Weekly Update: Join our Rally for Trans Youth Power, Gender Affirming Care Cuts Blocked, and More
Welcome to Basic Rights Oregon’s weekly newsletter, where we update you on the LGBTQ+ 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.
BRO staffers like JJ are ready and waiting to give you Pride SWAG this weekend!
Welcome to the weekend, BRO friends! It’s another BIG Pride weekend for Basic Rights Oregon. You can find us at Pride events in Beaverton, Tigard, Eugene, The Dalles, and Dayton this weekend! Come say hi, and add your signature to help get our Equal Rights for All measure on the 2026 ballot.
And now, here’s the LGBTQ+ news you should know this week:
It looks like Trump’s “Big, beautiful bill” isn’t going to be quite so big after all. That’s because the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the bill’s Medicaid cuts—including cuts to gender affirming care—violate Senate rules and cannot be passed by a simple majority vote. Nothing is set in stone until the bill is voted on, but this is very promising news!
The US Supreme Court wrapped up its session today with a slew of bad rulings, including one that allows parents to remove their kids from class if a book includes LGBTQ2SIA+ characters. Other rulings include upholding a ban on Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, and opening the door for Trump to dismantle automatic birthright citizenship. It might be easy to feel defeated right now, but remember: Our rights, our dignity, and our strength are not determined by any court ruling. We demand these things by continuing to exist and build community, no matter what.
Content warning: suicide. KPTV interviewed BRO and other advocates about the Trump Administration’s decision to defund 988’s LGBTQ+ option. One silver lining: Folks from Oregon’s Lines for Life say that they are training and staffing up to make sure they can handle an increase in calls from the LGBTQ+ community. (If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available. Contact Lines for Life, Trans Lifeline, or the Trevor Project.)
Last week, we shared a video of two Black drag performers lip-synching at the Oregon State Capitol, in celebration of an Oregon House Resolution recognizing the cultural contributions of Oregon’s Black drag community. Unfortunately, most Republicans boycotted the performance and did not vote on the resolution. But one Republican, Rep. Cyrus Javadi, stayed for the performance and voted for the resolution, even though it was out of his personal comfort zone. Rep. Javadi explains why he stayed in a blog post:
“I believe the First Amendment isn’t just ink on parchment. It’s a moral commitment to letting people speak, believe, express, perform, protest, and, yes, even prance, without needing the government’s stamp of approval on the message.”
And here’s what you can do:
Join us for a Rally for Trans Youth Power! Happening 5-7pm Wednesday, July 2 in Southeast Portland, this rally is an opportunity for us to collectively mourn the Skrmetti ruling, center the voices of trans youth and adults, and get energized for the work ahead. RSVP here to get the address.
Looking for ways to support LGBTQ+ youth? Join us for FOSTERING PRIDE on July 1st at 6pm to learn more about becoming a resource (foster) family dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth in foster care, as well as information about understanding the unique needs of this population and the supports available to help. No commitment necessary to attend, so sign up now!
Portland Pride is coming up in a few weeks! We need volunteers to help us table and collect ballot measure signatures at Portland Pride, and Prides across Oregon! Sign up for one now and you’ll get a free t-shirt with our Pride 2025 design on it.
Thanks for reading! Here’s a cool playlist featuring LGBTQ2SIA+ artists with a Portland connection, courtesy of the Portland Mercury, to get you ready for the weekend.