Basic Rights Education Fund

Basic Rights Oregon will ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, intersex, and asexual Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories.

To ensure that all LGBTQ Oregonians live free from discrimination and be treated with dignity and re

Goal One: To create a pipeline of transgender and BIPOC LGBTQ leaders in our state.

Goal Two: To move hearts and minds in favor of LGBTQ equality in Oregon, particularly around issues involving trans and BIPOC LGBTQ community members.

Goal Three: Provide the first line of defense against anti-LGBTQ discrimination in our state.

Last fall, we paid for our entire staff to attend the Equality Federation's annual conference. The Equality Federation is the umbrella group for state-based LGBTQ policy and advocacy organization's like ours. This was a chance for us to attend workshops and plenaries on topics relating directly to our work. It was also an opportunity to meet and trade notes with leaders in our sector working around the country. This past winter our staff were encouraged to submit workshop proposals for the Creating Change Conference, another annual national event for LGBTQ activists. The organization paid for the two staff members whose proposals were accepted, as well as one other staffer to attend the conference, allowing them the opportunity to share their ideas with colleagues and leaders from around the country.

Our adaptation mostly involved moving activities and events we normally conduct in person onto virtual platforms. For instance, last year was our 25th anniversary. A former executive director offered to host an anniversary party for us in June, to coincide with Pride. Ordinarily, the event would have been held in a supporter's yard, where guests could enjoy the summer weather. Instead it was a Zoom event. While this was a little disappointing, it was still a big success. Our leadership development programs experienced similar changes. Rather than holding weekend retreats at retreat centers around the center as they'd normally do, this year's cohorts met virtually for extended sessions. We used our office sparingly, going in one or two at a time, for large printing jobs, our video recording sessions. Staff meetings and board meetings were all held remotely. Our advocacy work was also done remotely. Meetings with legislators, state officials and coalition partners, which once would have been held in person, were now conducted as video conferences. We're happy to share that our effectiveness was not diminished, and our progress toward equality continued to move forward despite the changes. While last summer it briefly looked like vaccines meant our world was going to open again we began planning for an in person gala in October. We knew our community longed to celebrate together again. As Delta began to surge, though, we made yet another pivot, arranging to hold a virtual event again. We're proud to have maintained our community's trust and retained our entire staff during a time when the way we did our jobs all changed virtually overnight.