Trump’s Executive Orders and Impacts On Our Communities
As anticipated, the incoming White House has issued a series of harmful and sweeping executive actions - including those targeting the LGBTQ+ community. As we know, things are changing rapidly—often hour by hour and minute by minute—and so Basic Rights Oregon is committed to being informative, not reactive. We will continue to provide updates as we learn more, and we remain in close contact with our state lawmakers. The information we have here represents our best understanding as of March 2025.
While BRO is not a breaking news organization, nor do we provide direct services to individuals—we are poised and energized to take action to advocate for the protection of hard-earned LGBTQ+ rights in our state. We want to remind you of our comprehensive Resource Page where you can find updated, localized information about LGBTQ+ providers related to healthcare, housing, discrimination, and much more.
We know that many people in our community are scared and uncertain about what impacts these actions will have. We encourage folks to look to trusted resources to navigate this shifting landscape and seek community space and support as needed. Basic Rights Oregon is our state’s longest-running LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Our most effective tools and organizing power are here in Oregon - and we will work to coordinate with partners across our state and nation to share this work and support our communities.
What Has Not Changed:
Executive orders are not law. They are instructions to federal agencies to take actions. While many things are evolving rapidly, we want to ground Oregonians in some essentials:
LGBTQ+ People Have Always Been Here, We Will Always Be Here:
While policies can change, we are not going anywhere.
Oregon Law Remains the Law:
Oregon has one of the strongest frameworks of protections for LGBTQ+ communities and those laws remain fully in effect here in the state. We expect them to be fully enforced in schools, health care settings, social services, workplaces, public accommodations, and more.
Gender Affirming Care Remains Legal in Oregon:
With the exception of federal inmates, none of the new executive actions place any restrictions on current legal care. Here, in the state of Oregon, gender-affirming care remains legal and protected.
Existing Federal Documents and State Document Processes:
For individuals who hold current federal identification documents with changed gender markers, those documents are still valid. For those seeking changes to state-level documents, the process for changing gender markers and other information has not changed with this order.
Rulings on Workplace Discrimination and Marriage Equality:
The Supreme Court decisions in Bostock (employment non-discrimination) and Obergefell (same-sex marriage equality) remain unchanged. For Oregonians, our state-based protections in these areas of law give us additional layers of protection against future actions.
What Can We Do:
We know that legal challenges are already filed or in the works for many of the orders issued, and whether through litigation, public comment and advocacy, or calls to action - we will have tools to push back where harm is being done to our communities.
For both individuals and organizations, one of the most essential pieces of guidance we can offer is to continue to seek out and share updated, accurate information. It is important that we stay grounded in the facts and provide support and reassurance to our communities.
For Individuals:
Follow along with Basic Rights Oregon and other partners. There will be resources, community events, and opportunities to take action in the coming days and weeks ahead. Follow along with us and our partners in this space to be a part of that shared work.
Ensure that your legal documents and directives are in order. Regardless of your identity or status, we encourage individuals to take the time to review your documents and to have information prepared and readily available - especially if you are traveling.
Be an advocate in your circles. Stand up for values of welcome and inclusion and continue to be an advocate in your families, communities, workplaces, organizations, and other spaces.
Support the work. Donate, volunteer, and support calls to action from organizations like ours. All of us have a place in the work ahead.
For Organizations:
Support Impacted Communities. We urge fellow organizational leaders to take time in the coming days to check in and support employees, clients, and partners who are part of affected communities. We encourage organizations to step up in whatever ways you can to support those most impacted in Oregon and beyond.
Stand Strong in Your Commitments. We know that organizations and institutions will face increasing cultural and political pressure to back down from commitments to support diverse communities. Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s good for businesses and organizations. Don’t let a shifting environment deter you from good investments, partnerships, and promises.
As we move through the coming weeks - be sure to take time to process your feelings, and to seek support, and to offer it to others when you are able. Keep in mind that these political moves are doing exactly what they are intended to do: spread fear, outrage, confusion, and sadness among our communities. BRO staff, volunteers and board members are also part of the LGBTQ+ community, and we stand with all the communities impacted by this order. We are ready for the work ahead.