Weekly Update: Victories at the Legislature, Gender + Sexuality Symposium, and Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities in Queer Spaces
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.
So many of you have reached out wondering what to expect at our upcoming Statewide Action Summit (SAS) and we have answers! Registering will get you access to our jam-packed conference at Oregon State University on April 10 and 11. SAS includes a variety of inspiring and exciting sessions from local community organizers from around the state. You’ll also enjoy catered meals, passionate guest speakers, and multiple ways to relax and recharge. If you are into yoga and breathwork, you are in luck! We will have Yin Yoga classes to move your body (or lie perfectly still if you prefer) throughout the conference! You don’t want to miss this incredible bi-annual event. Register now before we sell out.
Here are the LGBTQ2SIA+ headlines and activities you need to know this week:
Legislative Updates:
HB4088 passed successfully out of the Senate Judiciary Committee! The bill will now head to the Senate Floor for the vote. If you’d like to get updates on the Floor vote to attend in Salem to support or to watch virtually, sign up for legislative action alerts here.
Basic Rights Oregon has been supporting a lot of bills this session including HB4127, the bill that would set up a state system to help fund Planned Parenthood services for vulnerable populations.
We also submitted testimony in support of the Immigrants Rights Package Bills: HB 4114, HB4138, and many more.
BRO is proud to have supported the confidentiality bill for tenant information held by landlords, HB 4123A. You can still send a letter to your legislators in support of the Oregon Housing Alliance eviction prevention bill.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon, along with nine other Senate Democrats, are calling for the Trump administration to withdraw two proposed regulations that would place unprecedented restrictions on health care providers for providing treatment for gender dysphoria to young Americans. The proposed rules would restrict health care providers from participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs if they provide this life-saving care. The letter states: “This proposed rule would place the federal government directly between physicians, patients, and families.” To read the full text of the submitted letters, click here.
Reed College is hosting a Sex, Gender, and Sexuality symposium and lecture featuring LGBTQ2SIA+ historian, Dr. Felicia Kornbluh on Thursday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Reed College inside Vollum Lecture Hall. More than a decade after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot deny citizens from marrying based on sex or sexuality. Kornbluh will discuss the Obergefell decision of 2025 and forgotten chapters of the struggle for same-sex marriage rights. The event is free and open to the public.
And here are some ways to take action:
We have TWO amazing volunteer opportunities coming up we want to tell you about:
Table for BRO at Portland Opera and get free tickets to Fellow Travelers! This performance is a powerful and deeply moving historic snapshot, set amidst the Lavender Scare of midcentury McCarthyism, when persecution of LGBTQ+ people within the federal government was rampant. The modern lyric opera is about the bravery it takes to be one’s authentic self, even when society demands secrecy and silence. Sign up here to volunteer in March!
Table for BRO at Queer’d PDX and then dance the night away in community! This monthly dance party is on March 20 at Escape Bar & Grill and features a drag and dance party with local performers and queer vendors. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Basic Rights Oregon! Sign up here to volunteer and you’ll get free tickets to stay and dance to your heart’s content.
Basic Rights Oregon is holding a Community Envisioning Event on Friday, March 6th from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM in Eugene. Our organizing team will be giving an overview of our 2025 work, as well as a recap of this year’s short legislative session and a post-ballot measure update. Join us in a safe and welcoming space to talk directly about the work, answer questions, and be in community. We hope to see you there! RSVP HERE. Reach out to jose@basicrights.org with questions.
Are you a rural Oregon-based LGBTQIA2S+ community organizer, advocate, or leader with at least 2 years of community engagement experience? Would you like to be paid to commiserate with other LGBTQIA2S+ leaders struggling with burnout and envision ways to share resources and build collective power? If so, The Marie Equi Center and Pride Northwest, Inc. are inviting you to apply for their Building Capacity, Building Power Cohort. The offering pays $1,000 per month and runs from April to December of 2026. If you’re interested in applying, you can fill out the interest form here. The deadline to apply is 5 pm on March 16th.
Don’t forget to register for SAS, and thank you, as always, for reading our weekly newsletter! We are so honored to be in community with you.
Love,
The BRO team 🌈