Basic Rights Oregon Benefit Raises Over $286,000

Portland, October 10th, 2014. 900 supporters filled the Portland Art Museum for the IGNITE gala. They helped honor LGBT victories achieved this year and to support Basic Rights Oregon. The benefit raised over $286,000 to fund Basic Rights’ work for LGBT equality.

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and Governor Kitzhaber
Photo Credit: Bryon Beck

Basic Rights Oregon leaders said, “We want to thank those who played a key role in making this year’s event truly memorable: to House Speaker Tina Kotek for bringing incredible energy and wit as emcee for the VIP dinner; to Governor John Kitzhaber for his words of encouragement from the stage; to Oregon Health & Science University and Dr. Joseph Robertson for their outstanding leadership and support of this year’s event; and to the cast of Dream Girls for an amazing performance we’ll never forget.”

Board Members of Basic Rights Oregon and Husbands Robin Castro and John Halseth
Photo Credit: Izzy Ventura

The 2014 Fighting Spirit Honorees included:

For their work in helping make Oregon a national leader in providing comprehensive transgender medicaid coverage:

TransActive Gender Center

tash shatz

Neola Young, Q Center

Dr. Megan Bird

The Trans Justice Working Group of Basic Rights Oregon

Jose Cruz

For outstanding legal work on the landmark U.S. District Court case overturning Oregon’s constitutional ban on marriage for same-sex couples:

From ACLU:

Jennifer Middleton, Johnson Johnson and Schaller

Kevin Diaz

Rose Saxe

Amanda Goad

James Esseks

Steven Shapiro

Dave Fidanque

From Perkins Coie:

Thomas R. Johnson

Misha Isaak

Kristina J. Holm

Nathan Christensen

Geiger v. Kitzhaber Attorneys:

Lake Perriguey

Lea Ann Easton

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.