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, subscribe here. 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.

Are you ready for Pride month? If you’ve wanted to volunteer with BRO, now is the time to check out our Mobilize page to sign up to volunteer at a Pride near you!

In other good news, we are excited to share that commissioners listened to the community outcry about the cuts proposed to the Marie Equi Institute in the 2027 Multnomah County proposed budget. Amendments have now been proposed to stabilize the Institute’s budget, as well protect the County’s LGBTQ+ mental health clinician support position, which was also at risk.

Thank you for raising your voices, it truly makes all the difference. We will continue to monitor the budget process and keep you up to date on important developments.

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

Housing Survey

As a member of the Stable Homes for Oregon Families Coalition, we encourage you to complete this housing survey to help us determine what housing and homelessness issues to prioritize in the next legislative session. This is an opportunity to help shape the policy agenda to improve conditions for renters and for people experiencing homelessness.

Renters, people experiencing homelessness, advocates, and allies– this survey is meant for you! Please share your responses by June 1.

Take the Survey!

Ignite Art Auction Open Call

Calling all local queer artists! We're once again recruiting donation submissions for our queer art auction at our annual Ignite gala. The annual event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and is set for Saturday, October 10, 2026.

To help make it a success, we are seeking queer artist submissions of all mediums for our silent auction. Paintings, textiles, zines, photography, etc. are all welcome!

Submit your Work!

Bites for Rights

Meat for Cats and Dogs is an independent, woman owned pet supply shop that focuses on raw pet food, carrying the biggest selection of raw food for cats and dogs in the Pacific Northwest!

Stop by Meat for Cats and Dogs or another participating business on June 25 to raise funds for LGBTQ2SIA+ rights! Businesses participating in Bites for Rights will donate a portion of their sales on June 25 to Basic Rights Oregon.

If you own a cafe, bar, restaurant, coffee shop, dispensary, etc. we’d love you to join us! Contact us at events@basicrights.org to learn more.

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Love,

The BRO team 🌈