Weekly Update: Letters to Protect Gender-Affirming Care, Short Legislative Session Kickoff, and Celebration of Life for Claire Hall
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.
In recent days, communities in Minnesota have been shaken by ICE raids that have brought fear and uncertainty into many homes. But as we know, our queer, immigrant, and chosen families have always found ways to care for one another, even in the hardest moments. This newsletter comes from a place of solidarity and hope. In the face of harm, we continue to organize, to protect each other, and to imagine a future rooted in dignity, safety, and joy. Thank you for being part of a community that believes love is stronger than fear—and that none of us is free until all of us are. 💜🏳️🌈
Here are the LGBTQ2SIA+ headlines and activities you need to know this week:
The Oregon short legislative session begins Monday, February 2nd, and Basic Rights Oregon will be actively responding to federal attacks on our communities by running bills to support equality for queer and trans people. To support this critical work, we are building a coalition of volunteers willing to raise their voices in February 2026. Hearings start next week and continue through March 9th. If you are interested in getting action alerts and want to hear more about how to join us to testify either with written or verbal support of these efforts, please sign up for legislative session urgent action alerts here.
A celebration of life is scheduled this weekend for former Lincoln County commissioner, Claire Hall. Hall’s life and legacy will be recognized Saturday, January 31st at 1:00 pm at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. A longtime BRO supporter and collaborator, Hall was also the keynote speaker at our 2019 Statewide Action Summit. The 21-year public servant also made history in 2018 when she came out as transgender while in office. Hall passed away unexpectedly on January 4.
And here are some ways to take action:
It’s time to register for our Statewide Action Summit, scheduled for April 10th and 11th in Corvallis, Oregon. Early bird pricing is almost over, so don’t wait! The summit will include two days of workshops, networking, inspirational speakers, and a chance to connect with other organizers and LGBTQSIA+ advocates around the state! You can register here by February 6th to take advantage of low-price registration. To participate as a workshop presenter, we are also accepting proposals from local leaders, organizations, students, and community members.
Basic Rights Oregon, alongside our partners at Cascade AIDS Project and the Equi Institute, gathered dozens of impassioned comments yesterday from community members in support of Trans Youth. We co-hosted a public comment writing workshop to protect gender-affirming care, and we’ll be submitting these to the federal government to interrupt proposed changes to Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for minors. It’s not too late to submit your comments in support. Click here to speak up!
Support your local, queer-friendly business and help protect and defend LGBTQSIA+ Oregonians! Basic Rights Oregon is honored to be supported by Addy’s Sandwich Bar in downtown Portland. Thanks to our partnership with Addy’s, BRO was able to raise more than $38,000 during our annual Give Guide campaign. We are so grateful to companies in our community that see the value of investing in justice and equal rights for all. Visit Addy’s today and thank them for supporting our communities!
A heads up to our readers: Our small but mighty newsletter team is participating in professional development next week to improve and strengthen our work in supporting LGBTQSIA+ rights–so we’ll be taking one week off the newsletter to focus and learn. Thank you as always for reading and taking action! We will be back with our next update on Friday, February 13th.
Love,
The BRO team 🌈