The Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission will host the 2nd Annual Queer Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, bringing together community members, advocates, service providers, and policymakers for a full day of visibility, education, and civic engagement at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol.

From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, more than 38 exhibitors from across Hawaiʻi, representing three counties, will gather on the 4th Floor of the Capitol to share resources, services, and lived experiences impacting Hawaiʻi’s māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ communities. Exhibitors include nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and community-based programs working year-round to support queer communities statewide

For the first time, Queer Day at the Capitol will feature two educational panels held in the Capitol Auditorium, offering lawmakers, staff, media, and the public an opportunity to engage with experts and advocates on pressing issues facing the māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ communities.

🕘 9:00 – 10:30 AM
Healthcare, Not Politics: The Case for Gender-Affirming Care
Organized by the Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center, this panel will provide evidence-based information on gender-affirming care, its role in public health, and the consequences of restricting access for māhū, transgender, QTPI+ and gender-diverse people in Hawaiʻi.

🕑 2:00 – 3:30 PM
From Policy to Protection: Defending Queer Lives Against Federal Attacks
Organized by the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, this panel will examine federal threats to māhū, LGBTQIA+, and QTPI+ rights, including current and emerging policies, while exploring the role of state and local actions to protect civil rights, safety, and bodily autonomy.