 LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Package
I am proud to have brought forward the LGBTQIA2S+ Protection Package at Thursday's Council meeting, and even prouder of the people who showed up in force to shape it. Thank you to everyone who testified, emailed, and shared your stories, especially on such short notice. Your voices matter, and they are moving this conversation forward.
As a teacher and a parent, I have seen families come to Portland because they believe this is a place where their transgender child can thrive, where a multi-parent or nontraditional family can live more safely and openly. At a time when transphobic and homophobic attacks are escalating across the country, we must be clear, courageous, and precise in how we protect our community.
Community testimony made it clear: intent is not enough. We must say what we mean. That’s why I also introduced an amendment that would strengthen and clarify the definition of “family or relationship structure” so that multi-partner, multi-parent, consensually non-monogamous, asexual, aromantic, multi-generational, and diverse family structures are explicitly included. The amendment language mirrors protections already adopted in Oakland and Berkeley, and reflects recommendations from the LGBTQ+ Advocacy Clinic at Harvard Law School. Other cities have implemented this language without legal or administrative issues, and our community deserves that same clarity and protection.
Policy is strongest when it centers those most impacted. Thank you to all of you who have made your voice heard. We'll be discussing the package again at next Wednesday's Council meeting that starts at 9:30 a.m.
 Day of Remembrance at State Capitol
Thursday morning I was at the State Capitol Building in Salem to mark a Day of Remembrance for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942. The order authorized the U.S. military to forcibly remove and incarcerate 125,000+ immigrants and U.S. citizens of Japanese descent during World War II, including members of my own family. We were honored to be joined by three survivors of internment camps across the West. A huge thank you to the organizers of this important event for all the work to help us remember and stay connected.
 Native American Youth and Family Center Visit
I had a wonderful tour of the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) on Friday. I am so grateful for the powerful work they do, and am inspired by all the programs and services they offer to uplift Native youth, families, and communities in the Portland area!
At NAYA’s main campus on Columbia Blvd. and their economic development office, munk-yeʔlan sax̣ali (which means “to help up, to boost” in Chinook) on NE 42nd, they offer early learning and youth programs like Head Start, preschool and child care, afterschool programs and camps, the Two Spirit Safe Space Alliance, and Many Nations Academy high school, as well as vital health, housing, and economic development support. We also connected with small and BIPOC-owned business leaders in the Cully neighborhood about how the city can better support their success.
It’s beautiful to witness how intentionally NAYA fosters belonging, cultural connection, and opportunity, through their vibrant community garden, arts and cultural gatherings, community groups and more. I encourage Portlanders to learn more about their work and ways to get involved at NAYA’s website.
Avel Gordly Remembrance
I want to take a moment to honor Avel Gordly, who died on Monday. Senator Gordly was a trailblazer in every sense: as Oregon’s first Black woman elected to the state Senate, and one of the first Black women to serve in the Legislature, she opened doors that had long been closed to women of color in Portland and across our state. Her leadership carried the voices, needs, and dignity of Black Oregonians into spaces that too often excluded them.
Her long legacy of advocacy for social justice, civil rights, education reform, and mental health reform will continue to be celebrated. OHSU opened the Avel Gordly Center for Healing, dedicated to culturally specific behavioral health services, in 2008. In 2009, Albina Head Start recognized her by renaming its administrative headquarters in her honor. May we commit to carrying her work forward, with deep gratitude and responsibility.
Day of Remembrance Anti-ICE Rally
Oregon Tsuru for Solidarity and the Portland Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) will hold a Day of Remembrance: Rally to Resist ICE this Sunday, February 22. I will be emceeing at the gathering, which will begin at Elizabeth Caruthers Park, 3508 S Moody Ave., at 2 p.m. A rally featuring Portland Taiko, a candle lighting ceremony, and speakers including Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, Together Lab, and survivors and descendants of WWII incarceration will be followed by a four-block procession to the Portland ICE facility, 4310 S Macadam Ave., where a peaceful vigil will be held. All are welcome.
Visiting Writer Garrett Bucks
Writer Garrett Bucks will be presenting a workshop, “How to Change Someone Else’s Mind” from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow, February 21 at Trinity Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Ave. You can register here.
District 3 Local Transportation Funding
The Portland Bureau of Transportation will hold a District 3 Local Transportation Funding Open House from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 in the Atkinson Elementary School Cafeteria, 5800 SE Division St. Local transportation funding issues and solutions will be presented, and participants will be given a chance to give feedback on the options to raise money, what the city would spend the money on, and ways to review the spending.
Each district will have an open house on this topic over the next few weeks. If in-person doesn’t work for you, PBOT’s online open house and survey is now open.
City Budget Planning
The city’s 12-month financial cycle runs July 1 through June 30. There are several opportunities for community members to learn more about the budget process and provide input. Right now you can watch videos about how the budget process works, provide input and comments, take a survey at the city budget office website, and explore the Introduction to the Budget and budget balancing tool to explore priorities and trade offs
Portland Office of Small Business Office Hours
Portland Office of Small Business liaisons hold monthly office hours, where people can drop by, ask questions, and get advice. This month the land use services team from Portland Permitting and Development will be there to answer questions. For District 3, the time is 10 to 11:30 a.m. February 27 at Bar Carlo, 6433 SE Foster Rd. You can get more information or make an appointment here.
PBOT Administrative Rules Review
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) would like public input on its proposed updates to administrative rules.
The one getting the most attention is about automated vehicles (AVs), which I wrote about in last week’s newsletter. PBOT is proposing an update to the rule adopted by City Council in 2018, which was intended to regulate the testing of AVs and limit the commercial deployment of AVs for-hire on Portland streets. A hybrid public hearing will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. City staff will give an overview of the rule and allow time for testimony. PBOT's Updates to Automated Vehicles administrative rule webpage has links to attend the meeting virtually. Anyone offering testimony should sign up here. Public comments can be submitted to pbotpolicycomments@portlandoregon.gov until 5 p.m. April 4.
Other PBOT rules being updated are Encroachments in the Public Right-of-Way, Transportation Demand Management Plans for Residential Uses, and Driveways: Operation and Location. Public comments about these three rules can be submitted to pbotpolicycomments@portlandoregon.gov until 5 p.m. on March 20.
 Native Made Spring Market
Native American Youth and Family Center’s Native Made Spring Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 7 and 8 in the former Ulta space in Lloyd Center Mall.
NAYA’s Spring Business Mixer will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 13 at NAYA’s Saxali office, 4636 NE 42nd Ave., suite B.
Future Prairie Shows
Future Prairie, a community-based organization for LGBTQIA+ Oregon-based working-class artists, is producing two shows to be held at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate Ave. Admission is free for both events.
“Speed Friending: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart,” will be from 7 to 9 p.m. March 5. A discussion on building lasting creative friendships and artmaking partnerships, hosted by singer Emmanuel “Onry” Henreid, muralist Jax Ko and gospel singer Saeeda Wright, will be followed by guided networking rounds.
“Onry’s Albina Homecoming Show: An Evening of Dance and Music” will be from 7 to 9 p.m. March 12.
Homeless Response System Report
The Multnomah County Homelessness Response System team has published its February quarterly report. Most of the program goals were met or exceeded, but homelessness is still growing. The report shows that the county sheltered or housed 23,301 people in two years, which is a 46% increase compared to the two years prior. That expansion has not been enough to keep up with increased inflow to homelessness, which currently outpaces outflow from homelessness by an average of more than 270 people per month.
The study also found that permanent supportive housing, that combines housing and wrap-around services to provide stability to people, is a highly effective intervention. Throughout initial implementation, the county has exceeded goals to retain more than 75% of people in permanent supportive housing, 24 months after placement. There’s a lot to keep track of, and so much more to be done! The full report is here.
Personal Safety Community Resources
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is working to put together a transportation system that allows all people to feel safe getting where they need to go. There are free, accessible personal safety resources for community members at their website, including how to report a non-urgent traffic safety concern, report bias and hate (Oregon Department of Justice), and participate in a self-defense workshop.
Urban Forestry's 2025 Planting Report is Now Available
Urban Forestry’s 2025 Annual Tree Planting Report is now available! The report shares maps and data on the city’s tree planting efforts. Urban Forestry not only plants trees but also provides ongoing care to increase their chances of long-term survival.
Some highlights:
- Nearly 12,000 trees were planted by Urban Forestry, other city programs, and their partners in fiscal year 2025 (July 2024-June 2025).
- 94% of parks and school plantings are alive after one year.
- More than 80% of yard tree giveaway trees are alive after five years.
94% of free street tree plantings are alive after five years.
If this was forwarded to you, you can sign up for our weekly newsletter here!
|
