Who We Are
The Seattle LGBTQ Commission consists of 21 representative residents of Seattle appointed to serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, City Council, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, and other Seattle City departments. Eight commissioners are appointed by the Mayor, eight appointments are made by the City Council, and the Commission appoints four members. Commissioners are appointed to a two year term of office and serve without pay. The 21st member joins the Commission each year through Get Engaged, a leadership development program for 18-29 year olds.
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights provides staff and support to the Commission.
Meet Our Commissioners
Nate Higby
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Nate Higby (he/him/his) graduated with a degree in Sociology from Whitman College, Washington and works at Virginia Mason Medical Center where he does continuous improvement consulting and is an active member of the LGTQB staff committee. A life-long Pacific Northwesterner, Nate is passionate about social justice, especially dismantling systems of oppression. In particular, Nate has spent time advocating for both Disability and LGTBQrights. In 2018, Nate was able to participate in a civil rights pilgrimage in the South and heard firsthand from footsoldiers about the importance of civic engagement. Since then, Nate has been committed to serving the community by working with a variety of local organizations in Seattle, including Year Up, Common Purpose, Yesler Terrace's Youth Tutoring Program, and United Way. When not working or volunteering, Nate likes to
train for marathons and try new restaurants around Capitol Hill.
Victor Loo
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Victor Loo (he/him) is a principal consultant, executive coach, strategist, national leader who addresses health disparities and leads with equity. He is 1 of the 25 national leaders in the SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions’ Addressing Health Disparities Leadership Program, and 1 of the 15 national leaders in the National Council for Behavioral Health's Healthy Youth Leadership Institute. He represents US Department of Health & Human Services’ Region 10 -Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington on the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health Steering Committee, and Washington State Commit to Change Steering Committee.Besides the compassion, passion and vision to serve Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, immigrants, and refugees, homeless, unhoused and unsheltered individuals; he is also an active community advocate/leader for the LGBTQ+ community and is Co-Chair with the City of Seattle LGBTQ Commission.
Andrew Ikechukwu Ashiofu
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Andrew Ikechukwu Ashiofu is a second generation Nigerian-American born to Nigerian immigrant parents in Houston, Texas. As a toddler, he moved back to Nigeria where he grew up and after 20 years came back to the USA. He has lived in Seattle since 2016. He has a BSC in Microbiology.
While in College he represented Nigeria at the Youth Employment Summit (a millennial development growth initiative). In Nigeria, he started a safe spiritual sanctuary called House of Rainbow for the LGBTQ community. Here in the US, he has worked with fellow LGBTQ+ Nigerians in establishing human rights advocacy and asylum aid for LGBTQ+ Immigrants seeking help. He is a member of DPHIU, the first Greek fraternity for gay men of color. Andrew is also a planning council member with the Seattle HIV/AIDS planning council and co-chair of the King County Democrat's DEI committee. He is an avid traveller, has been to 5 continents, and hopes to one day go to Antarctica.
Raja Fouad
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Raja Fouad (they/them/theirs) is an asylee from Pakistan who moved to the United States at the age of 17. They lived in Alabama for most of their 20's & moved to Seattle in 2016. They identify as Non-Binary.
During their time in Alabama, they worked with various Civil & Labor Right groups. They were an active part of working on various projects & legislations including but not limited to Rape Prevention & Policy change at University of South Alabama, legislation requiring City of Mobile Police Department to wear body cameras, 15 Now Campaign, the fight against Alabama's Anti-Illegal Immigration bill (Beason-Hammon) HB-56, and the fight for equal rights for LGBTQ couples even after the Marriage Equality Bill was passed.
In Seattle, they are focused on continuing the work to better the lives of Trans & Immigrant Communities. They have been active in the art scenes & have enjoyed working in spaces like the Seattle Art Museum & McCaw Hall. Currently they are working at Toyota where they are helping pave the way forward to create a welcoming environment in a space not generally welcome to Queer folks. It is part of their focus on moving away from Safe Spaces to a Safe City & providing Equal Opportunities everywhere for Trans & BIPOC communities.
In their leisure time, they enjoy going to art spaces, thrift stores, various parks & beaches in the region, and going to local Drag shows & Concerts. You can also them exploring the City's International & Local food scene
