BRO Celebrates 30 Years of Protecting and Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2026
Contact: media@basicrights.org
Basic Rights Oregon Celebrates 30 Years of Protecting and Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights
Three decades of queer and trans advocacy work has contributed to Oregon being one of
the most LGBTQ2SIA+ friendly states to live, work, and play in the country.
Portland, OR—Amidst one of the most challenging political climates in decades, Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) is celebrating a landmark milestone in 2026 as the organization celebrates 30 years in service to LGBTQ2SIA+ Oregonians. BRO is proud to be recognized as the longest running LGBTQ2SIA+ advocacy nonprofit organization in the state. Over the past three decades, the organization has helped secure dozens of nondiscrimination laws, created safer, more affirming schools, mandated coverage for trans health care, banned conversion therapy for queer youth, and helped secure marriage equality in Oregon.
"We continue to hear from families and individuals from all over the country who are moving to Oregon so they can live in a place where they can feel safe to be their full, authentic selves without fear of punishment or discrimination. The work we do at BRO is what makes this possible, and we are incredibly proud of how far we have come as a state since our founding," said Kyndall Mason, Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon.
In celebration of 30 years, Basic Rights Oregon is recognizing three decades of queer history, community, resilience, and connection. More than 600 queer and allied business leaders, politicians, and community members will unite at a milestone celebration on Saturday, October 10 at 5:00 pm at the Hyatt Convention Center in northeast Portland. Attendees will experience the best of local queer culture, including a gender-diverse brass band, drag performances, a historic timeline of queer advocacy in Oregon, and an opportunity to connect with past and present leadership of BRO.
Basic Rights Oregon focuses on advocating for policy changes that impact the most vulnerable populations in Oregon, including transgender and gender-expansive adults and youth, LGBTQ2SIA+ people, disabled, neurodivergent, low-income, rural, coastal, and otherwise marginalized queer and BIPOC individuals. Our work impacts the more than 250,000 LGBTQ2SIA+ people who call Oregon home.
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Our mission is to ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion and achieving policy victories. For more information, visit www.basicrights.org.