What's Being Discussed

The Hawai'i State LGBTQ+ Commission is holding its monthly public meeting on November 9, 2026, from 2:00–4:00 PM. You can attend in person in Honolulu or join virtually via Zoom. Key topics include:

• A presentation by the newly crowned Empress and Emperor of the Imperial Sovereign Court of Hawai'i about their community goals
• An update on efforts to ensure insurance companies follow state law when denying gender-affirming care, including a letter sent to the Attorney General
• Planning for a Rainbow Pau Hana community gathering for queer leaders
• Updates on 2027 legislative priorities, including expanding gender markers on birth certificates, improving hate crime reporting, access to mental health care, banning forced surgeries on intersex minors, and LGBTQ+ history education in schools
• Updates on outreach to community members who have faced barriers accessing gender-affirming care
• Adopting a new Culture of Practice Statement for the Commission

Decisions Expected

• Electing a new issue-based Vice Chair (focused on areas like Kūpuna, immigration, or Native Hawaiian issues)
• Voting on a lead coordinator for the Rainbow Pau Hana event
• Voting to adopt the Culture of Practice Statement
• Deciding on sponsoring the 2027 Harm Reduction Conference
• Approving the October 2026 meeting minutes

Who Should Pay Attention

• LGBTQ+ community members across all Hawaiian islands
• People who have experienced insurance denials for gender-affirming care
• Youth ages 14–20 interested in the Rainbow Prom on November 22
• Advocates, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare providers serving LGBTQ+ individuals
• Anyone interested in 2027 state legislation affecting LGBTQ+ rights