Weekly Update: Queer Culture is Under Attack. Here’s How You Can Resist!
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.
Hi BRO friends,
Oregon has seen a mix of rainy and sunny weather this week, and you know what that means: It’s rainbow season! Speaking of rainbows, here’s the latest news and action items for LGBTQ+ Oregonians.
More than half of all books banned in the US last year featured LGBTQ+ characters and/or characters of color, according to a new PEN American report. “This targeted censorship amounts to a harmful assault on historically marginalized and underrepresented populations — a dangerous effort to erase their stories, achievements, and history from schools,” Sabrina Baêta of PEN America, said in a statement.
That report gives you yet another reason to make sure we’re all resisting these book bans in Oregon! Fortunately, BRO is supporting Freedom to Read, an anti-book ban bill in the Oregon Legislature that has a hearing next week. We need YOU to let lawmakers know that Oregonians don’t support book bans—submit written testimony or sign up for verbal public comment here!
A banned book reading list, courtesy of New York Public Library.
More censorship news: Thanks to the new federal witch hunt against diversity, equity and inclusion, the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, DC is cancelling shows spotlighting LGBTQ+ and Black artists. Let this serve as a reminder to us all to support work by queer artists and artists of color whenever we can!
Speaking of witch hunts, the Department of Education has a new website dedicating to soliciting tips against schools that are LGBTQ+ affirming and teach diverse, accurate curriculum to their students. The form is open to anyone to fill out. Considering all the budget cuts happening right now, it’s unclear how many tips will be investigated—and many new policies against LGBTQ+ youth are already being held up in court.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a new law that takes away existing anti-discrimination protections for transgender Iowans. So many important LGBTQ+ policies happen at the state level, and fortunately Oregon has a strong pro-equality majority in Salem. You can help trans Iowans by supporting the work of One Iowa, the state’s LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.
Reminder: You can sign up to join Basic Rights Oregon for our Lobby Day on Wednesday, March 12!
The Equal Rights for All campaign is hosting launch parties throughout Oregon in March! Join us.
Today marks the end of Black History Month, and BRO has been remembering some pivotal Black LGBTQ+ folks from throughout history. Let’s let the sounds of Sylvester, iconic gay Black disco artists, carry us into the weekend! From everyone at BRO, please take care. 🌈