 Guest Column from Aubri!
Hi folks!
My name is Aubri Qian (she/her), and I’m one of Tiffany’s Senior Aides! This week, the LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Package was passed by the City Council, and I’m thrilled that I get the opportunity to write about these policies and share with everyone in the newsletter.
Before joining the team, I served as one of the two LGBTQIA2S+ Policy Analysts at the City’s Office of Equity and Human Rights. In 2024, Portland City Commissioners adopted the LGBTQIA2S+ Strategic Plan. The following year, because of that plan, the Office of Equity presented several pro-LGBTQIA2S+ policy recommendations to the newly elected city councilors. Since the start, Tiffany was vocal and supportive of these policies, and last summer, when Tiffany invited me to join the team and work on the LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Package, I was happy to join!
Now, let’s talk policy. There are two key policies in the package, and they both expand protections for our LGBTQIA2S+ community. The first policy is our LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Resolution. Resolutions are policies expressing the opinion of city councilors and provide guidance to staff that work for the City of Portland. Our resolution provides protection for transgender people and healthcare providers, and makes sure that the City of Portland, as an institution, won’t do anything to help other jurisdictions that have criminalized gender-affirming care.
The second policy in the package is our LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Ordinance. Ordinances are exciting because they have the power to change our City Code, which are the laws that govern our city. The LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Ordinance does two things. First, it updates a section of Title 14 in our City Code, which is our code section on Police and Public Order. Our ordinance removes outdated language in the section about bathrooms. The Portland Police Bureau updated its internal procedures on bathroom misconduct several years ago after actively engaging with LGBTIQA2S+ advocates. This was a simple update to bring City Code to reflect our actual practices.
Our LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Ordinance also improves Title 23, our Civil Rights code, by expanding who is protected by our civil rights protections. Our ordinance updates the definition of “Family.” The previous definition didn’t recognize the diverse families we see in our communities today. We updated that definition so it clearly includes stepfamilies, multi-generational families, consensually non-monogamous families, and all of the other diverse ways that we form and choose our families. We believe that every family deserves the civil rights protections that some of us take for granted, and I’m proud of our office for fighting for those rights.
While I’m thrilled to see these protections passed, I also want to take a moment to acknowledge how difficult things are for our transgender community right now. As an out, transgender woman of color, I’m horrified by the anti-trans legislation being passed in so many states across our country. In these times, I hope victories like these can provide a small amount of hope.
Thank you for reading, and thank you all for your testimony, your written comments, your emails, and your support. Democracy is a group project, and we wouldn’t have been able to pass these policies without the community coming and showing up. Over 40 people signed up to provide testimony at City Hall, and dozens more sent emails, left written comments, and showed up with signs in support of this package. Thank you everyone; I’m excited to continue fighting for our neighbors and community together!
 Royal Rose Foundation Rosebuds
Last Friday afternoon I got to meet with the Royal Rose Foundation’s youth ambassador group, the Rosebuds. The Royal Rose Foundation does so much amazing work in the community – community-centered harm reduction, fentanyl education, mutual aid, advocacy and more — and is housed at the SE Uplift building, 3534 SE Main.
One of the Rosebuds asked what gives me hope, and I could honestly answer: groups like this! Youth are not only our future, they are helping shape a better present. The Rosebuds had great questions about getting involved in government, making real change, and how to accelerate community improvements. I’m excited to see these bright, thoughtful and compassionate young people grow into leadership positions in the community. A huge thank you to Royal Rose for inviting me!
 Creston Eagle Eye Newspaper and Career Fair at Scott ES
This week I had some wonderful visits with Creston Elementary School’s Eagle Eye newspaper crew and with third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Scott Elementary School’s Career Fair. I’m so excited about all the connections these students are making with their communities, and am grateful for the teachers making these opportunities possible.
 PDX Saints Love Gala
Hearing the success stories at PDX Saints Love Restoration of Love Gala Wednesday night was inspiring, and I was honored to be part of the event. I’m so grateful for the work PDX Saints Love does in our community, which includes helping the houseless community with day shelter services, meals, housing support and more.
 Community Conversation
Come join the conversation – I would love to hear from you! Bring your questions, your issues, and your concerns for an evening of community connection THURSDAY, March 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at APANO’s Community Room, 8188 SE Division St. Metro District 6 Councilor Duncan Hwang will be joining me to discuss the latest updates, and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to let us know you’re coming!
Min Yasui Pre-Gavel Ceremony
Please come join us to honor the legacy of Min Yasui, who championed the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II, at a gathering starting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 in the City Hall atrium on the ground floor. A pre-gavel proclamation will follow at the beginning of the Council meeting at 6 p.m. All are invited to join us and refreshments will be served.
Buckman Art Show & Sell
The 36th annual Art Show & Sell, featuring more than 100 regional artists alongside student work, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday March 14, at Buckman Elementary School, 320 SE 16th Avenue.
Safe Ride Home Program
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is offering Safe Ride Home coupons for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations through Tuesday, March 17. Discounts on taxi, Lyft, and Uber rides are valid for rides starting in the Portland city limits daily from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. each night. You can download a coupon here now.
Public Utility Board Seeking Members
Applications are open for the The Portland Utility Board through April 1. Members meet twice monthly (3:30 to 5 p.m. first Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. third Thursdays) to influence budget and policy work for the Water Bureau, Environmental Services, Public Works Service Area, and City Council. No prior experience is required, and you can apply here.
Oregon For All Phone Banking
One way to support immigrant justice in our communities is to sign up to phone bank for Oregon for All, a coalition of more than 100 organizations including the Oregon Food Bank. No experience is necessary, and sessions are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 25 and April 8, 22 and 29.
I had a fun interview with Alon Raab of KBOO’s Bike Show recently. You can listen here: https://portlandtransport.com/archives/2026/03/kboo-bike-show-portland-city-council-and-oral-history.html
From the OPB article about the process of funding Moda Center renovations:
“Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane is one of several councilors focused on cementing those terms to ‘deliver real benefits’ to Portlanders. She has raised concerns with the way Blazers lobbyists have used this funding deal to threaten councilors. Koyama Lane told OPB that, through conversations, these lobbyists ‘have made it clear that elected officials will be blamed if the team leaves Portland.’ Koyama Lane was the only City Council member to not sign onto a Feb. 26 letter sent by Wilson and councilors cheering the Moda Center funding bill’s progress in the Capitol.”
Coverage of our LGBTQIA2S+ package includes KOIN’s "A Win for dignity" piece and an article in The Oregonian.
Virtual Budget Learning Session
Budget season is upon us! A recording of the Virtual Budget Learning Session recently held is here. You can learn where funding comes from, how it is spent, explore the interactive budgeting dashboard tool, and hear answers to questions from community members.
TriMet Changes Proposed
After 13 open house events, a survey that drew more than 8,100 responses, and other outreach, TriMet has announced changes to 34 lines.The updated proposal is here, and a map to see changes is here.
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