Weekly Update: School Board Endorsements & Actions, Oregon Schools Stand Up to Trump, 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.
Happy Friday, BRO friends!
We’ll start today’s newsletter with a reason to be proud to be an Oregonian: For Transgender Day of Visibility last week, state reps took to the Oregon House and Senate floors to speak up in support of their trans constituents. As other state legislatures across the country are ripping away trans rights, this couldn’t come at a more important time:
Here’s what else you should know this week:
Some breaking news from the Oregonian yesterday: “Oregon’s state schools chief said Thursday that the state will not comply with the Trump administration’s ultimatum to shut down diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its public schools or risk losing federal funding.” This is how you stand up to fascism: By simply not abiding it.
Believe it or not, it’s election season again! Oregon school board elections happen next month, and BRO recently released our endorsements. Note: We don’t have capacity to make endorsements in every race, but these candidates are particularly strong champions for queer and trans youth. If you’re wanting more info on who’s running in your district, look for other endorsements from local organizations you trust.
Freedom to Read, our state bill that will make it harder to ban books in schools and libraries for discriminatory reasons, has passed through the Oregon Senate! It’s now headed to the House.
Thinking about summer vacation plans? Trans journalist Erin Read has updated her Anti-Trans National Risk Assessment Map, providing a thorough breakdown of which states are safest for trans folks, which ones are on the line, and which states you should absolutely avoid if possible.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the presidential administration has sunk to new lows by issuing a proclamation claiming that supporting LGBTQ+ youth amounts to child abuse. This is a disgusting attack against our community, and also diminishes efforts to prevent actual child abuse, which LGBTQ+ kids are sadly more at risk for. That said, don’t lose sight of the fact that this is just a press release, and does not carry any legal weight whatsoever. It’s an attempt to exhaust our community even further, but we’re keeping our eyes on what matters.
And here’s what you can do:
Exciting news: We’re launching a new School Board Action Network to support activism at the local level! Anti-LGBTQ+ policies and rhetoric have been bubbling up from school boards in recent years, so our community needs to keep working to hold the line. Join our inaugural virtual meeting this Thursday evening to learn more about what we’ll be doing and how you can help.
For Portland area folks, check out this event happening tomorrow at the Equi Center:
April 21 is National HIV Testing Day. Thanks to our friends at Quest Center, you can get free HIV and STI testing AND hit the roller rink at Oaks Amusement Park—more details here.
The evening of Tuesday, April 15, McMenamin’s Ringlers Pub in downtown Portland will be donating 50% of proceeds to Basic Rights Oregon. If you’re in the area, stop by for a beer and some tots!
Need help navigating a name and/or gender change on your legal documents? OUTlaws and University of Oregon is hosting a legal clinic next Saturday, April 19.
This one is for Clatsop County folks: The Lower Columbia Q Center has a new LGBTQ+ college scholarship fund named after local trans leader Tessa Scheller. Check out the details and share with any LGBTQ+ young people who might be interested!
And finally, here is your regular reminder that the Equal Rights for All Campaign needs your help collecting signatures for our 2026 LGBTQ+ and reproductive freedom ballot measure!
Thanks for reading, and for taking action! We’ve seen an incredible strength and willingness to get involved during this tough time for LGBTQ+ folks, and we’re so grateful to be in community with you. Now go do something fun this weekend!