, PhD (he/him/they/them) – Member (C&C Honolulu)
Joe Tolbe (he/him) –  Member (Maui County)
Richard Velasquez (he/him) – Member (C&C Honolulu)
Joseph “Rocco” Vick –  Member (Hawai‘i County)

Hawai‘i LGBTQIA+ specific laws enacted since 2001

 

Community Resource Guide

(Will be updated when we receive new submissions)

Help ensure our community is connected across the state and we all have access to all available resources click here to submit your local Māhū, LGBTQIA+, QTPI+, MVPAFF+ resources. At this time we are not accepting retail or corporate businesses.

Other State resources for the Māhū, LGBTQIA+/MVPFAFF+ community

Dept. of Health’s Sexual Gender Minority Resource Hub – Click here

Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) – Website
HCRC enforces state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment (H.R.S. Chapter 378, Part I), housing (H.R.S. Chapter 515); public accommodations (H.R.S. Chapter 489), and access to state and state-funded services (H.R.S. section 368-1.5). The HCRC receives, investigates, conciliates, and adjudicates complaints of discrimination.

Note: Gender Identity and Expression; and Sexual Orientation are protected classes in the state of Hawai‘i with regards to the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes listed above.

Services that HCRC provides (video) select your language below:

Contact info – TEL: (808) 586-8636; Email: [email protected]
Growing Pono Schools

University of Hawai‘i
Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Equality UH State wide
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer+ Center at Mānoa (website under construction)

Social Media Platforms:
Facebook /hawaiistatelgbtqpluscommission
Instagram @hawaiistatelgbtqpluscommission
Threads @hawaiistatelgbtqpluscommission
YouTube: @HawaiiStateLGBTQPlusCommission

HI State LGBTQ+ Commission Social Media Comment Policy

All of the Hawai‘i State LGBTQ+ Commission’s policies.

Do you have any questions about the Hawai‘i State LGBTQ+ Commission?
Email the Chairperson: [email protected]

Commission Meetings
Hawai‘i State LGBTQ+ Commission monthly public meetings are normally held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 2:30 PM.  Meetings are currently being held in person and on Zoom.  Check the Hawai‘i State Public Meeting Calendar for more information and meeting updates. The meeting notifications with the agenda will be posted at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.

Click here to sign-up for the HI State LGBTQ+ Commission email list and to receive Commission’s meeting notifications. Click here for the Board Packet for the Commission’s next meeting.

2025 Meetings
January 13, 2025: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes
February 10, 2025: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes
March 10, 2025: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes

2024 Meetings
July 31, 2024: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes
August 12, 2024: Agenda, (No recording), Board Packet, Minutes
September 25, 2024: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes
October 14, 2024: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes
November 18, 2024: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes
December 16, 2024: Agenda, Recording, Board Packet, Minutes

Commission Reports to the Legislature

Inaugural Report: December 2024 LGBTQ+ Commission Annual Report Sec 369-5(8)

 

Pride Marches/Parades & Festivals
Kaua‘i County: Kaua‘i Pride on Saturday, June 7, 2025
C&C Honolulu: Honolulu Pride on TBD
Maui County: Maui Pride on TBD
Hawai‘i County: Hawai‘i Island Pride on TBD, & Kona Pride on TBD

Media and Press

Gender-affirming care bill clears Senate committees
February 13, 2025

Honolulu celebrates Pride Parade while marriage equality amendment is on the ballot | Hawai’i Public Radio
October 21, 2025

New LGBTQ+ Commission off to an active start
October 15, 2024

Issues Of Equality And Justice Are On Hawaii’s Ballot – Honolulu Civil Beat
October 15, 2024

Gov. Green creates state’s first LGBTQ+ advisory commission : Maui Now
October 13, 2024

Hawaii Governor David Ige signs pro-LGBTQ+ bills
June 20, 2022

Hawaii’s governor signs 3 bills supporting LGBTQ community
June 16, 2022

LGBTQIA+ Dates + History

Here are important dates for the LGBTQIA+ community. These mark historic dates for the queer community as well as days/weeks/months that raise awareness for the diverse & vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.

MARCH – BISEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
March 31 – Transgender Day of Visibility
April 22 – Day of Silence
April 21-27 – Lesbian Visibility Week
May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
May 19 – Agender Pride Day
May 22 – Harvey Milk Day
JUNE – PRIDE MONTH
June 5 – HIV Long-Term Survivor’s Awareness Day
June 12 – Pulse Day of Remembrance
June 28 – Stonewall Riots Anniversary
July 11 -17 – Non-Binary Awareness Week
July 16 – International Drag Day
September 16-22 – Bisexual Awareness Week
September 23 – Bisexual Visibility Day
OCTOBER – LGBT(QIA+) HISTORY MONTH
October 11 – National Coming Out Day
October 20 – International Pronoun Day
October 21 – Spirit Day
October 24 – Asexual Awareness Week
October 26 – Intersex Awareness Day
NOVEMBER – TRANS AWARENESS MONTH
November 8 – Intersex Day of Remembrance
November 13-19 – Trans Awareness Week