Equal Rights Washington

Equal Rights Washington (ERW) is Washington's statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy and community outreach organization based in Seattle, WA. Operating through a strategic multi-entity structure, ERW delivers comprehensive advocacy services across political engagement, public education, and candidate support. The organization functions through three distinct divisions: Equal Rights Washington, a 501(c)(4) organization focused on political advocacy; ERW Education + Engagement, a 501(c)(3) organization specializing in public education regarding LGBTQ issues; and ERW Political Action, a registered political action committee dedicated to supporting equality-minded candidates for elected office throughout Washington state. Each subsidiary organization maintains independent boards of directors, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations while maximizing impact across multiple advocacy channels. Since its founding in 2004, ERW has demonstrated expertise in legislative advocacy, having played a crucial role in securing passage of Washington House Bill 2661, the Anderson-Murray Anti-Discrimination law, which had been introduced unsuccessfully for 28 years prior. The organization has successfully led major campaigns including the establishment of domestic partnership rights in 2007 and the landmark achievement of marriage equality through Washington Senate Bill 6239. ERW's sophisticated approach to advocacy combines direct legislative work, public education initiatives, and strategic political engagement to advance LGBTQ rights and equality throughout Washington state.