February 11, 2020

Karen Fredriksen Goldsen, School of Social Work professor and director of the UW’s Healthy Generations Hartford Center of Excellence, was recently appointed to serve on Washington’s newly created LGBTQ Commission by Governor Jay Inslee.

The commission is tasked with identifying the needs of the LGBTQ community and advocating for equity and inclusion in Washington state government. Its 15 members were chosen for their diversity and breadth of experience on issues that affect LGBTQ Washingtonians from every background. 

“It is incredibly important to have a commission focused on the needs of the LGBTQ community in our state," said Inslee. "The commission will be a valuable resource to all Washingtonians and provide recommendations and advice to my office, the legislature and state agencies on issues important to all LGBTQ people."

Fredriksen Goldsen has devoted much of her career to researching the health and well-being of historically disadvantaged communities, leading many landmark studies. In the first national longitudinal study focused on aging LGBTQ individuals, she brought to light significant health disparities, including how social isolation among aging LGBTQ adults is a critical public health issue. 

Another of her projects targeted LGBTQ older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers and was the first federally funded study to develop and test interventions for this community. Fredriksen Goldsen has written more than 100 articles and three books, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Appointees to the LGBTQ Commission represent all geographic regions of the state. The individuals were chosen by the governor with input from the state House and Senate as well as community stakeholders, and will serve three-year staggered terms. J. Manny Santiago, executive director of the Rainbow Center in Tacoma, is the commission’s executive director.