Oregon strengthens LGBTQ+ protections in the state

(OCTOBER 25, 2019) A new executive order from Oregon Governor Kate Brown will protect trans and non-binary Oregonians from discrimination by any state agency. It updates an existing LGBTQ+ policy from 1987 that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. The new executive order now prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity at all state agencies. This includes accessing services, applying for state funding, and competing for government work. It also applies to public schools and prisons.

A trans person is someone who has a gender identity or gender expression that is different than their assigned sex; for example, a person who is biologically female but does not identify as female. A non-binary person is someone who identifies as neither male or female. Sexual orientation describes a person's feelings of physical attraction for members of the opposite or the same sex. LGBTQ+ refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and other sexual identities.

“Progress matters, and recognition matters. The long-standing executive order needed to be updated to reflect current law and understandings about sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Governor Kate Brown. “There are more sexual orientations than just gay and lesbian. And there are more than two gender identities. Recognizing everyone is one step closer to a more inclusive and welcoming Oregon.

Brown herself is bisexual and was the first openly LGBTQ+ person to be elected governor of a US state.

“We do this work for kids in schools who should not be forced to conform to a binary just to use a restroom or locker room,” Brown said. “We do it for transgender adults in custody who deserve to feel safe while they serve their sentence… and we do it for the teeny but loud part of our brains that say ‘Don’t make waves. Be grateful for what you have.’ These recognitions matter because everyday patterns scale up to everyday behaviors.”