How long have you been a 12?
I grew up in Seattle, so I can't remember a time when I wasn't a Seahawks fan. Our family loves the Seahawks, and whether we're catching a game in person or watching together at home we're 12s through and through. I'll never forget that there was a Seahawks game the day after I got married, and my entire family came down to brunch decked out in Seahawks gear- we are proud to let everyone know that the Seahawks are our team!
Tell us about the importance of National Coming Out Day and celebration of the day.
I came out in the mid-nineties. Before Ellen. Before Will & Grace. I was in high school and there wasn't even a student group where I could meet other people like me. Like so many teenagers, I just wanted to fit in and belong, and for me, being gay meant another reason to feel alone.
After learning that I had been accepted to college, I decided to start a gay-straight alliance at my high school so that students like me could find support and community – so that hopefully they wouldn't have to feel as scared and alone as I had.
Thankfully over the last twenty-eight years a lot of progress has been made toward LGBTQ equality and inclusion. But I believe that even at a time when marriage equality is the law of the land, and even though I live in a state where LGBTQ people have rights and legal protections, National Coming Out Day still matters. Because as far as we've come, there are still people who don't feel safe or seen – who experience discrimination and or violence on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
When we come out and share fully who we are and how we identify, the people who know us learn and are reminded that members of the LGBTQ community are their friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. And I believe that being in relationship with one another is how we continue to make progress in breaking down the persistent stereotypes and combat the ignorance that harms some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
For me, National Coming Out Day is a celebration that it gets better for members of the LGBTQ community through visibility, representation, allyship, and celebration.
Tell us about your work with the Intentionalist and why you started it.
Intentionalist is an online directory and intentional spending platform that makes it easy to find, learn about and support brick and mortar Main Street small businesses and the diverse people behind them. I started Intentionalist because I believe that everyday decisions about where we eat, drink, and shop are opportunities to intentional connect with and support the local businesses at the heart of our communities.
At a time when we're often encouraged to swipe and click our way to immediate gratification, Intentionalist encourages and incentivizes all of us to spend intentionally at small businesses, because their value is so much more than the products and services for sale – they are places and spaces where we go to connect, celebrate, organize, and build community.
What has been your relationship with the intentionalist and the Seattle sports teams and why is it important for you to have their partnership?
Seattle professional sports teams like the Seahawks understand the value of community and what's possible when we work together. Over the past three years, Intentionalist has partnered with the Seahawks, Sounders, Storm, Reign, Mariners, and Kraken to engage fans to support diverse local businesses throughout the Greater Seattle area.
Together, we have catalyzed nearly $800K in intentional spending at small businesses owned by women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, indigenous people, veterans, and people with disabilities. Our partnership with Seattle professional sports teams reminds small businesses that the athletes, staff, and fans appreciate the ways that they make our communities better.
Spend like it matters is your "tagline" tell us more about that.
Intentionalist believes that where we spend our money matters because people matter. Owning and operating a small business is both a means to greater economic opportunity and a way of truly serving the local community. When we "spend like it matters" we let local business owners know that we appreciate what they do and bring to our neighborhoods.
And so many small businesses are lifelong 12s – from Emma's BBQ in Hillman City, to Dim Sum King in the Chinatown-International District, to Doce Donuts - the name literally translates to "12" in Spanish – whose owners were inspired by the spirit of what it means to be a 12 in Seattle.
Can you share more about your work within the LGBTQ+ community?
I've been engaged in LGBTQ advocacy and activism since I first came out in high school. I started a gay-straight alliance at my school before I graduated and stayed involved in efforts to further LGBTQ inclusion throughout college. After graduation, I co-led the LGBTQ employee resource group at General Mills, and later co-led the Maryland Marriage Equality business coalition.
For the past decade I have been a member of the Athlete Ally board of directors, including serving as co-chair of the board from 2019-2023.
In 2017, I led the Equality Is A Team Sport campaign that engaged the Seahawks, Storm, Sounders, Reign, and Mariners in a first-of-its-kind joint Pride Month collaboration that included a press conference, fan activation, and a video PSA that was played at Sounders, Storm, Reign, and Mariners Pride Games which took place within the same week on consecutive days.
Through my continued service in support of Athlete Ally, partnering with Seattle teams like the Seahawks as allies to the LGBTQ community harnesses the influence of sports to make a difference. As much progress as has been made over the decades since I first came out, there is still so much more work to be done, especially to ensure that gender diverse people are safe and supported on and off the field of play.
In 2024, I was deeply honored to be recognized as one of fifty people who have shaped LGBTQ inclusion in Washington as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Pride.
As a thank you for helping the Seahawks support Pride, we are hosting a Jersey Giveaway on our social channels. We're extremely honored to have dedicated fans that support the causes close to our organization.
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker (17) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jerome Baker (17) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Jarran Reed (90) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and Seahawks center Connor Williams (57) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) and Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
