Washington

	Washington
	;
	Flag of Washington State
	Admittance Order: 42nd
	Admitted to US: November 11, 1889 (136 years ago)
	Governor: Bob Ferguson (D)
	Lt. Governor: Denny Heck (D)
	Senators: Patty Murray (D); Maria Cantwell (D)
	Representatives: 8 Democrats; 2 Republicans
	Official State website
	Capital: Olympia
	Largest city: Seattle
	Resource Guide: RL-WA

	This article contains information that may change due to political elections and evolving sexual norms. {This article last updated:05/14/2025)

Washington, officially known as the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. Named in honor of George Washington (the first U.S. president), the state was formed from the western portion of the Washington Territory, which was ceded by the British Empire in 1846 through the Oregon Treaty to settle the Oregon boundary dispute. The state is bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean, with Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east, and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north. It was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in 1889. Olympia serves as the state capital, and the largest city is Seattle. Washington is often referred to as Washington state to differentiate it from the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Washington is the 18th-largest state, with an area of 71,362 square miles (184,830 km2), and the 13th-most populous state, with more than 7.7 million people. Most of Washington's residents live in the Seattle metropolitan area, the center of transportation, business, and industry on Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean consisting of numerous islands, deep fjords, and bays carved out by glaciers. The remainder of the state consists of deep temperate rainforests in the west, mountain ranges in the west, central, northeast, and far southeast, and a semi-arid basin region in the east, central, and south, given over to intensive agriculture. Washington is the second most populous state on the West Coast and in the Western United States, after California. Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano, is the state's highest elevation at 14,411 feet (4,392 meters) and is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous U.S.

Washington is a leading lumber producer, with its rugged surface rich in stands of Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa pine, white pine, spruce, larch, and cedar. The state is the largest producer of apples, hops, pears, blueberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries in the U.S., and it ranks high in the production of apricots, asparagus, dry edible peas, grapes, lentils, peppermint oil, and potatoes. Livestock, livestock products, and commercial fishing—particularly of salmon, halibut, and bottom fish—are also significant contributors to the state's economy. Washington ranks second only to California in wine production.

Manufacturing industries in Washington include aircraft, missiles, shipbuilding, and other transportation equipment, as well as food processing, metals, metal products, chemicals, and machinery. Additionally, Washington has more than a thousand dams, including the Grand Coulee Dam, which was built for various purposes such as irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, and water storage.

Washington is one of the wealthiest as well as most socially liberal states in the country. The state consistently ranks among the best for life expectancy and low unemployment. Along with Colorado, Washington was one of the first to legalize medicinal and recreational cannabis, was among the first states to legalize same-sex marriage in 2012, and was one of only four U.S. states to have been providing legal abortions on request before the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade loosened abortion laws nationwide. Similarly, Washington voters approved a 2008 referendum on the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, and Washington is currently one of ten states—along with Washington, D.C.—to have legalized the practice.

Etymology

Washington was named after President George Washington by an act of the United States Congress during the creation of Washington Territory in 1853. The territory was initially to be named "Columbia," after the Columbia River and the Columbia District. However, Kentucky representative Richard H. Stanton found the name too similar to the District of Columbia (the national capital, which contains the city of Washington) and proposed naming the new territory after President Washington. Washington is the only U.S. state named in honor of a president.

Confusion over the state of Washington and the city of Washington, D.C., led to renaming proposals during the statehood process for Washington in 1889, including David Dudley Field II's suggestion to name the new state "Tacoma." These proposals failed to garner support. Washington, D.C.'s own statehood movement in the 21st century has included a proposal to use the name "State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth," which would conflict with the current state of Washington. Residents of Washington, known as "Washingtonians," and those in the Pacific Northwest refer to the state simply as "Washington," and the nation's capital as "Washington, D.C.," "the other Washington," or simply "D.C."

Sexual Orientation in Washington

Washington State is known as one of the most LGBTQ+-inclusive states in the U.S., providing extensive legal protections and cultivating a welcoming environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Legal Protections and Milestones

Same-Sex Marriage: Legal since 2012, following voter approval of Referendum 74.
Anti-Discrimination Laws: Since 2006, Washington's Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) has prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Conversion Therapy Ban: In 2018, Washington enacted a law banning licensed healthcare providers from performing conversion therapy on minors. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to this law in 2023, allowing it to remain in effect.
Transgender Rights: Transgender individuals are protected under WLAD, which includes the right to use restrooms and facilities that align with their gender identity.

ACLU of Washington

Education: Washington law mandates that schools provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for students, protecting against discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Adoption and Parenting: Same-sex couples are permitted to adopt, and state law recognizes various family structures, including those formed through surrogacy and assisted reproduction.

Wikipedia

Hate Crime Protections: Washington criminalizes offenses motivated by the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity, enhancing penalties for such crimes.
Ban on "Panic" Defense: In 2020, Washington abolished the use of the "gay and/or trans panic defense" in legal proceedings, preventing defendants from justifying violent crimes based on a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Community and Advocacy

Washington State LGBTQ Commission: Established in 2019, this commission collaborates with state agencies to create and implement policies that address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Seattle's LGBTQ+ Community: Seattle has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, ranking as the fifth largest in the U.S., and provides numerous resources, events, and support networks.

Summary

Washington State provides strong legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, covering areas such as marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, and transgender rights. The state's proactive initiatives, including the formation of dedicated commissions and the adoption of inclusive legislation, reflect its commitment to fostering an environment of equality and respect for all residents.

History of the Washington State Flag

The Washington State Flag features a dark green background with the Washington state seal prominently emblazoned in the center. The state seal of Washington consists of a blue circle with the image of George Washington (after whom the state is named) inside. A second circle of gold encircles the first and contains black text that reads, "The Seal of the State of Washington 1889." The Washington State Flag is unique as it is the only state flag that uses the color green and the only state flag that displays an image of a former President. The green color on the flag represents the lush fields of Western Washington, while the gold symbolizes the wheat fields of Eastern Washington. The current design of the Washington state flag was adopted on March 5, 1923.

Washington State is located in the Northwestern region of the United States and is one of the wealthiest states. It shares borders with British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, and the Pacific Ocean. The capital of Washington is Olympia, and the largest city is Seattle. Washington is named after the first president of the United States, George Washington. The state was originally going to be called "Columbia" after the Columbia River and Columbia District; however, it was determined that the name was too similar to the District of Columbia, so the state was instead named after the former president. Washington is nicknamed "The Evergreen State" due to the large number of forests that the state is home to; approximately half of Washington is covered by forests. Washington is also sometimes referred to as "The Chinook State" or "The Green Tree State."

Washington was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Yakima, Chinook, Makah, Lummi, Nez Perce, and Spokane tribes. The first European to arrive in the area was the Spanish explorer Captain Bruno Heceta, who claimed the land for Spain. Other European explorers followed shortly after, including James Cook in 1778 and George Vancouver in 1792. George Vancouver discovered the Puget Sound Region and claimed that area for Britain. In 1805, American explorers Lewis and Clark arrived in the region, and during the first half of the 1800s, Washington was shared between Britain and America as part of a "joint occupancy" agreement.

In 1846, the United States of America gained control of Washington, incorporating it into the Oregon Territory along with Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. In 1853, the residents of the northern part of the Oregon Territory sought to establish their own territory, and their request was approved by the US government, leading to the formation of the state of Washington. Originally, Washington extended further east until 1863, when Idaho was created, delineating the current shape of Washington State that we recognize today. Washington achieved statehood on November 11, 1889, becoming the 42nd state in the United States of America.

Washington is visited by tourists who are attracted to the beautiful scenery and dynamic cities in the state. The Olympic National Park is one of the state's most popular attractions. This park is home to the Hoh Rainforest, which includes beautiful trees that are approximately 500 years old. The Space Needle is another popular attraction; this observation deck stands 520 feet above the ground and gives visitors amazing views of the city. The San Juan Islands are another popular attraction, which can be reached either by seaplane or ferry. The most visited islands are Lopez Island, Orcas Island, and San Juan Island. The islands are renowned for whale watching and kayaking.