Weekly Update, Halloween Edition: Ghoulish Gender Affirming Care Pending Rules, Frighteningly Fun Events, and More Treats
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.
Welcome ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and gender-benders to the Halloween 2025 edition of Basic Rights Oregon’s weekly newsletter! Inside you’ll find hair-raising news headlines, wicked ways to take action, and the very thing fascists fear most: An unwillingness to abandon our queer and trans joy. ENTER… IF YOU DARE!
First, the news:
We’ll start things off with an explanation of news you might have seen yesterday about potential new Medicaid and Medicare restrictions on gender-affirming care for young people, as well as an attempt to cut all federal funding to any healthcare facility that provides gender-affirming care for patients under 19. BRO staffer Seth is here to provide some context, cover what comes next, and preview how you’ll be able to act on this in the future (view the video to the right).
Another way this administration is targeting the well-being of LGBTQ+ young people: The federal government recently sent letters to several states that require foster parents and group homes to be affirming of their youths’ queer and trans identities, including Oregon. The letters direct those states to review these policies, and aim to have them removed. Our own staffer Mikki spoke with KGW about how harmful this could be for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth in care.
Here’s a little bit of shameless schadenfreude, courtesy of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, one of the most outspoken trans allies in Congress. After Riley Gaines, athlete and anti-trans grifter, insulted her on social media, AOC responded: “Maybe if you channeled all this anger into swimming faster you wouldn’t have come in fifth.” Sure, this isn’t going to change any policies, but at a time when a rising number of Democrats are loath to utter the word “transgender,” it’s nice to see someone in power choose to go after our haters. And FYI to all those reticent Democrats: AOC so far has not vanished into a cloud of pink and blue smoke for daring to defend her trans constituents.
If you’ve made it this far through that haunted house of headlines, you have now reached the treat section! Here are ways you can connect with community and take action:
It’s no secret that queer and trans rights are under attack by the Trump administration. One way to fight back and help others is by hosting a house party for Basic Rights Oregon! House parties are a fun way to bring your community together to learn about and support BRO’s work for LGBTQ+ equality. To learn more and get started, please contact Mikki Gillette at mikki@basicrights.org.
As of today, it looks like Trump might have to fund November SNAP funds after all. Regardless, it’s a tough time for a lot of us. One great resource is the Oregon Food Bank’s free food finder. And for those in the Portland area, here’s an ongoing list of restaurants and other businesses stepping up to help during this uncertain time.
On November 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.
Triangle Legal Foundation, a local group providing pro-bono legal assistance for trans folks and sex workers, is hosting a few legal clinics before the end of the year.
Here’s one holiday event you can definitely feel excited about: 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!
Finally: Tomorrow, November 1, is the start of Give!Guide season! Last year, we were less than a hundred dollars away from reaching our final goal of $35,000 in donations. Help us find redemption by donating this weekend, and get a free sandwich from Addy’s Sandwich Bar in return.
It is a great failure of modern technology that while we now have AI actors and terrifying cop surveillance tech, there remains no way to digitally send you all some Nerds Gummy Clusters for Halloween. In lieu of that, just know that we’re always in your corner. Have a fun, safe, and gay weekend!
Love,
The BRO team 🌈👻