LGBTQ+ Business Advocacy
Driving Change Together
The GSBA Advocacy Team champions equity and inclusion for Washington's LGBTQ+ and allied business communities. Together, we advocate for policies and programs that empower businesses, protect civil rights, and celebrate diversity.
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2025 Legislative Agenda
Advocacy
GSBA advocates for policies to benefit our members and community at city, regional, state, and federal levels. We represent the voice of our members before elected officials, and bring elected officials directly to our members. GBSA often works in coalition with a wide array of community partners to advance the views of our members, the LGBTQ+ community, and small businesses.
While we are actively involved in issue campaigns and policy change, GSBA is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates for office.
Meet The Team Behind Scenes
Jean M. Leonard, JD
Jean grew up in a large family in south Seattle, and was inspired by her amazing family, including her state legislator Mom, to follow a career in public policy. After graduating cum laude from the University of Puget Sound Law School, she had a short stint at a Seattle law firm before establishing her own lobbying firm in Olympia. With over 30 years of experience, Jean has represented businesses and associations ranging from insurance and technology to space exploration, telecommunications, arts, and wine. She enjoys spending time outdoors and at home with her husband, son, and cat -tending to her yard and gardens and overseeing an oyster and clam farm, even though she hates oysters and clams.
Kathryn Kolan, JD
Katie brings over 15 years of experience working with the legislative and executive branches and the campaign world. An attorney by training, she has worked with professional associations as the Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the Washington State Medical Association, and has experience in legislative strategy, coalition building, healthcare policy, tech and business policy, and other fun stuff. She lives in the South Puget Sound and likes to ride her bike in her free time.
Annie McGrath
Annie McGrath brings two decades of experience in government affairs, specializing in business advocacy, trade association leadership, and legislative strategy. Annie has led local and statewide associations, as the CEO at the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Director at the Washington Brewers Guild, where she worked with policymakers at the local and state level to champion efforts supporting businesses, driving economic growth, and reducing regulatory burdens. Outside of work, Annie loves spending time outdoors, traveling with her husband and teens, and relaxing at home with her pug.
Introducing the 2025 Legislative Agenda
Every year GSBA’s Policy Committee creates the Legislative Agenda to keep members informed about the big issues and how GSBA will plan to act on them. You can read it but clicking the image above or by downloading the PDF here.
Guiding Principles
As a chamber of commerce by and for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, the policy work of GSBA is centered around two main areas: Civil Rights and Economic Prosperity.
GSBA’s top priorities will always be the areas where LGBTQ+ civil rights and economic development intersect, where our expertise is the strongest. Due to the diverse needs of a broad membership organization and participation in a variety of coalitions, many other related issues will arise. GSBA’s first priority will always be those issues with a particular impact on the LGBTQ+ community, and will next prioritize based on where our voice is unique, our expertise is relevant, or our affinity is particularly strong. GSBA often works in coalition with allied organizations and communities, and will frequently sign on in support of their efforts where others are leading the policy fight.
Proud of our role as a convener and as a nonpartisan constructive voice, GSBA will strive to be present at any negotiating table that our capacity allows. GSBA’s goals always include the creation of good policy over politics.
GSBA’s advocacy work as the progressive business voice in Washington is guided by the following principles:
- Advance economic and educational equity, access, and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community and all historically disenfranchised communities
- Center racial equity in our decision making, with a focus on LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; and equity for the trans and nonbinary communities.
- Expand, protect, and promote equality, equity, and civil rights for all.
- Promote the vitality and development of small businesses
- Foster active and informed civic engagement
Advocacy Resources
My Vote
Find our who are your elected officials and register to vote or update your registration at MyVote from the Washington Secretary of State’s office.
Reach Out To GSBA
Have a question or an issue or just need clarification on GSBA’s Advocacy Work? You can email [email protected] and he’ll help you ASAP.
Video Webinars
Visit our Webinar Library to watch recordings of former GSBA advocacy events, including legislative recaps, interviews with elected officials and candidates, and issue presentations.