Weekly Update: One of Oregon’s Most Famous Queer Advocates to Speak at SAS, Protect Trans Youth, and Early Bird Registration for Statewide Action Summit
Welcome to Basic Rights Oregon’s weekly newsletter, where we update you on the LGBTQ2SIA+ 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.
Hello friends of Basic Rights Oregon! Thanks for reading our weekly update.
Local queer hero and activist, Kathleen Sadaat will be our keynote speaker at this year’s annual Statewide Action Summit.
One year after Trump’s election, we are still here fighting. This upheaval in our national political landscape is what inspired us to start this newsletter in the first place. This past year has brought with it real challenges, but it’s also revealed something powerful: our ability to adapt, support one another, and keep imagining a better future. Progress may feel slow some days, but our joy, solidarity, and vision for a more just future continue to grow. THANK YOU for continuing to show up each week to stay connected and hopeful. 👊
Here are the LGBTQ2SIA+ headlines and activities you need to know this week:
We are so excited to announce the keynote speaker for our upcoming Statewide Action Summit! One of Oregon’s most prolific and well-known LGBTQ+ rights and social justice leaders, Kathleen Sadaat, will share an inspiring message to attendees at our statewide conference on April 10th and 11th in Corvallis, Oregon. Sadaat organized Portland’s very first Pride March in 1976 and has been organizing and fighting for justice ever since. To hear Sadaat speak in person and attend SAS, you can register here. You have until February 6th to take advantage of a lower tier of pricing through early bird registration. Don’t wait! Sign up here today!
And speaking of getting tickets, don’t wait to snag yours to The Oregon Trans Film Festival, set for February 15th, 2026. This one-day, community-centered celebration of transsexual films and filmmakers includes a post-event mixer and filmmaker Q+A. When trans stories are told thoughtfully, they say: we exist, our lives are real, and they matter. Visibility doesn’t solve everything, but it’s often the first step toward activation and justice.
And here are some ways to take action:
Basic Rights Oregon is seeking committee members to help plan and prepare for our 2026 30th anniversary Ignite gala and fundraiser, set for Saturday, October 10, 2026. If you love planning parties, this could be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! We are seeking folks to help with decision-making, ideas development, and fundraising, to include assisting with coordinating this year’s silent auction. If this speaks to you, reach out to Development Director, Auburn Marie at auburn@basicrights.org
The deadline to submit your comments to help Protect Trans Youth is coming up February 13th. The Trump Administration has recently published two proposed regulations targeting access to medical care for transgender youth. These proposed rules aim to cut Medicaid funding to institutions providing care for trans youth under 19. This could have devastating impacts for transgender young people, making it much more difficult for states to fund this care and for youth to get the essential transition-related medical care that allows them to thrive and live healthy lives. Submit your comments today!
Basic Rights Oregon is honored to be an in-kind sponsor of the Lesbian Lookbook, Live, a collaboration between Lesbian Culture Club (LCC) and Frances May. This evening fashion show and party is set for January 31st and will celebrate queer style, community, and self-expression. Get your tickets here today and spend the evening in community with one of BRO’s collaborative partners. See you on the runway!
Thank you as always for reading and taking action! One year later, we are still here—organizing, loving, and refusing to be erased, because our joy and our resistance are inseparable.
Love,
The BRO team 🌈