Late 1990’s-2021 Tacoma Transgender Support Group/TTSG & Gender Alliance of the South Sound/GASS
Starting as the Tacoma Transgender Support Group under the framework of Ingersoll Gender Center, TTSG began as a support group for trans and gender diverse individuals. In 2008 they officially became a 501c3 non-profit under the name Gender Alliance of the South Sound, expanding their service area and services.
In 2007 GASS founded Tacoma Trans Day of Remembrance’s location.
GASS was responsible for the 2008 Trans Day of Remembrance proclamation by the State of Washington.
In 2010 GASS created the T Town: Transgender Neighbors art exhibit that was on rotating exhibit for over 5 years.
GASS’s programming included the Transgender Speakers Bureau, and support groups, as well as, the Name Aid and Scholarship programs that continued into DAPS’ programming.
2021-2025 Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound/DAPS
DAPS tabled every summer starting in June and ending in September, crisscrossing the state in order to bring resources to the entire state of Washington.
DAPS held a strict COVID-19 protocol and was able to return to in-person groups due to this, holding multiple in-person and online groups per week, as well as, events.
In November of 2021 DAPS was able to partner with the Pacific Science Center to get the arches lit in trans colors, a tradition that has continued in March (Trans Day of Visibility 3/31) and November (11/20) since.
In November 2021 DAPS worked with the City of Tacoma CM Kristina Walker to raise and half mast the first trans flag on government property. This tradition has continued since.
In 2021 DAPS won the SGN Reader’s Choice Award for Best Charitable Organization in Seattle and Board Chair Oliver Webb won Best Organizer.
Since 2021 the City of Tacoma has officially proclaimed November 20th Trans Day of Remembrance.
Since 2024 the City of Tacoma has honored Trans Day of Remembrance with a proclamation.
Since 2022 TDOR Tacoma and Seattle have partnered with HRC Seattle, partnering with HRC National in 2023.
DAPS was exhibited in the 2022 Tacoma Historical Society Finding Home: LGBTQ+ Communities in Tacoma Exhibit.
Throughout the 4 years multiple DAPS Board and Voting members worked to pass legislature, this included SHB1961 which passed.
Over the past 4 years DAPS helped pay for name changes, gave educational grants, gave microgrants, ran an artist in residency program, paid for basic needs of clients with the, holiday meals, Out on the Town program, advocated for dozens of clients in court and through legal processes, ran over 1,000 support groups, served over 7,000 clients, ran at least 24 major in-person events, and co-hosted/sponsored 6 Prides.
2018-Current Securing Our Own People/SOOP
SOOP began in 2018 as a result of the ever-growing threat of MAGA.
SOOP was on site to assist during the counter protest against WOLF, a TERF group that was allowed to speak at SPL.
Pride events became a major focus when local Proud Boys began targeting them directly. SOOP has spent years creating trusted partnerships in order to call on other groups to assist when events come up including Red Union, JBGC, and various others.
SOOP is community based, assisting where needed; memorials, reproductive rights actions, BLM, and community walk throughs.
SOOP has been Trans Pride Seattle security and medical since 2021, including Operations Director, Security Lead, and Medical Lead. SOOP were presenting sponsors in 2024.
SOOP provided private security and medical for the Ties and Tiaras TPS Fundraiser.
The horrific Club Q shooting of 2022 found the need for safe spaces more than ever, TDOR Seattle went on as planned, secured as always by SOOP. Seattle 2018,2021-23 and Tacoma 21-23 secured by SOOP.
SOOP has worked with prides and other queer events for years in order to assist and educate in community-based security. These events include, but are not limited to;
Alki Beach Pride, Anacortes Pride, Duvall Pride Pallet, Rainbow Connections, Redmond Pride, Sno Valley Pride, Trans Pride Seattle, Woodinville Pride,
We also work with community members willing to create more inclusive, accessible, and safer for minorities.