Chip Phillips, 56, passed away the weekend of February 25th, 2023.

Chip was born on June 19, 1966, to Siebahn Gallagher and Lesley K. Phillips in Mansfield, Ohio. They attended Peasley Elementary, where they met their lifelong friend, Denise Littlejohn. After graduating from Walnut Hills High School in 1984 they went on to study at both the University of Cincinnati and Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Antioch College in 1989, and promptly moved to Seattle, Washington. One of their first jobs was as the indispensable administrative jack of all trades for Alice B. Theatre, one of the premier Gay and Lesbian theaters in the nation in the 1990s. Chip assisted Alice B. in producing entire theatrical seasons, presenting queer artists from all over the country and internationally, as well as the annual Holiday Survival Game Show (one of their favorite shows),

Chip’s love of film led them to co-found the Rainy States Film Festival along with Gina Hicks, Jim and Laurie Sander, Gerry and Mara Donahoe, and many others. They also consulted for the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (now the Seattle Queer Film Festival) and they made movies! They have an IMDB credit… look it up!

Chip’s 30+ year career in computer networking began after calling a local network support company about fixing their broken home computer network. When chip called back later to report they’d fixed it on their own, the owner offered them a job.

Besides 17 years working for International Telcom, their talents with computers and passion for serving their community led them to work for several nonprofits, including:

· Seattle Theatre Group

 · Planned Parenthood

· Columbia Legal Services

 · Seattle Rep

· Crisis Connections

 · Western Washington University

In 2018, chip discovered the Gender Justice League, and their life was changed. Discovering that they identified as trans nonbinary was a revelation to them, and they worked hard to bring the message of GJL into the community. A brilliant friend, mentor, and activist, chip joined the Board of Gender Justice League in the summer of 2019. Chip helped with multiple Trans Pride events and Awards dinners. Replacing Sarah Abshire on the Board of Gender Justice League, chip gave serious consideration to all aspects of GJL’s continued success. Quick to share an opinion, chip’s ability to stick by their decisions was uncompromising when necessary.

Chip moved to Bellingham, Washington in 2020, and began working in the Humanities Department of Western Washington University a couple years later. At Western Washington University chip did everything from delightedly cleaning grimy computer lab keyboards to instantly fixing websites, and everything in between. Chip was adored by faculty and staff alike. Besides being excessively good at their job, they had begun to do what they always did… organize resources for creative folks to create. In a tiny closet, they had begun to amass a collection of film production equipment with the idea of helping students access the tools to share their realities.

Off campus, they forged vital friendships in Bellingham’s arts scene, bringing their extensive knowledge of queer film, theater, and history to local events. In November 2022 they again were instrumental in unifying the queer community, helping to launch the 600-member strong Bellingham Queer Collective with Michelle Harmeier. They were crazy about pickleball and boating and had received their coveted captain's license last year. They belonged to a boating club that allowed them to invite aboard just about everyone, in the now famous Summer of Boats!

Sentimental about absolutely everything, Chip was mad about:

· Vespas (scootering with numerous PNW scooter clubs);

· Their cats Henry and Zola

· Local theater

· Baseball

· Video games

· Guitars

· Pickleball

· Glassybaby candle holders (they were an unashamed fanatic);

· Golf and

· Stained glass windows.

Chip is survived by their ex-wife and forever family Stephanie Phillips; brother Eli Chiaviello; lifelong friend Denise Littlejohn; sibling Lesley and sister-in-law Barb; nephews David, Matthew, and Lesley; nieces Chelsey, Marissa, and Breanna; cousins Jake, David, Gina and River; Aunt Marti; and many other relatives.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Gender Justice League genderjusticeleague.org/give

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Thank you to Annex Theatre, Laurie Utterback, Ed Hawkins and many others from Chip’s community, who helped make this memorial possible.

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