Weekly Update: Medford’s Getting a Queer Bar, The Latest Attacks on Trans Care, and LGBTQ+ Holiday Shopping Recs
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 to the rainy weekend, BRO friends!
REMINDER: We’re hiring for a Digital Communications Organizer, and our priority application deadline is Thursday, December 11! Get those applications in soon if you want to join the BRO team.
Here are the LGBTQ2SIA+ headlines you need to know this week:
The latest federal attack on trans healthcare: In new legislation, Republicans are reportedly trying to require health insurance plans that receive Affordable Care Act subsidies to stop providing gender-affirming care. This is another move that would impact lower-income trans folks the most. Trans journalist Erin Reed has more context here.
Spectrum, Eugene’s only queer bar, closed in 2024. A year later, OPB reports on how the closure has impacted the city’s LGBTQ2SIA+ community—and how folks are building alternative queer hubs there.
In other nightlife news: Medford is about to get its first queer bar! Prism is expected to open next year, bringing a much-needed dedicated space for LGBTQ+ folks to gather in the region.
A new memo at the US Department of Justice directs prison and jail inspectors to stop evaluating facilities based on whether or not they are accommodating and safe for incarcerated trans, intersex, and gender-nonconforming folks. While prison has never been a truly safe space for our communities (or anyone, for that matter), this puts our incarcerated trans siblings in even more danger—and represents nothing but abject cruelty from this administration.
And here are some events and ways to take action:
This week has some big opportunities to win prizes when you donate to us through Give!Guide! Give $50, and you’ll automatically get a free gourmet sandwich from Addy’s Sandwich Bar. And if you give at least $10 on Wednesday, December 10, you’ll be entered to win a free dinner cruise on the Portland Spirit, and a stay at fancy Portland hotel The Nines.
Our friends at the Oregon Queer History Collective have created a 2026 calendar full of cool archival photos, art and more—the perfect holiday gift for your favorite queers, or for yourself. Check out a preview and snag a copy here!
Looking to volunteer this holiday season? Bookmark our Mobilize page for frequently updated volunteer events!
If you’re in the Portland area and need to get some holiday shopping done, Lloyd Center has you covered with Trans Town Pop-Up Markets. These markets feature trans creatives, and are happening every Saturday between now and Christmas.
Thanks for reading our weekly LGBTQ2SIA+ update! Stay safe and warm out there, cue up Heated Rivalry for your weekend viewing pleasure, and we’ll see you next week.
Love,
The BRO team 🌈