Weekly Update: Legal Wins, Join BRO on Lobby Day and More LGBTQ+ News

Written By Blair Stenvick

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!

Did you hear? About one in ten US adults now identify as LGBTQ, according to a new Gallup poll. That’s up from 7.6% just two years ago! Gallup credits the rise mainly to more Gen Z folks coming of age, and particularly to Gen Z bisexuals. 

Let this serve as a reminder of our progress: Together, we’ve made it safer and more accepted for people to be their full, openly queer selves, and that isn’t going to be undone overnight. You are far from alone, and they can’t erase us.

It’s a big week for bi pride!

Here are more headlines from the week:

  • Got questions about gender-affirming care policies in Oregon? The Oregon Attorney General’s office just dropped this helpful guidance explaining what your rights are, what your insurance is required to cover, and what doctors can do to assure their safety and yours.

  • Speaking of gender-affirming care: A second federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order against the anti-trans healthcare executive order—this time responding to a lawsuit that Oregon AG Dan Rayfield signed onto. Stay tuned for more updates on these two lawsuits in the next few months!

  • Meanwhile, RFK Jr. is settling into his new role as the head of Housing and Human Services, and wasting no time in using his position to attack trans people. A recent HHS document reinforces the myth that sex is a strict binary, attempting to invalidate trans identities and fully erase intersex people. It’s not clear what this will actually mean in terms of HHS policy, or if he’s just making a big fuss.

  • Back to all the good legal news! Yet another federal judge seems poised to block the ban on transgender troops in the military. The judge specifically called out the intensely transphobic language of the order. It seems that judges are not hesitating to call out the clownery of these EOs, and we love that. 

  • Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that trend continues with a new lawsuit from a group of LGBTQ+ and health nonprofits, which pushes back against the administration’s efforts to end all DEI efforts and funding, including for LGBTQ+ folks.

  • This week at the Oregon Capitol, Reps. Travis Nelson and Shannon Isadore introduced a resolution recognizing that “the Black drag community in Portland is among the most vibrant and storied in the entire United States,” and honoring the history of Black drag in Oregon. In a time when both drag and Black history is being censored, we welcome this breath of fresh air! 

  • Content warning for anti-trans violence in this blurb. You may have heard about the tragic ircumstances surrounding the murder of transgender man Sam Nordquist this week. A reminder for trans folks: You are not obligated to immerse yourself in this news, especially if your mental health is already struggling. A suggestion for our cis allies: Read this GLAAD statement about why we shouldn’t be so quick to claim this isn’t a hate crime, and consider supporting Sam’s family if you can.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Basic Rights Oregon’s Lobby Day at the Oregon Capitol is coming up! Sign up to join us on March 12 and spend the day speaking with lawmakers and their staff about issues important to LGBTQ+ Oregonians. You don’t need any particular experience to participate—just a desire to get involved.

Rep. Rob Nosse speaking with BRO supporters at a past Lobby Day.

WHEW, that’s a lot of news! Remember to take a break from the headlines this weekend if you can. We’ll be here next Friday! 

Love,

Team BRO ❤️

Blair Stenvick
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Weekly Newsletter: LGBTQ+ News Updates, Actions, and Reasons to Hope