Weekly Update: Gender-Affirming Care for Adults Targeted, Corvallis Is Oregon’s First Trans Sanctuary City, and More
Hi, BRO Friends!
We hate to start with bad news, but we want to acknowledge up top that it’s a hard time to be a trans right now, and not just in the US; the UK’s Supreme Court ruled this week that trans women aren’t legally considered women under their equalities law. There is some good news ahead, but here’s a reminder to our cis readers to show your support for your trans loved ones this weekend.
Here’s more LGBTQ+ news you should know this week:
Corvallis became Oregon’s first trans, intersex, and gender-diverse sanctuary city this week! That means the city won’t use police or any other resources to discriminate against, or block services for, trans people, regardless of what any national, state, or out-of-state laws say.
A quick catch-up on what’s been happening between Trump and the state of Maine: Maine Gov. Janet Mills has been a national leader in speaking up in support of trans kids playing sports. That led the White House to attempt to freeze federal funding for Maine, which a federal judge ruled against earlier this week. Now, the Trump admin is digging in, with the Department of Justice suing Maine over its trans-inclusive policy.
Considering that Oregon is also being targeted for trans-inclusive school policies, the outcome of this lawsuit could have implications for us. We’ll be keeping an eye on it and keeping you updated.
Here’s some concerning but still unfinished news: Dr. Oz (yes, that Dr. Oz, and yes, he’s now in charge of our Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and Trump are trying to make it illegal for states to use Medicaid and Medicare to cover gender-affirming care—for both youth and adults. This move has not been finalized yet, and it’s getting pushback even from within the healthcare insurance industry. If it does go into effect, there would likely be an immediate lawsuit from states that do cover gender-affirming care (which includes Oregon).
Our friends at ACLU of Oregon and Innovation Law Lab are making big moves! We’re proud to stand in solidarity with this fight for immigrant rights:
Oregon has joined other progressive states in filing an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case over whether public school districts can have LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum without an opt-out for discriminatory parents. The brief cites Brown v. Board of Education in arguing against discrimination in public education.
Ending our news section with a bright spot: A bill that will expand access to HIV prevention medications passed through the Oregon House with bipartisan support this week!
Here’s what you can do:
Our Equal Rights for All events are always a good time.
Calling all small businesses, self-employed folks, performers, or anyone who likes to throw a good party! You can now host a fundraiser for the Equal Rights for All ballot measure, which will affirm LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights in the Oregon Constitution. Learn more here.
If volunteering is more your style, we can always use more help collecting signatures for the ERA as well.
Want to support Oregon LGBTQ+ youth who need it the most? Consider attending Fostering Pride to learn more about becoming a resource (foster) family dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth in foster care. No commitment needed to attend!
That’s it for this week. Thanks for reading! Remember: They want us to feel isolated right now, but we’re stronger together.