Charlene Strong

Charlene Strong is an advocate for equality whose life and work have helped shape public understanding of civil rights, healthcare protections, and family recognition. Her path to activism began after the tragic death of her wife of ten years, when she experienced discrimination while dealing with hospital and funeral arrangements. That personal injustice redirected her life toward public advocacy and social change.

Strong has played a significant role in advancing Washington State’s domestic partnership laws, helping secure landmark protections that were the first of their kind in the United States to be upheld by popular vote. Her story and advocacy have been widely covered by major media outlets including Newsweek - magazine, The Advocate - LGBTQ magazine, Associated Press - news agency, The Washington Post - newspaper, CBS News - news network, and The Seattle Times - newspaper. She was also featured in the Characters Unite - documentary series aired on the USA Network - American cable channel and in the award-winning documentary “For My Wife,” which has reached audiences worldwide.

Strong has served as a spokesperson for the National LGBTQ Task Force - U.S. civil rights organization, Equal Rights Washington - advocacy organization, and GLAAD - media advocacy organization. Her work focuses particularly on hospitalization rights and end-of-life decision protections, and she has collaborated with the Washington State Hospital Association - healthcare organization to help develop training resources for frontline medical staff.

In 2007, she was appointed by Christine Gregoire to serve as a Human Rights Commissioner for the state of Washington. Strong has also brought her advocacy to national audiences, including meetings at the White House - Washington, DC, US with Barack Obama, former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and leadership from the Service Employees International Union - labor union.