Weekly Update: Prepping for Skrmetti Ruling, Pride Season is HERE, and More
Pride 2025 design by Lisa Cogdon.
Hey there, BRO friends! It’s another sunny Friday, and temps are climbing throughout the state—perhaps it’s time for a summer wardrobe refresh? You can shop for a cause by checking out Basic Rights Oregon’s new printful online shop! We’ve got shirts, hats, totes, and much more featuring our 2025 Pride design by esteemed Oregon artist Lisa Congdon.
And now, here’s the LGBTQ+ news you should know this week:
Two years ago, anti-LGBTQ+ lawmakers in Utah commissioned a study on the risks and benefits of gender-affirming care for youth, with the ultimate goal of passing a ban on that care. Now, that study’s results confirm what we already know: Gender-affirming care can drastically improve trans kids’ lives, and there is no justification for banning that care. There are a lot of anti-trans people and groups trying to muddy the waters on this issue, so when they cast doubt on the science, just remember that the real research is on our side.
Speaking of youth gender-affirming care: The US Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on US v. Skrmetti, a case about the constitutionality of trans healthcare bans, sometime near the end of June. You can learn more about this case by checking out this new documentary, or by reading this handy zine.
A far-right anti-trans group held a rally this week in Cal Anderson Park, located in Seattle’s very queer Capitol Hill neighborhood. Naturally, trans and ally counter-demonstrators showed up. Seattle Police ended up making 23 arrests—mainly targeting the trans counter-protestors, rather than the group spreading hate in the first place.
Here’s some amazing news: As of the publication of this newsletter, 870 of you have used our form to contact your Oregon lawmakers and ask them to save affordable gender-affirming care in Oregon! That form is still up if you haven’t had a chance to take action yet.
And here’s what you can do:
Reminder: We need volunteers to help us table and collect ballot measure signatures at Prides across Oregon this summer! Sign up for one now and you’ll get a free t-shirt with our Pride 2025 design on it.
Here’s another quick and easy opportunity to contact your reps! This time, we’re asking you to make sure the Oregon Legislature doesn’t make cuts to proven houseless prevention measures, including rent assistance programs.
The Trevor Project, an incredible leader on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and suicide prevention, is seeking queer and trans youth ages 13-24 to take their annual menal health survey. Feel free to share with young people in your life!
Saturday, May 31 is César Chávez Day. This is a day for honoring Cesar Chavez’s work and the courageous leaders, organizers, and farmworkers whose dedication, conviction, and fervor for equity serves as a beacon for what is possible. We stand alongside farmers and laborers in their continued fight for better working conditions following the ever-guiding principle: Si Se Puede! If you want to support farmworkers in Oregon now, you can donate or volunteer with PCUN, Oregon’s farmworker union.
Our Bites for Rights event is coming up on June 26! Check out all the amazing local restaurants already participating, and start planning your food journey for the day.
BRO’s Gaby and Kyndall tabled at one of the first Pride fests of the season this week!