Weekly Update: Big Wins for Pro-LGBTQ+ Politicians, Unpacking the Supreme Court’s Anti-Trans Passport Decision, and Ways to Party With Us!
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.
Happy Friday, BRO friends!
We’ll kick things off with some great news: Oregon SNAP recipients are getting their November benefits today! This comes after a federal judge forced the Trump Administration to stop withholding SNAP dollars as the government shutdown plods on. Now, if only PDX flights could stop getting cancelled…
Here are the LGBTQ2SIA+ headlines you need to know this week:
She’s baaaaack! The US Supreme Court is today meeting privately to consider whether or not to take a case from Kim Davis, thrice-divorced defender of marriage, seeking to overturn marriage equality nationwide. To be clear: The Court hasn’t even decided whether or not to take this case yet, and we don’t know if they will. We won’t know their decision until this Monday at the earliest.
Speaking of the Supreme Court: They ruled yesterday that Trump’s anti-trans passport policies can be reinstated, after a lower Court had been blocking them. Things are still fuzzy as to what the implications are but here’s what we believe, to the best of our knowledge, that means for trans and nonbinary passport holders and applicants:
Current holders of valid passports should not see any changes—existing X markers, if you have them, remain valid.
Those who applied under class protection (ie. filled out the affidavit form after the initial injunction, likely won’t have to make changes until a final ruling is issued) but may have to revert markers at that time.
New applications for passports will require binary, original birth certificate sex designations (for now).
Those who have a gender marker change currently in process may fall somewhere in the middle, depending on how fast rules are changed back and local level officials understand implementation of those changes.
To stay up-to-date with the most recent legal passport updates and analysis, bookmark this Lambda Legal webpage. And if you’re in the Portland area, remember that Triangle Legal Foundation is offering a few free legal clinics through the end of this year.
In case you missed it: Tuesday was Election Day! While we didn’t have too much on the ballot here in Oregon, but we did see pro-trans politicians win in several major races across the state, as well as the election of the country’s first transgender mayor. As trans journalist Erin Reed writes, “Taken together, the results amount to a resounding rejection of the notion that Democrats must soften—or stay silent—on LGBTQ+ rights to win.”
In the Trump admin’s latest attack on LGBTQ+ folks and immigrants, the US Department of Education is attempting to withhold student loan forgiveness for employees at nonprofits that support immigrants or trans young people, or promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Oregon is one of 21 states suing over the new policy.
A new investigation from The Oregonian shows that it’s taken the state government more than 18 months to fill two open positions for investigators into discrimination claims in Oregon’s public schools.
In more school discrimination news, a federal appeals court ruled that students should be free to intentionally misgender their peers, and make fun of their gender identities, without fear of punishment. This case was focused on one Ohio school district, but the ruling could have implications for districts nationwide with similar policies.
And here are some events and ways to take action:
We can’t wait to celebrate all our amazing volunteers on Thursday!
TONIGHT (11/7), join us for a night of fun and fundraising for the Equal Rights for All Campaign at the World Famous Kenton Club! We’ll have beats from DJ Wildchild, comedy from Mx. Dahlia Belle, a silent auction and more.
The Trans Relocation Fund, a local program that helps trans folks relocating from red states, is opening up a pop-up location at Portland’s Lloyd Center! Their soft-opening is this Saturday (11/8). WERQ Together, their parent organization, is also looking for local artists and vendors to join their holiday markets at the mall.
Have you volunteered with Basic Rights Oregon in the last year? That could mean working at Pride or other events, attending Lobby Day, delivering testimony at the State Capitol, or collecting signatures for our Equal Rights for All Campaign. You’re invited to our Volunteer Appreciation Party this Thursday (11/13)! We’ll have dinner, prizes and more, and friends and family are welcome.
We’re teaming up with the Lesbian Culture Club to host a screening of modern lesbian classic Carol, directed by Portland’s own Todd Haines, on December 7!
We’re in Give!Guide again, and WE NEED YOUR HELP to meet our fundraising goal!
Pairs With Pride creates intergenerational connections between older adults and younger adults in our communities. They’re looking for folks to participate, or be a program volunteer!