ALL OF THE BOLD TEXT CONTAIN LINKS.
Below we have information on scholarships, our mentor program, resources and services provided by L&C and LGBTQ2SIA+ organizations, and information on the the Portland & Oregon legal community. Always remember that you can use any of the board members as a resource for you and your needs. Additionally, our instagram page (@outlawlclaw) is often updated with resources! Feel free to email us if you know other groups to add to this list or if any of these resources are out of date.
OUTLAW MENTORS:
We are always looking for "OutLaw Mentors" in the current legal profession who are open to having their contact information posted here. As an OutLaw Mentor, you may be contacted by OutLaw members for a cup of coffee or for guidance throughout their law school experience. Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to offer your help and become a mentor.
Law students: we will not do formal pairing, as there may be too many mentees per mentor, but feel free to contact anyone from the list. They have signed up to help you! We will have an OutLaw mentors/mentees event this year where you can mingle with the new mentors. We will have our more formal attorney/legal professional panel event in the spring.
Below we have information on scholarships, our mentor program, resources and services provided by L&C and LGBTQ2SIA+ organizations, and information on the the Portland & Oregon legal community. Always remember that you can use any of the board members as a resource for you and your needs. Additionally, our instagram page (@outlawlclaw) is often updated with resources! Feel free to email us if you know other groups to add to this list or if any of these resources are out of date.
OUTLAW MENTORS:
We are always looking for "OutLaw Mentors" in the current legal profession who are open to having their contact information posted here. As an OutLaw Mentor, you may be contacted by OutLaw members for a cup of coffee or for guidance throughout their law school experience. Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to offer your help and become a mentor.
Law students: we will not do formal pairing, as there may be too many mentees per mentor, but feel free to contact anyone from the list. They have signed up to help you! We will have an OutLaw mentors/mentees event this year where you can mingle with the new mentors. We will have our more formal attorney/legal professional panel event in the spring.
Hugo Gonzalez Venegas (he/him/el) • lclark 18’ Alum
Email: [email protected]
Practice: Oregon State Bar: Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
Hugo Gonzalez Venegas joined the Diversity & Inclusion Department in 2019. He finished a clerkship with Judge David Rees at Multnomah County Circuit Court. Hugo graduated Lewis & Clark Law School in 2018 where he had the privilege of working at the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic helping assisting the Immigrant Defense Oregon Project. Also during law school, Hugo went down to the South Texas border and helped migrant families exercise their rights in seeking asylum.
Hugo is an immigrant from Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. Hugo immigrated to Portland in 1984 and went to Benson High School in NE Portland. Hugo is the first in his family to graduate college, from Portland State University 2015, and the first to graduate law school. During his free time, Hugo loves to spend time with his dogs Maya, a Cairn Terrier and Chaplin, a teacup Chihuahua, eat at new restaurants and local theater and art shows.
Practice: Oregon State Bar: Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
Hugo Gonzalez Venegas joined the Diversity & Inclusion Department in 2019. He finished a clerkship with Judge David Rees at Multnomah County Circuit Court. Hugo graduated Lewis & Clark Law School in 2018 where he had the privilege of working at the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic helping assisting the Immigrant Defense Oregon Project. Also during law school, Hugo went down to the South Texas border and helped migrant families exercise their rights in seeking asylum.
Hugo is an immigrant from Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. Hugo immigrated to Portland in 1984 and went to Benson High School in NE Portland. Hugo is the first in his family to graduate college, from Portland State University 2015, and the first to graduate law school. During his free time, Hugo loves to spend time with his dogs Maya, a Cairn Terrier and Chaplin, a teacup Chihuahua, eat at new restaurants and local theater and art shows.
JUDGE DARLEEN ORTEGA (she/her) • ALLYEmail: d[email protected]
Darleen Ortega has served as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals since 2003 and is the first woman of color and the only Latina to serve as an appellate judge in Oregon. Before becoming a judge, she practiced law for 14 years, focusing her practice on all types of civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels. In her time on the bench, she has distinguished herself as a court leader on issues of juvenile dependency and as a student of the structural inequities that challenge the ideals the legal system seeks to uphold. Judge Ortega is a frequent speaker on topics related to equity, privilege, combatting structural and internalized racism and oppression, and learning to recognize and value the perspectives of people at the margins. She spends hours each week with law students and new lawyers, especially those from marginalized communities, helping them to make sense of the legal world. Among her many outside activities, she is a co-founder of OneGeorgeFox, an alumni organization supporting LGBTQ+ students. She also is an avid movie and theater critic; her reviews appear regularly in the Portland Observer. Judge Ortega teaches Access to Justice at all three Oregon law schools. |
MEGAN Hinzdel (SHE/her)
Email: [email protected]
Megan is a trial attorney for SAIF Corporation, located in Salem. She has worked at SAIF since 2017 as a legal intern and later a trial attorney. She has a fast-paced litigation practice, focusing on workers' compensation insurance defense. She graduated from Willamette University College of Law and has been a member of the Oregon State Bar since 2018. In law school, Megan was president of Willamette's OUTLaw and was an editor for the Social Justice and Equity Journal. Megan currently is a board member for OGALLA: the LGBT Bar Association of Oregon. Megan lives in Salem with her wife, also named Megan, and their four pets: Sookie, Gussy, Jess, and Lulu. When she’s not traveling or walking her dogs, she enjoys yoga, paddle boarding, and wine tasting in Oregon’s wine country. |
JUSTICE Rives Kistler (HE/HIM)Email: [email protected]
The Honorable Rives Kistler was appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court in 2003 after serving four years on the Oregon Court of Appeals. Justice Kistler graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1981, after which he worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Charles Clark, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Honorable Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States. After competing his clerkships, Justice Kistler worked as a litigation associate for Stoel Rives from 1983 to 1987 and as an assistant attorney general for the Oregon Department of Justice from 1987 to 1999, where he represented the state in civil and criminal matters before the state and federal appellate courts. Additionally, he has taught state constitutional law at Lewis and Clark Law School as an adjunct professor and served on the Oregon Board of Bar Examiners. He has been an active supporter of OLIO since joining the Supreme Court and has been a coach on the Franklin High School Constitutional Law Team since 2011. Justice Kistler retired from the court in December 2018 and currently serves as a senior judge. |
Ada Danelo (SHE/HER)Email: [email protected]
Ada is an associate at Foster Garvey’s Seattle office in the business group. She focuses her practice on advising companies on corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, and securities offerings. She is dedicated to promoting diversity in the legal profession, and ensuring that members of the queer community have the resources and connections to excel within law firms. Outside of work, she enjoys backcountry skiing, drag shows, and lesbian camping season. She would be happy to connect with any Lewis and Clark students who plan to work in Seattle after law school. |
Michael Hsu (He/him)Email: [email protected]
Chairperson of the Oregon Board of Parole Michael Hsu has served on the Oregon Board of Parole since May of 2017. Before joining the Board of Parole, he practiced criminal law for five years at Metropolitan Public Defenders. While there, he also served as staff attorney for the Padilla Project, where he advised criminal defense attorneys throughout the state about immigration law. Michael is a former DACA recipient and has been told that he is the first undocumented person to be licensed as an attorney in the United States. He attended Lewis and Clark Law School where he was President of the Minority Law Student Association, Managing Editor of Environmental Law, and a member of the law school's legendary dragonboat team, The Scales of Justice. |
LEWIS & CLARK RESOURCES:
**Queer Resources Guidebook found here**
Chosen Names & Pronouns with Lewis & Clark's New Chosen Name Policy:
Soon, Lewis & Clark will be announcing a Chosen Name Policy and providing students at all three schools (Law, CAS, and Graduate) the opportunity to provide their chosen name and pronouns via a web form. This system should help faculty identify students by their proper and correct name and pronoun.
Name/Sex Change:
A form is provided here that can be filled out for L&C Registrar to document your change if it varies from the information you provided at the beginning of the school year. Let us know if you want us to help you through this process.
Problems in the classroom:
Because classes can touch into sensitive topics, incidents in the classroom can happen that make you feel alienated and upset. Please know that OutLaw is absolutely here to help you navigate these problems. Here are some possible courses of action:
Gender-neutral bathroom access at the L&C campus:
There are gender-neutral bathrooms at the LRC (Lower Level - Rooms 104 and 106) and Wood Hall (Rooms 009 and 010). For a map of all of the gender-neutral bathrooms at L&C, please click here.
Other affinity student organizations:
We plan to work closely with the other affinity groups: the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), Latinx Law Society (LLS), Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA), Minority Law Student Association (MLSA), and Native American Law Student Association (NALSA). We invite you to join them and support their individually organized events. Additionally, visit our Events page to see collaborative events between us and other affinity groups.
General L&C Resources:
LEGAL COMMUNITY (links are in the bolded text)
Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association (OGALLA)
Trans Law Caucus
The Trans Law Caucus is a new initiative of OGALLA, the LGBT bar association of Oregon. It is an affinity committee run by and for transgender and/or gender nonconforming lawyers, law students, and legal professionals, with a major focus on outreach and networking (i.e. helping trans law students to meet and interact with trans attorneys).
The LGBT Bar
Oregon State Bar's Diversity & Inclusion (OSB D&I)
International Lesbian & Gay Law Association
SCHOLARSHIPS, STIPENDS & EXTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
L&C Scholarship Info
2020 Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship
Oregon's Office of Student Access and Completion
Pride Foundation Scholarships and Grants
JLV LGBTQ+ Scholarships:
View the NW Gender Alliance's Transgender Companion for use by all transgender individuals regardless of their particular expression of gender to provide a wide selection of resources and information for the various needs of transgendered individuals. Most of the resources and information contained within is designed to be local references specific to the greater Portland-Vancouver area. Listings of contact information are specific to four counties: Clark County in Washington, and Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah Counties in Oregon. CW: This resource has the term "transgendered" which is not suitable for use.
Physical and Mental Health & Wellness
Personal Safety
Hotlines and Key Contacts
PORTLAND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS & LOCAL SAFE SPACES:
Marrow PDX:
SMYRC (The Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
Portland Q Center
Basic Rights of Oregon (BRO)
Outside In
Other PDX groups:
NATIONWIDE GROUPS:
The Trevor Project
Transgender Law Center
Human Rights Campaign (HRC):
Immigration Equality
Lambda Legal
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
Out and Equal
Trans Student Education Resources
National Center for Transgender Equality
Trans Employment Program
Other Workplace Resources:
Intersecting Resources:
Being queer and non-binary has cultural specific barriers when intersecting with identities of color, ability, and many more identities and experiences. Below are some organizations that work to support specific intersections in addition to professional organizations that work to support specific identities.
National Association of the Deaf
The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The NAD also carries out its federal advocacy work through coalition efforts with specialized national deaf and hard of hearing organizations, as well as coalitions representing national cross-disability organizations.
Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
The Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1977. The purpose of this Alliance is to establish and maintain a society of Deaf GLBT to encourage and promote the educational, economical, and social welfare; to foster fellowship; to defend our rights; and advance our interests as Deaf GLBT citizens concerning social justice; to build up an organization in which all worthy members may participate in the discussion of practical problems and solutions related to their social welfare. RAD has over 20 chapters in the United States and Canada.
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Coalition
APIQWTC provides opportunities for Asian & Pacific Islander queer women and transgender people to socialize, network, build community, engage in inter-generational organizing, and increase community visibility. We are a fun, welcoming, multi-generational group of Asian & Pacific islander queer women and transgender people in the Bay Area, who are building community together.
The Center for Black Equity
Our mission is to promote a multinational LGBT network dedicated to improving health and wellness opportunities, economic empowerment, and equal rights while promoting individual and collective work, responsibility, and self-determination.
Click here for a robust list of organizations supporting black professionals.
Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement
Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement (Familia: TQLM) is the only national organization that addresses, organizes, educates, and advocates for the issues most important to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) and Latino communities. Familia: TQLM is inclusive and serves of all LGBTQ Latinos, Latinas, and gender nonconforming individuals. We also collaborate with non-LGBTQ families and friends who support our vision of a united LGBTQ Latino and Latina community.
Association of Latino Professionals for America
There is a real need for more Latino leaders. At a time when the business community desperately seeks talent and America’s young Latinos desperately seek opportunity, ALPFA is a bridge between the two resulting in thousands of Latino college students in paid professional internships and careers. ALPFA develops the next generation of Latino professionals via experiential leadership development and mentoring from senior corporate executives, whom we empower into the C-suite and onto corporate boards. ALPFA is also a proven growth accelerator for Latino entrepreneurs, helping them to build networks, access capital, and scale much more rapidly by opening the door to significant business opportunities with our more than 200 Fortune 1000 partners.
The East Coast Two Spirit Society
The East Coast Two Spirit Society is a member of the International Council of Two Spirit Societies. As a member of the International Council of Two Spirit Societies, we are able to advocate for and promote change in policy, in public perception of Two Spirit people, and for change on municipal, state and federal levels. EC2SS is concerned with the growing lack of regard for the lives of our Two Spirit people, especially those who may be Trans* identified. We believe that the importance of strong advocacy for these members of our Family cannot be overstated.
**Queer Resources Guidebook found here**
Chosen Names & Pronouns with Lewis & Clark's New Chosen Name Policy:
Soon, Lewis & Clark will be announcing a Chosen Name Policy and providing students at all three schools (Law, CAS, and Graduate) the opportunity to provide their chosen name and pronouns via a web form. This system should help faculty identify students by their proper and correct name and pronoun.
Name/Sex Change:
A form is provided here that can be filled out for L&C Registrar to document your change if it varies from the information you provided at the beginning of the school year. Let us know if you want us to help you through this process.
Problems in the classroom:
Because classes can touch into sensitive topics, incidents in the classroom can happen that make you feel alienated and upset. Please know that OutLaw is absolutely here to help you navigate these problems. Here are some possible courses of action:
- Report a Bias Incident here.
You can do this as the person who was directly involved or as a witness. If you are an ally, please strongly consider reporting serious incidents in the classroom but as a courtesy, we generally recommend speaking to the students who were involved first. Check out our Allies page to know how else to best support your LGBTQ+ peers. - Take your concerns to the appropriate people:
Associate Dean Libby Davis (email: [email protected]): request to meet with her to report faculty or students who are engaging in problematic behavior and she may offer further solutions.
Associate Dean John Parry is also the Dean of Faculty, and can bring important information to faculty.
Professor Tom Buchele is the Chair of the Law School's Diversity Committee.
Mark Figueroa is the new L&C Dean of Diversity and Inclusion and the Title IX Coordinator. Email: [email protected] - Speak with a confidential person:
Please see our Wellness section below to find information about the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program and other points of contact. - Go to a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion meeting to voice your concerns:
They have committee meetings every 3 weeks and all group members are welcome. Please email Lydia to be added to the list serv in order to be notified of upcoming meetings (email: [email protected]). - We can help:
Sometimes reporting and going through an administrative process can be tiresome. We are here to act as a representative for any or all of your concerns. For example, should you need help with a member of faculty who either has known you by a previous name or pronoun, please contact us and we can email them on your behalf to alert them of your name and pronouns.
Gender-neutral bathroom access at the L&C campus:
There are gender-neutral bathrooms at the LRC (Lower Level - Rooms 104 and 106) and Wood Hall (Rooms 009 and 010). For a map of all of the gender-neutral bathrooms at L&C, please click here.
Other affinity student organizations:
We plan to work closely with the other affinity groups: the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), Latinx Law Society (LLS), Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA), Minority Law Student Association (MLSA), and Native American Law Student Association (NALSA). We invite you to join them and support their individually organized events. Additionally, visit our Events page to see collaborative events between us and other affinity groups.
General L&C Resources:
- General law student guidebook found here.
- In the event of an emergency, call Campus Safety at 503.768.7777; available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Title IX Coordinator
- Portland Information
- Diversity Resources (Women, Immigrants, etc)
- Transportation & Parking
- For additional points of contact, see the consultation and referral options for students who are struggling.
LEGAL COMMUNITY (links are in the bolded text)
Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Association (OGALLA)
- OGALLA is the LGBT Bar Association of Oregon, an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lawyers, judges, legal workers, law students, and others who support the needs of sexual minorities and gender non-conforming people in the legal profession.
- OGALLA hosts an annual dinner and silent auction in the fall, which is a great opportunity to meet LGBTQ+ legal professionals and attorneys.
Trans Law Caucus
The Trans Law Caucus is a new initiative of OGALLA, the LGBT bar association of Oregon. It is an affinity committee run by and for transgender and/or gender nonconforming lawyers, law students, and legal professionals, with a major focus on outreach and networking (i.e. helping trans law students to meet and interact with trans attorneys).
The LGBT Bar
- The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal organizations. The LGBT Bar promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBTQ+ community in all its diversity.
- The LGBT Bar hosts the Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair in early August in the East coast. Lavender Law has served as a ‘family reunion’ for LGBTQ+ and ally legal professionals to both look back at our shared history and to look forward to the future of the legal profession. It is the largest LGBTQ+ legal conference in the country with approximately 1700 attendees attending annually.
Oregon State Bar's Diversity & Inclusion (OSB D&I)
- The D&I department serves as a key resource to assist the OSB in advancing diversity and inclusion in all the bar’s mission areas, programs and activities.
- OSB D&I also hosts OLIO, which is the Oregon State Bar’s recruitment and retention program for law students who can contribute to the bar’s historically or currently underrepresented membership; who have experienced economic, social, or other barriers; who have personally experienced discrimination or oppression; or who can otherwise demonstrate a commitment to advancing the D&I Department’s mission. OLIO happens every year annually before law school, open to mostly 1Ls but some returning upper division students.
International Lesbian & Gay Law Association
- The International Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and Intersex Law Association (ILGLaw) unites people around the world who are dedicated to the principle of equality under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and intersex persons.
SCHOLARSHIPS, STIPENDS & EXTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
L&C Scholarship Info
- L&C law scholarship descriptions and information found here.
- Full list of L&C and outside scholarships viewable here.
2020 Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship
- 2020 Bill and Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship provides financial assistance to third-year and fourth-year law students who wish to advance equal rights and justice for LGBTQ individuals. More info soon to come.
- D&I programs are open to individuals who can help advance the department’s mission. As such, students whose applications support an intent to practice law in Oregon will be given preference. However, the D&I Department encourages all law students who can advance the mission of the department and who might consider practicing law in Oregon to apply. Eligible students include those who 1) can contribute to the bar’s historically or currently underrepresented membership; 2) have experienced economic, social, or other barriers; 3) have experienced discrimination or oppression or can otherwise demonstrate a commitment to advancing the D&I Department’s mission.
- The D&I Department administers a yearly Judicial Mentorship Program in collaboration with the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD). The program provides support, advice, and connection to the legal community for diverse law students in Oregon.
- Summer Stipend programs are available for law school students who will continue to be enrolled in law school in the fall term and who will help achieve the bar’s diversity mission. Students selected to receive stipends will choose, depending on the type of summer employment opportunity they obtain, whether they wish to receive their stipend in the form of a Public Honors Fellowship or a Clerkship.
- The D&I Department awards three bar exam grants for the February exam, and six grants for the July exam, to those applicants whose personal experiences, accomplishments, commitment to practice law in Oregon, and financial need demonstrate that they will help the department achieve its mission. Each grant award consists of an $800 stipend to be used for expenses associated with preparing to take the bar exam (i.e. a bar exam prep course, child care, or living expenses while studying for the bar), as well as a reimbursement of $750 of the Admissions application fee.
- Rebar is a holistic program designed to help JDs retaking the bar exam. Rebar includes: 1) an online black letter Kaplan bar prep course, tailored for those repeating the exam; 2) in person evening classes with the Rebar cohort to develop testing skills and address known challenges; 3) support from the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program; and 4) a stipend to alleviate financial pressures that might hinder the applicant’s ability to prepare for the bar.
Oregon's Office of Student Access and Completion
Pride Foundation Scholarships and Grants
- Pride Foundation Scholarships and Grants support LGBTQ+ and allied students who are facing incredible barriers, regardless of school, major, or GPA. The next cycle of scholarships will be open in 2021, see more information here.
JLV LGBTQ+ Scholarships:
- A free personal college counselor and scholarship guru who understands that access to this information is a priority for all students. Check out her scholarship page for information on scholarships for: LQBTQ+ students, military personnel and veterans, students of color, religious scholarships, international students, parents, non-traditionally aged students, disability and health scholarships, study abroad, and more.
View the NW Gender Alliance's Transgender Companion for use by all transgender individuals regardless of their particular expression of gender to provide a wide selection of resources and information for the various needs of transgendered individuals. Most of the resources and information contained within is designed to be local references specific to the greater Portland-Vancouver area. Listings of contact information are specific to four counties: Clark County in Washington, and Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah Counties in Oregon. CW: This resource has the term "transgendered" which is not suitable for use.
Physical and Mental Health & Wellness
- OAAP — Oregon Attorney Assistance Program: OAAP provides CONFIDENTIAL and free counseling assistance to lawyers, judges, and law students. We can help with your concerns about your well-being, or the well-being of someone you care about. We offer short-term individual counseling, referral to other resources when appropriate, support groups, workshops, CLEs, and educational programs. Each OAAP attorney counselor is both a lawyer and a counselor. Please call the OAAP at (503) 226-1057 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, if time is available. If those days or times do not fit your needs, OAAP attorney counselors also available to meet at a time or location that works better for you.
- OAAP Trans Law Professionals Peer Support Group: This inclusive group is open to all transgender, trans-questioning, non-binary, gender-nonconforming and intersex judges, lawyers, law students and legal professionals. To join this group, please contact Kyra Hazilla (OAAP Facilitator, JD, LCSW) at [email protected] or 503-226-1057. There is no fee but advance registration is required as space is limited. Not ready for a group? Feel free to reach out to Kyra for alternative resources.
- Campus Health Services — No-cost, affirming counseling, case management, and wellness services
- The Counseling Center: Please note that the counseling available at L&C is limited to 10 sessions per year, but they can give referrals for long-term counseling that work with your health insurance.
- Case Management Office
- Health Promotion and Wellness
- Associate Dean Libby Davis (email: [email protected]) is available for individual student conversations on a broad range of topics, including student wellness.
- The American Bar Association's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Toolkit
- DrugWatch's Guide to LGBTQ+ Physical & Mental Health
- Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling: Division of the American Counseling Association dedicated to raising awareness around LGBTQ issues in counseling.
- OHSU Transgender Health Program: Affirming care and local services
- Outside In: provides a full range of health services for youth and adults of all ages, such as disease management, routine primary care, HIV/STI testing, women’s health care, mental health, and transgender care.
- Outside In List: Compilation of local trans surgeons (as of 2016)
- Pivot at Prism Health: Free HIV and STI screenings for the queer community
- A Guide to Transgender Friendly Clinics By Region: Hims and Hers researched and compiled a guide to trans-friendly clinics across the United States by region.
- Northwest Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse
- A transition-specific site for MTF-identified folks
- Portland Gay Men's Chorus
- Rose City Pride & PDX's Gay Freedom Bands
- Roller Derby
- Queer women's climbing group – Broads Ascend
- Lumberjacks (queer rugby)
- Lewis & Clark Athletics Facilities Schedule
- Lewis & Clark Intramural Sports
- Hikes Around Portland (Oregon Adventures; Oregon Hikers)
- Bike Trails Around Portland
Personal Safety
- Sexual Assault Resources: Options for action and list of confidential advocates
- Kitestring: Regular check-in texts when going out alone
- bSafe: Preventative and emergency safety tools through your phone
- Circle of 6: Quickly reach out to emergency contacts in any situation
- ACLU’s mobile justice: Keep a record of interactions with law enforcement officers
Hotlines and Key Contacts
- The Trevor Project hotline: 1-866-488-7386 or chat online.
- Suicide Hotline: 1(800) 273-8255
- GLAAD Trans Hotline: (877) 565-8860
- GLBT National Hotline: 1(888)843-4564
- LC Ombudsperson: (503) 768-7336
- LC Counseling Service: (503) 768-7160
PORTLAND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS & LOCAL SAFE SPACES:
Marrow PDX:
- Marrow is a youth-centered community space, with a focus on education, the arts, and activism. They run drag shows, live music, arts and crafts and workshops.
- Volunteer with Marrow here.
SMYRC (The Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
- SMYRC provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities like art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, counseling, education, and more. With the goals of increasing academic success and access to jobs, reducing poverty and school drop-out, SMYRC honors, empowers, and supports LGBTQ youth to be their best selves and become leaders in their communities. You can also volunteer with SMYRC.
- SMYRC also offers mental health support services. A Cascadia Behavioral Health LGBTQ Mental Health Specialist is in the SMYRC Drop-in Center on Mondays at our downtown location and Wednesdays at our East County location.
Portland Q Center
- The Q Center aims to provide safe spaces, community building and empowerment for the positive transformation of LGBTQ2SIA+ communities and allies in the Pacific Northwest. As the largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Pacific Northwest, Q Center proudly serves the LGBTQ2SIA+ communities of Portland Metro and Southwest Washington. Our drop-in and event space on North Mississippi Avenue is a frequent first stop for new arrivals in Portland, and for longtime residents who are newly out or questioning their sexual or gender identity.
- Search through the Q Center’s Online Information & Referral Service to find resources for LGBTQ2SIA+ community members in Portland Metro, SW Washington, and Oregon.
Basic Rights of Oregon (BRO)
- BRO aims to ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories and that all LGBTQ Oregonians live free from discrimination and be treated with dignity and respect in every community in our state.
- Resources such as training requests, legal resources and toolkits are found here.
Outside In
- Outside In has transformed thousands of lives by helping break the cycles of chronic homelessness, poverty, and poor health among Portland’s LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, those experiencing homelessness, and the underserved. Our health clinic and young adult programs strive to meet people where they are and provide safe, affirming spaces for our community to receive judgment-free care and support. They accept most health insurances but do not refuse service for anyone unable to pay.
- Volunteer opportunities are available here.
Other PDX groups:
- Volunteer with PFLAG Portland here.
- Volunteer at Portland NW Pride every summer here.
NATIONWIDE GROUPS:
The Trevor Project
- The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Call 1-866-488-7386 or chat online.
- Volunteers are always needed here.
Transgender Law Center
- Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Visit this website for resources on being queer and trans in the workplace.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC):
- As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide.
- HRC's resources are found here, including Trans-inclusive toolkits and packets for work.
Immigration Equality
- Immigration Equality is leading the effort to end discrimination in U.S. immigration law, to reduce its negative impact on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and HIV-positive people, and to obtain asylum for those persecuted in their home countries based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or HIV-status. Click the link to view current volunteer and internship opportunities.
Lambda Legal
- Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Jobs, volunteer, and internship opportunities can be found here.
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
- The nation’s oldest LGBTI civil rights advocacy organization, and first to be a regular presence on Capitol Hill as a lobbying voice on behalf of LGBTI citizens, the Task Force is a creative, moving presence in Washington DC, and across the country, partnering with and helping strengthen local and state organizations. They are also a great place for internships!
Out and Equal
- Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is the world’s premier nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workplace equality. The LGBT CareerLink page will connect you with a database of current opportunities with workplaces committed to creating inclusive atmospheres.
Trans Student Education Resources
- Trans Student Educational Resources is a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming students through advocacy and empowerment. In addition to our focus on creating a more trans-friendly education system, our mission is to educate the public and teach trans activists how to be effective organizers. We believe that justice for trans and gender nonconforming youth is contingent on an intersectional framework of activism. Volunteer, internship, scholarship, and leadership summit opportunities are available.
National Center for Transgender Equality
- The National Center for Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people. NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who recognized the urgent need for policy change to advance transgender equality. With a committed board of directors, a volunteer staff of one, and donated office space, we set out to accomplish what no one had yet done: provide a powerful transgender advocacy presence in Washington, D.C.
Trans Employment Program
- Launched in 2007 as TEEI (Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative), the Trans Employment Program is the first city funded program to help transgender and GNC people get back to work and address the economic barriers facing the community. Since the program started, it has connected community members with thousands of jobs in diverse, equal, and rewarding workplaces. We changed our name in 2016 to better reflect what we do and what we offer. The program provides a wide range of services including: job referrals and career coaching, navigating being out at work or transitioning on the job, resume review and managing references, hiring and community event, mentoring, and legal services.
Other Workplace Resources:
- HRC's Coming Out at Work toolkit
- An eighty page book about trans-inclusion in the workplace. An excellent guide available for a free download.
- Handling Illegal Interview Questions: The Career Center’s interviewing handout has a section on handling illegal interview questions on page 4.
- University of Pennsylvania’s “Out in the Workplace?” Guide: A guide for considering your level of “outness” in the workplace, researching organizational policies and climates, what to include on your resume concerning LGBTQ+ work experience, and interviewing strategies.
- The Broken Bargain: LGBT Workers Experience: A 2013 comprehensive report compiled by Movement Advancement Project (MAP), the Center for American Progress (CAP), and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) on LGBT worker realities. You can find the full report here.
- Lambda Legal LGBTQ+ Workplace Resources: This page links to a litany of resources for LGBTQ+ job seekers and current employees looking for support resources.
- University of Vermont’s FAQ’s for Transgender Job Seekers: A guide to the technicalities of listing preferred versus legal name on job applications, filling out health insurance applications during the hiring process, and other job search tips.
Intersecting Resources:
Being queer and non-binary has cultural specific barriers when intersecting with identities of color, ability, and many more identities and experiences. Below are some organizations that work to support specific intersections in addition to professional organizations that work to support specific identities.
National Association of the Deaf
The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The NAD also carries out its federal advocacy work through coalition efforts with specialized national deaf and hard of hearing organizations, as well as coalitions representing national cross-disability organizations.
Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
The Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1977. The purpose of this Alliance is to establish and maintain a society of Deaf GLBT to encourage and promote the educational, economical, and social welfare; to foster fellowship; to defend our rights; and advance our interests as Deaf GLBT citizens concerning social justice; to build up an organization in which all worthy members may participate in the discussion of practical problems and solutions related to their social welfare. RAD has over 20 chapters in the United States and Canada.
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Coalition
APIQWTC provides opportunities for Asian & Pacific Islander queer women and transgender people to socialize, network, build community, engage in inter-generational organizing, and increase community visibility. We are a fun, welcoming, multi-generational group of Asian & Pacific islander queer women and transgender people in the Bay Area, who are building community together.
The Center for Black Equity
Our mission is to promote a multinational LGBT network dedicated to improving health and wellness opportunities, economic empowerment, and equal rights while promoting individual and collective work, responsibility, and self-determination.
Click here for a robust list of organizations supporting black professionals.
Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement
Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement (Familia: TQLM) is the only national organization that addresses, organizes, educates, and advocates for the issues most important to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) and Latino communities. Familia: TQLM is inclusive and serves of all LGBTQ Latinos, Latinas, and gender nonconforming individuals. We also collaborate with non-LGBTQ families and friends who support our vision of a united LGBTQ Latino and Latina community.
Association of Latino Professionals for America
There is a real need for more Latino leaders. At a time when the business community desperately seeks talent and America’s young Latinos desperately seek opportunity, ALPFA is a bridge between the two resulting in thousands of Latino college students in paid professional internships and careers. ALPFA develops the next generation of Latino professionals via experiential leadership development and mentoring from senior corporate executives, whom we empower into the C-suite and onto corporate boards. ALPFA is also a proven growth accelerator for Latino entrepreneurs, helping them to build networks, access capital, and scale much more rapidly by opening the door to significant business opportunities with our more than 200 Fortune 1000 partners.
The East Coast Two Spirit Society
The East Coast Two Spirit Society is a member of the International Council of Two Spirit Societies. As a member of the International Council of Two Spirit Societies, we are able to advocate for and promote change in policy, in public perception of Two Spirit people, and for change on municipal, state and federal levels. EC2SS is concerned with the growing lack of regard for the lives of our Two Spirit people, especially those who may be Trans* identified. We believe that the importance of strong advocacy for these members of our Family cannot be overstated.