Christine Drazan on Civil Rights

America is not a systemically racist country

DRAZAN: It is wrong and dangerous to dismantle our institutions brick by brick to advance a political agenda. We have worked hard over many decades to expressly prohibit race-based discrimination, and we should continue to confront it in our society. While there are racists in America, America is not a systemically racist country. Our schools have an obligation to educate kids about the good, bad and ugly of American history, but political agendas have no place in the classroom. More to the point, students of color are being left behind by our current education system, which has failed to help them achieve at the same level as their peers. That's the continuing injustice here.

KOTEK: Our schools should teach the history of our country in an honest, factual way because learning from our past is how we form a more perfect union.

Ban the LGBTQ Panic Defense for second degree murder

Basic Rights Oregon Summary: On May 13, the Oregon House passed Senate Bill 704, which will ban the use of the LGBTQ panic defense in Oregon! Then, on May 21, Governor Kate Brown signed it into law.

What does this mean for our community?

It means sending the message that violence against LGBTQ people is never acceptable.

It means showing up for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx transgender women who experience disproportionately high rates of violence.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 29-1-0 on Apr/14/21; Passed House 54-0-6 on May/13/21; Minority Leader Christine Drazan voted YES; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/21/21.