Weekly Update: Ten Things You Can do This Weekend for LGBTQ+ and Immigrant Rights
Volunteer with BRO to get a free Pride shirt!
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.
Welcome to the weekend, BRO friends! Does this week have you feeling like this cat who ate a bee? That’s okay—it’d be weird not to feel overwhelmed and angry right now.
Fortunately, we aren’t powerless! Here are 10 different things you can do this weekend to support Oregon’s LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities—because we know immigrant rights are LGBTQ+ rights, and vice-versa.
Here’s what you can do:
Show up. As you’re likely aware, ICE detainments have been heating up in Oregon, with a Newberg business owner being arrested just yesterday. You can show up for Oregon’s immigrant community by attending a “No Kings” rally on Saturday. You can even feed two birds with one scone by attending and volunteering to collect Equal Rights for All signatures.
Know your rights. Before you go out and protest, make sure to brush up on your rights using this handy tool from ACLU of Oregon.
Contact your reps. A bit of good news: Freedom to Read, the anti-book banning bill, has passed the Oregon House and now heads to Gov. Tina Kotek to be signed into law! THANK YOU for your help advocating for this important bill! But remember, the legislative session isn’t over yet, and we need you to contact your reps to make sure they don’t gut emergency rent assistance programs from the state budget. These programs help LGBTQ+ folks stay housed—it’s critical that we don’t lose them!
Support foster youth. 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!
Volunteer. 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.
Take a survey. The Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA) is conducting a needs assessment survey for reproductive and gender-affirming care. The survey is for BIPOC Oregonians in the Portland area; take it to help shape the future of healthcare access in Oregon.
Eat for a cause. Our Bites for Rights event is coming up on June 26! Use this weekend as prep time to plan your food excursions. You can support the Equal Rights for All Campaign by visiting one of these businesses that day:
June 26 is going to be one tasty day, with all these Bites for Rights participants!
8. Shop for a cause. Pride season is HERE—do you need some fresh clothes and accessories for the summer? You can shop for a cause by checking out Basic Rights Oregon’s new printful online shop.
9. Wear your Pride. Or, if you need some slightly more intimate apparel, check out Thunderpants’ Pride collection—a portion of proceeds go to BRO!
10. Plan ahead. The ERA Campaign is planning a full week of action for the last week in June! This is the week when a ruling in the Skrmetti Supreme Court case impacting gender-affirming care is likely to be announced, so we’re making sure to have opportunities for both rest and action. Here’s info on the first event we’ll have:
Monday, June 23rd | 6:30-8:00PM | Somatic Workshop | Virtual on Zoom
“Building your resilience toolkit: The intersections of neurobiology and activism,” Facilitated by Melora Golden.
As activists, we are navigating crisis after crisis that wreaks havoc upon our nervous systems. In this 1½ hour interactive workshop, nervous system educator Melora Golden will facilitate restorative practices for folks to add to your toolkit so we can stay grounded and mitigate burnout.
The content will be presented in English with closed captioning available.
Thanks for reading and for TAKING ACTION! As always, it’s a joy to be in community with you.