Weekly Update: Save PrEP Access, Come Dance With Us, and More
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.
Hello, you beautiful queer folks and our lovely accomplices!
We hope you are able to take some time for self-care this weekend, as anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and actions continue to ramp up. Here’s an update for today, focused on things you can do and resources you can use.
Good news: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is one of nine state attorneys general to appear in a new video promising trans students that they “have your back.” This isn’t just about a feel-good video —Rayfield has been a leader in pushing back against the Trump administration on LGBTQ2SIA+ issues, and we’re grateful to work with him.
Survey: Speaking of the AG’s office, they’ve got a consumer protection survey out now collecting data on how much Oregonians are paying for things, including rent costs. Take the survey to make sure queer and trans Oregonians are represented in the results, and contribute to a fairer Oregon economy.
Save PrEP access: RFK Jr.’s crusade to “make America healthy again” is now aiming to make it harder to access PrEP and other preventive health services. You can tell Congress what you think of that plan here.
Dance: Our Wild and Free Ignite event is wilder and freer than ever before. This year's dance party will include music from DJ Kris, along with special entertainment from Charlie Henderson, founder of "Stranger: Cosmic Dance for the Wild and Weird." Charlie will be kicking off our after-hours dance party with Guided dance and movement to get you out of your head and into your body! You won't want to miss this!
For parents: Here’s an upcoming virtual info session on navigating gender-affirming care for youth.
Donate: True Colors Recovery Center, an incredible LGBTQ2SIA+ addiction recovery support center in Portland, is facing deep funding cuts that have already forced them to lay off some staff. Donate to True Colors today to ensure they can keep their doors open! (And if you’re in need of support, check out their meeting schedule here.)
Legal support: OUTLAW and the Q Center are hosting a legal name and gender marker clinic on Saturday, November.
That’s all we’ve got for this week! Stay gay, and we’ll be right here again next week, no matter what is happening in the world by then.