John,

I don't think we'll ever forget Pride Month 2020. Even though many in-person events were postponed or canceled - and I really missed getting to march in the Pride Parade as an ally - millions joined virtual events to celebrate online, SCOTUS delivered a major victory for LGBTQIA2S+ equality in the workplace, and mass protests against police brutality invoked the origin of Pride, an uprising against oppression at Stonewall.

The end of Pride Month doesn't mean we can stop focusing on the issues that affect LGBTQIA2S+ people's lives every day of the year. We still have so much to do to make Oregon more inclusive, even as one of our most progressive states. And, we can never take progress for granted.

We need to do more to look out for our LGBTQIA2S+ youth, who need stronger mental health resources in schools and programs - both curricular and extracurricular - that affirm their true identities.

LGBTQIA2S+ Oregonians still face hate-based violence and harassment, in every corner of our state. I'm determined to provide more support for victims of hate crimes and dedicate more resources to making Oregon hate-free. Yesterday, we held the first of a series of virtual Community Conversations on access, voice, justice, institutional racism/ discrimination, implicit bias, and explicit hate. We intend to take what we hear and turn it into improved practices and policies for our LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized communities.

And we need to keep challenging the politicians in Washington who oppose equality. I will continue to stand up to the Trump administration which, in just the past few weeks, pulled back a rule that protects transgender people from health care discrimination and proposed a new rule to allow federally funded homeless shelters to turn away transgender people. Trump has shown no intention of letting up - and we can never stop fighting back.

I promise to continue to use all my powers as the People's Attorney to advocate for LGBTQIA2S+ Oregonians and move our state toward true equality. I look forward to when we can be together again celebrating real progress throughout Oregon and our entire country.

Ellen



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