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37743

Label: Resolution

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

Adopted
Amended by Council

WHEREAS, the City of Portland recognizes the inherent worth and equal rights of all people, including transgender people and all LGBTQIA2S+ people, and seeks to provide a safe and welcoming environment for those who reside in, work in, or visit the City; and

WHEREAS, thus far in the 2026 legislative session, 420 anti-LGBTQIA2S+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country; and

WHEREAS in U.S. v. Skrmetti, the Supreme Court attacked the civil liberties of the transgender community by upholding the state bans on vital, evidence-based, life-saving gender-affirming healthcare for youth; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland has a long history of supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and specifically the transgender community, in ways that include but are not limited to, celebrating  of Pride and Transgender Day of Visibility in Portland City Council Chambers, providing robust gender affirming care employee benefits, supporting pro-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation, supporting the development of an LGBTQIA2S+ Program within the Office of Equity, providing training opportunities for staff to learn how to be strong allies to the LGBTQIA2S+ community, developing strong Human Resources Administrative Rules that affirm that no City employee can be discriminated against based on gender identity or gender expression in any aspect of employment, supporting the LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project, and providing support for community spaces that honor the contributions of LGBTQIA2S+ Portlanders; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 23 of Portland City Code states that "It is the policy of the City to eliminate discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. Such discrimination poses a threat to the health, safety and general welfare of Portland community members and menaces the institutions and foundation of our community."; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland supports the Oregon Legislature's demonstrated commitment to protecting transgender and LGBTQIA2S+ people including but not limited to the passage of the LGBTQIA2S+ Student Success plan, the Oregon Equality Act, the Oregon Family Fairness Act, and House Bill 2002 (2023) which clarifies and protects provider and patient rights in regard to gender-affirming care and requires insurance coverage of medically necessary gender-affirming care, as well as the prohibition of conversion therapy; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland unequivocally supports the LGBTQIA2S+ community members and their families who are fleeing anti-LGBTQIA2S+ States and Cities, and affirms the right for these people to live in a city that is supportive and welcoming; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland unequivocally supports the rights of individuals to seek, obtain, or provide gender-affirming care that is legal in the state of Oregon; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland unequivocally supports the right of LGBTQIA2S+ young people to be affirmed in their identities; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City will, in a manner consistent with Oregon and federal law, prohibit the use of City funds, facilities, properties, personnel, technology, or equipment to enforce or facilitate the collection of any out-of-state judgment entered, or criminal investigation, or prosecution in another state to the extent the judgment, investigation, or prosecution arises out of other jurisdictions' criminalization or penalization of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people access to healthcare that is lawful in Oregon. Identical protections shall apply to any other persons or entities who provide support to transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people to access healthcare that is lawful in Oregon; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City of Portland calls on the State to continue passing legislation that protects the rights of LGBTQIA2S+ people, especially transgender people, and continue to provide resources to community organizations that directly support the health and well-being of the LGBTQIA2S+ community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City of Portland reaffirms its commitment to LGBTQIA2S+ equity and commitment to fostering a community where all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity can live authentically and thrive.

Impact Statement

Purpose of proposed legislation and background information

The Resolution reiterates and supports previous resolutions supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community, especially the transgender and nonbinary community. The Resolution clarifies and reiterates current law enforcement practices and reaffirms a commitment to practices consistent with Oregon law. The City is prohibited from using resources to support the prosecution or penalization of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people's access to healthcare that is lawful in Oregon.

The purpose is to express the City Council's support the LGTBQIA2S+ community, and clarify current practices and procedures.

Financial and budgetary impacts

There are no anticipated financial nor budgetary impacts for the City. Staffing levels are unaffected, and staff time is not required by the Resolution's directives.

Economic and real estate development impacts

Not applicable.

Community impacts and community involvement

Predecessor versions of this Resolution were initially drafted in collaboration between Commissioner Mapps' Office and the Office of Equity and Human Rights staff in 2022, with revisions continuing through 2023-2025. Community engagement was spearheaded by OEHR staff. Staff had conversations with local LGBTQIA2S+ organizations, including, but not limited to, Basic Rights Oregon, the Organization for Polyamory and Ethical Non-monogamy, and the American Civil Liberties Union. Organizations raised concerns that the resolution did not go far enough in expanding protections for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Additionally, organizations raised the concern that the City of Portland's commitment to equity did not include financial support for LGBTQIA2S+-led organizations advancing LGBTQIA2S+ equity.

Community organizations expressed support for expanding definitions of family status. However, organizations also expressed concern that, without an explicit expanded definition of family, the ordinance and resolution could unintentionally exclude non-discrimination protections for multi-partner families. 

100% renewable goal

Not applicable.

Economic and real estate development analysis

Analysis provided by Prosper Portland

An Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis was not submitted for this proposed action. Pursuant to City Council Resolution 37664, Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the action and agree that it does not require an Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis.

Document history

Document number: 2026-074

President's referral: City Council

Agenda Council action
Regular agenda
City Council
Continued as amended
Motion to amend Resolution as shown in Koyama Lane 1: Moved by Koyama Lane and seconded by Ryan. (Aye (10): Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Dunphy; Nay (1): Smith; Absent (1): Morillo)

Continued as amended to February 25, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
Regular agenda
City Council
Postponed as amended
Motion table Items 2026-073 and 2026-074: Moved by Pirtle-Guiney and seconded by Zimmerman. Motion withdrawn.

Motion to postpone Items 2026-073 and 2026-074 to next Wednesday's meeting: Moved by Morillo and seconded by Zimmerman.

Motion to divide the question to vote on Items 2026-073 and 2026-074 separately: Moved by Morillo.

Vote called to postpone Item 2026-074 to next Wednesday's meeting: (Aye (9): Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Green, Zimmerman, Dunphy; Nay (1): Smith; Absent (2): Ryan, Clark)

Postponed as amended to March 4, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
Regular agenda
City Council
Rescheduled
Regular agenda
City Council
Adopted as amended

Votes
  • Aye (12):
    • Avalos
    • Smith
    • Kanal
    • Pirtle-Guiney
    • Ryan
    • Koyama Lane
    • Morillo
    • Novick
    • Clark
    • Green
    • Zimmerman
    • Dunphy

Document number

2026-074

Service area

Contact

Aubri Qian

Senior Council Aide, Council Vice President Koyama Lane

Devin Mullins

Policy Manager, Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney

Lex Jakusovszky

Senior LGBTQIA2S+ Policy Analyst

Luke Zak

Policy Director, Councilor Eric Zimmerman

Suzy Deuster

Policy Advisor, Councilor Angelita Morillo

Agenda type

Regular

Date and time information

Meeting date
Amount of time requested
5 minutes
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