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. To receive this newsletter as a weekly email, signup for email updates at the bottom of our Contact Us page. Reach out to our team anytime at info@basicrights.org. 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.

After a much needed break last week to focus on our Statewide Action Summit, we are feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and recommitted to fighting for LGBTQ2SIA+ justice. Read on for a recap of the Summit, updates on a ruling on the Reproductive Health Equity Act, and exciting announcements about BRO PAC’s endorsements for the May primary election!

Here are the LGBTQ2SIA+ headlines and activities you need to know this week:

SAS Recap

After months of planning, organizing workshops, and connecting with volunteers, our 2026 Statewide Action Summit, Beyond the Rainbow: Rise Up, Fight Back! was a huge success. Over 120 of you showed up to organize and fight for LGBTQ2SIA+ rights. We heard from queer elders, communications strategists, students, artists, and our keynote speaker, Kathleen Saadat, about our history and how to advance our goals moving forward.

We can’t wait to keep these conversations going as we head into Pride season. As always, you can check out our Mobilize page for volunteering opportunities at our upcoming events.

LGBTQ+ Elders shared their experience with resistance.

BRO Executive Director, Kyndall Mason, with Kathleen Saadat, our keynote speaker.

Staff and volunteers make it all possible!

Thank you to every volunteer and attendee who showed up for LGBTQ2SIA+ rights!

RHEA Ruling

Many of you have probably heard about the ruling from a federal judge siding with Oregon Right to Life in a suit they filed attacking the Oregon Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), which requires insurance coverage for reproductive care like abortions and contraceptives.

This ruling is an affront to fundamental Oregon values. Oregonians have made it clear time and time again that we believe in reproductive freedom and broad access to care. More about the scope of this ruling will be known after the judge issues his written opinion.

Planned Parenthood Action Oregon is working with the Oregon Attorney General’s office to understand the impacts of this decision on abortion and reproductive health care coverage and has committed to protecting our law. As we wait for more information about the impacts of this ruling, please remember that abortion remains legal in Oregon, and health centers are open and providing care. But this decision has the potential to create real and immediate barriers, particularly for people who already face the greatest obstacles to accessing care.

BRO PAC Endorsements

The May 19 Primary Election is right around the corner and Basic Rights Oregon PAC is committed to endorsing candidates that advance BRO’s mission to create lived equality for queer and trans Oregonians. A full list of endorsed candidates will be shared next week, but in the meantime we are excited to spotlight two exciting candidates that BRO PAC has endorsed: Virginia Stapleton and Dr. Tammy Carpenter.