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 January 29, 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 Changed:
Early executive actions are already being implemented across the federal government. As of now, we are most concerned about impacts affecting:
Immigrant, Refugee, and Asylum Seekers. Numerous executive actions were issued in this space, along with active federal legislation. We urge those in these communities to seek legal resources and representation as you are able and to stay in connection with groups providing guidance specific to these areas of policy.
Federal Incarceration. Executive action has instructed agencies to deny gender-affirming care to those in federal incarceration and to house inmates based on sex assigned at birth. We expect legal challenges but urge those who are impacted to be in contact with legal representation.
Those Seeking Federal Document Changes (Passports, Social Security, etc.). For those who have gender marker changes currently being processed by the federal government, we urge you to follow up with federal offices and seek support from your Congressional offices and/or national legal groups as needed. For individuals who did not make these changes before the new administration - we are encouraging people to hold off on seeking any gender marker changes until there is clarity around the process and/or active litigation that puts this portion of the order on hold. If you need to renew your passport and you have an “X” gender marker, the national advice is to hold off on renewing.
Those With Active Civil Rights Cases. It is our current understanding that all investigatory actions from the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights division are at least temporarily on pause. For individuals who have sought relief through a civil rights investigation or process, we encourage you to reach out to legal resources.
Federal Employees. Multiple executive actions seek to curtail work around diversity, equity, and inclusion - including ending projects and firing employees. Additionally, shifting executive action may curtail access to federal employee health insurance coverage of gender affirming care. We encourage individuals to document actions taken around their employment, for those with collective bargaining agreements we urge individuals to review those terms and seek support from union representatives.
Transgender Individuals in Military Service. Executive action has been issued that challenges the eligibility of transgender individuals in the military. This has impacts for both current military service members as well as those who might be exploring military service. For individuals in current military service, we encourage you to reach out to legal resources and to watch active litigation surrounding this order.
Youth, Families, and Care Providers Seeking Gender Care. The White House has issued an executive order that threatens to use federal tools and messaging to curtail gender affirming care for youth. It is important to note that this is not an outright ban on this care federally. For care providers in Oregon - we encourage you to conduct organizational risk assessments and to seek legal counsel as needed to ensure continued access to appropriate medical care. For youth and families, this order does not change the legality of care in Oregon, but we are watching closely for impacts to funding that could create additional pressures around accessibility.
Organizational Funding for Federal Grant Recipients. Multiple executive actions have used language that target federal grant recipients and supported programs. Programs that have significant funding from federal sources should be conducting organizational risk assessments and making financial contingencies should short - or longer term - shifts to federal funding and reimbursements come through executive branch action. In addition, we recommend that organizations consult with legal counsel where appropriate.
What May Change Soon:
We do anticipate further actions from federal agencies and programs that could continue to create challenges for our communities across the country - these may include attempts to curtail adult access to gender affirming care. We are tracking a number of anti-LGBTQ+ pieces of federal legislation, including a proposed ban on trans youth participation in athletics. We will continue to amplify calls.
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.