Portland City Councilors Introduce LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Resolution and Ordinance

On Thursday, February 19, the Portland City Council will consider the LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Package. Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane and co-sponsors Councilor Angelita Morillo, Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney, Councilor Dan Ryan, and Councilor Eric Zimmerman are proud to advance the longstanding work of City of Portland staff and LGBTQIA2S+ community members.

The LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Package reflects years of advocacy by community members, organizations and City staff to defend LGBTQIA2S+ Portlanders, uplift community voices, and advance equity and LGBTQIA2S+ justice, and comes at a time when the LGBTQIA2S+ community is actively under threat by the federal government and states across the country.

The LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Package consists of one Resolution and one Ordinance. The Resolution establishes that individuals have the right to seek, obtain, or provide gender-affirming care that is legal in the state of Oregon, no matter where they are from, and that the City of Portland will not use any resources to support anti-trans criminalization efforts from outside jurisdictions. It affirms the Oregon State Legislature's efforts to protect the LGBTQIA2S+ community and calls upon the State to continue to fight against hate and discrimination.

The Ordinance amends outdated Civil Rights Code and expands nondiscrimination protections. The code changes remove outdated language, which has not been enforced for years but is still on the books, criminalizing bathroom access in City Code Chapter 14.a.50.110. It expands nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations by updating definitions of sexual orientation and family and relationship structure in City Code Chapter 23.01 Civil Rights. These code changes will improve protections for Portlanders and make it clear that the City of Portland supports and protects the rights of all families in our community.

"There are many wonderful ways people form families, and it is essential that they have full legal and social protection to live their love. I am proud to champion this legislation, which respects people's choices and relationships, provides security for children, partners, and parents, and celebrates the many beautiful ways people find family," Councilor Koyama Lane said. "As a teacher and parent, I know that every child deserves to be affirmed for who they are and every family deserves to feel safe and supported."

"As members of my community face increasing and illegal discrimination from the federal government, it is critical that our laws are up-to-date and that anybody coming to Portland seeking a safe place to raise their family or receive medical treatment can do so without fear," said Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney. "The code cleanups and updates in this package are long overdue."

"This legislation formalizes inclusion of historically marginalized Portlanders especially at this time of exclusion policies and practices coming from the federal government. I am proud to represent our City in supporting my LGBTQIA2S+ community during this particularly difficult time and into the future," said Councilor Dan Ryan.

Sponsors of the package are Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane (District 3), and all four of the out LGBTQIA2S+ members of City Council: Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney (District 2), Councilor Dan Ryan (District 2), Councilor Angelita Morillo (District 3), and Councilor Eric Zimmerman (District 4).

The LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Resolution and Ordinance will be heard by the full City Council on February 19.

Links to the Resolution and Ordinance can be found here:

Resolution: Declare the City of Portland will defend the rights of transgender people and all of the LGBTQIA2S+ community

Ordinance: Amend Civil Rights Code related to sexual orientation and family status definitions and amend nondiscrimination clauses (amend Code Section 14A.50.110 and Code Chapter 23.01)

Press Contact: Cara Althoff - [email protected]