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Governor Brown to Sign Landmark Transgender Equity Bill

May 31, 2017

(Salem, OR) — Governor Brown will celebrate on Wednesday the signing into law of the landmark transgender equity bill, HB 2673A. This law, Oregon's first standalone transgender equity legislation, creates an administrative option that will be a safer, faster, and more private process for transgender Oregonians to update their name and gender on their Oregon birth certificates. 

"Individualism is at the heart of Oregonian values, and as a fundamental human right, government has no business dictating personal identity," Governor Brown said. "Oregon's keystone transgender equity bill reflects our tradition of protecting the liberty and dignity of our people, and we will continue to support a culture of inclusivity and embrace all who call Oregon home."

Oregon is consistently regarded as one of the most LGBTQ friendly states in the nation. The Oregon Equality Act, passed a decade ago, provides comprehensive non-discrimination protections for Oregonians based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.

Oregon has also won several administrative policy changes to reduce discrimination for transgender Oregonians, including transgender-inclusive Medicaid; an insurance bulletin that prohibits health care discrimination by private insurance carriers; and statewide education guidelines that protect transgender youth in schools. This bill, however, is a milestone for Oregon’s transgender community, because it’s the first bill signed into law exclusively to support transgender Oregonians. 

The Oregon law will become effective January 1, 2018. California is the only other state to have a similar administrative option for transgender people to update their birth certificates.

Representatives of Basic Rights Oregon will also be on hand, and members of the media are invited to attend. Those who plan to attend or need more information should call Press Secretary Bryan Hockaday at 503-580-7836. 
 

Wednesday, May 31
10:00 a.m.   Governor's Ceremonial Office
  900 Court St. NE
  Salem 

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