Accept the 2024 LGBTQIA2S+ Program Report and Strategic Plan
The 2024 LGBTQIA2S+ Program Report and Strategic Plan is attached.
Official Record (Efiles)
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
Established by City Ordinance in 2011, the Office of Equity and Human Rights has been tasked with providing leadership and developing policies, practices and procedures that dismantle systems of oppression and build equitable foundations for systemically excluded and institutionally oppressed communities in Portland. In 2021, with the backing of employee and council support, the Office of Equity expanded its focus to explicitly include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) issues and hired its first LGBTQIA2S+ Policy Analyst. The creation of the LGBTQIA2S+ Program has been an important first step in formalizing the work of promoting equity and reducing disparities for the LGBTQIA2S+ community within City government. The team provides vital guidance, education and assistance to city bureaus, and has worked closely with community partners to promote LGBTQIA2S+ equity and inclusion within the city. The LGBTQIA2S+ Program has been successful in driving equity for LGBTQIA2S+ communities, but limited visibility, staffing and programmatic investment has limited the Office of Equity and Human Rights’ team from maximizing the impact it could have on addressing the numerous and unique challenges to Portland’s LGBTQIA2S+ community. The expansion of the LGBTQIA2S+ Program and the acceptance of the inaugural LGBTQIA2S+ Strategic Plan are important steps to continuing the work of promoting equity within City government, within Portland and throughout the region.
The LGBTQIA2S+ Strategic Plan provides an overview of the impact of the Program from 2021-2023, and outlines how continued investment in the program will allow for the Program to expand and better fulfill its mission to (1) provide education and technical support to City staff and elected officials; (2) identify and remove systemic barriers to fair and just distribution of resources, access, and opportunity for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and; (3) serve as the LGBTQIA2S+ community liaison. The Strategic Plan provides a blueprint for developing a City culture that celebrates LGBTQIA2S+ City employees and LGBTQIA2S+ Portland residents. Adopting the LGBTQIA2S+ Strategic Plan is a vital step for promoting LGBTIQA2S+ representation and equity within City Government and the communities the City serves.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
Acceptance/Repeit and filing of the Strategic Plan report does not have any binding financial or budgetary impacts. The Stategic Plan includes recommendations for the Program’s continued growth in staffing and ongoing programmatic investment, but these recommendations are not binding. This item does not create new positions now or in the future. This Strategic Plan recommends the staff time of two LGBTQIA2S+ Policy Analysts. One of these positions is an existing position; the other is currently one-time funded.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
The Strategic Plan was informed by and crafted in collaboration with various internal and external City partners. The Queer Alliance Employee Resource Group was given the opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback on the plan. Other internal city groups to provide feedback were the Equity Managers cohort and the Bureau of Human Resources.
The LGBTQIA2S+ Strategic Plan was presented to LGBTQIA2S+ interest-based organizations within the city of Portland and within the state. These groups included Basic Rights Oregon, Cascade AIDS Project, Oregon Pride in Business, and New Avenues for Youth.
The referenced organizations have all endorsed and expressed their support of the plan. Representatives from Basic Rights Oregon and Cascade AIDS Project, as well as the city’s internal Queer Alliance, will serve as invited testimony for this item.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable.
Financial and Budget Analysis
No financial impact.