Speakers at rally to protect trans youth urge community to speak out against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric
Trans youth, elected officials, and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community gathered at the Oregon State Capitol on Friday afternoon to warn against growing anti-transgender political rhetoric and urge the ongoing support of transgender youth.
"We can no longer continue to allow the transphobic and targeted attacks towards our community to go unchecked," said Nancy Haque, Basic Rights Oregon’s executive director. "In Oregon, we say gay. We say trans. And we will fight to make Oregon the best state in the country to live in for our trans youth."
More than 230 anti-LBTQ bills have been introduced around the country this year, as of March, according to an NBC analysis. Oregon is no exception to growing anti-LBTQ policies, Haque said.
In Newberg, the school board banned teachers from displaying Black Lives Matter and pride flags. The policy was later changed to include banning any kind of political symbol, including BLM and LGBTQ symbols. Two teachers in Grants Pass were terminated for violating district policy by using school equipment and school district time to publicly oppose trans-inclusive policies were quietly rehired months later.
In April, community members in Salem gathered to protest Salem-Keizer's school district's new transgender student policies. and organizers of Keizer Pride Fair canceled the event this month, fearing harassment after the Reawaken America Tour, which featured election and COVID-19 conspiracy theorists and prominent figures pardoned by former President Donald Trump, drew thousands to Volcanoes Stadium.
The city of Keizer welcomed "right-wing extremists, white supremacists, and bigoted groups … who echo the anti-queer rhetoric of last year’s intruders" event organizer Claire Snyder said about the decision.
"To all of our young people, to our children, no matter who you are, who you love, no matter your race or your background or your ZIP code or lack thereof, please know that I have your back," said Gov. Kate Brown, a surprise guest at Friday event.
Every child deserves to grow up in a loving and affirming home, Brown said. She added that she has committed herself to supporting and protecting trans youth. Oregon has been a leader in the protection of the LGBTQ community but the public has to "remain vigilant," she warned.
It was a warning echoed by other speakers.
Billie Henderson, 19, shared her story of coming out during their junior year of high school at West Linn High School.
They endured years of being called slurs and at one point had their car vandalized. A walkout organized against a Chick-fil-A food truck was met by counter-protestors yelling slurs and a chant saying 'We're not anti-gay. We just want Chick-fil-A,' Henderson recounted. The experiences hurt her for a bit but Henderson has grown confident in their identity.
"I know who I am," she said.
They wanted to speak because there is youth without supportive families who are still trying to figure out who they are, Henderson said. "We need to keep fighting, we need to get loud."
Emma B., a 13-year-old transgender youth shared their own experience.
Emma knew they were transgender since she was three.
"I am a girl," was one of the first things she told her parents, she said. When Emma entered kindergarten, the school prohibited Emma from speaking about her gender identity to her friends. At their third school, school policies were better but bullying from other students began.
At 10 years old, Emma was ready to start taking puberty blockers but they were denied by insurance. Her family had to drive 2 hours from their home in Arizona to receive them. The family moved to Oregon shortly after.
"There are kids out there who don't have a voice, who don't get a chance to speak. But they deserve a right to feel safe and supported in their school and community," Emma said.
The governor urged those attending the rally to remain vocally supportive of LGBTQ youth, saying their efforts are especially important now with a U.S. Supreme Court that is majority conservative.
"Don't think they're going to stop at Roe v. Wade. They won't stop until they've rolled back the progress of the last 50 years unless we stop them," she said.
Dianne Lugo covers equity and social justice. You can reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com, 503-936-4811 or on Twitter @DianneLugo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Protect Kids Rally Salem, Oregon state capitol Gov. Kate Brown
