Weekly Update: What You Should Know About HHS’ Anti-Trans Report, Join BRO on the Campaign Trail, and More
Welcome to Basic Rights Oregon’s weekly newsletter, where we update you on the LGBTQ+ news you should know, things you can do, and ways you can help. If you have questions, reach out here. To receive this newsletter as a weekly email, signup for email updates at the bottom of our Contact Us page. BRO’s work—including this newsletter—is funded entirely by our supporters. Donate here.
Welcome, BRO Friends!
Rev. Lazarus Jameson (they/them) speaking at a Portland May Day rally.
Yesterday was May Day, and BRO was proud to have representatives out speaking and participating in rallies, and collecting signatures for our Equal Rights for All Campaign. Thanks to Rev. Lazarus Jameson (they/them) for speaking on behalf of BRO about how labor rights and LGBTQ+ rights intersect.
Here’s the LGBTQ+ news you should know this week:
As you may have heard, this week the US Department of Human Services (HHS) released a report purporting to show that no youth should access gender-affirming medical care—and instead that these youth should receive “exploratory therapy” that sounds a lot like conversion therapy. The authors of the report are being kept anonymous.
We know this is nonsense. For decades, every major medical association (including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics) has supported gender-affirming care to treat dysphoria. These are the same rigorously tested medicines we trust for early puberty, diabetes, and thyroid disorders—they’re safe in those cases, and they’re safe for trans youth.
In Oregon, our standards and policies around gender-affirming care remain the same, regardless of the HHS report.HHS also plans to defund services for LGBTQ+ young people who call the 988, the national suicide hotline, in another especially cruel move. As a reminder, you can access the Trevor Project or Trans Lifeline if you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Some better news: Oregon’s own Sen. Jeff Merkley joined other Senate Democrats in re-introducing the Equality Act this week. The legislation would make it illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ folks at the federal level—though we already have those protections here in Oregon thanks to state law. While the bill is unlikely to become law anytime soon, Merkley and others positioned the move as pushing back “against escalated attacks from the Trump administration, MAGA Republicans, and state legislatures on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide.”
GLAAD released an analysis of the first 100 days of Trump’s term, focusing on his impact on LGBTQ+ rights. GLAAD provides a thorough account of this administration’s attacks on queer and trans people and rights so far, but the report also offers some encouragement, noting that many attempted policies have been unenforceable or blocked in court.
Here’s what you can do:
Oregon school board elections happen this month! If you’re in the area, please join BRO in canvassing for LGBTQ-inclusive candidates. We’ll be out there on May 12th and May 19th. (Follow those links to sign up.)
Given the cuts to 988 we mentioned earlier, now is a great time to donate to an LGBTQ-serving crisis line if you’re able. Donate to Trevor Project here, or Trans Lifeline here.
April was Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we profiled four amazing volunteers over on social media! You can be like Mikayla, Doug, Karen and Kathy by signing up to volunteer with BRO. We’ll need you this Pride season!
We know there was some heavy news in this week’s update, but look around right now: You are here, you are loved, and no matter what, time goes on. Thanks for being a BRO supporter—we’re supporting you right back!
Happy Friday,
The BRO team 🌈