LGBTQ Human Rights Organizations in Salem, OR

Founded in 1996 by a group of 13 students in Salem, Oregon, Latinos Unidos Siempre (L.U.S.) has grown into a vital community organization dedicated to youth empowerment and social justice. The organization emerged from a critical moment when Salem's Latino community faced immigration raids, high school dropout rates, gang activity, and hostile legislative proposals, with young people stepping forward to advocate for change. Today, L.U.S. continues this legacy of youth leadership by welcoming young people of all backgrounds—ages 12 to 25—who identify as Latino or who are passionate about working for social justice alongside the Latino community. The organization's approach combines cultural affirmation, educational support, and political organizing to combat racist stereotypes and discrimination while building the next generation of community leaders. Operating as the youth arm of Mano a Mano Family Center in Salem, L.U.S. maintains deep roots in local movements for immigrant rights and community equality, collaborating with organizations like CAUSA and the Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality. With a membership that is predominantly female and Latino, L.U.S. has proven itself as an incubator for emerging leaders, with six alumni currently serving as staff members at partner organizations, including the Executive Director of Mano a Mano. The organization's sustained presence in Salem for nearly three decades reflects its commitment to creating spaces where young people can develop their voices, build solidarity, and work toward meaningful social change in their community.

Basic Rights Oregon emerged from Portland, OR in 1996 as a direct response to decades of anti-gay ballot measures that threatened LGBTQ rights across the state. Founded on the principle that sustained, organized community power is essential for lasting change, the organization has grown into a comprehensive movement-building force. In 1999, recognizing the need for long-term infrastructure beyond individual campaigns, Basic Rights Education Fund (BREF) was established as a 501(c)(3) sister organization. Together, these entities form Basic Rights Oregon—a unified movement dedicated to ensuring that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Oregonians experience equality and live free from discrimination. The organization's mission centers on building a broad, inclusive, and politically powerful movement that shifts public opinion and achieves policy victories that protect and advance LGBTQ2SIA rights. What distinguishes Basic Rights Oregon is its commitment to long-term community empowerment rather than reactive crisis response. The organization provides multiple pathways for community engagement, including volunteer opportunities, event participation, training programs, and speaker services. By connecting individual experiences of discrimination to broader policy change, Basic Rights Oregon transforms personal struggles into systemic solutions. The organization operates with transparency and accountability, maintaining open communication channels with community members seeking support, information, and ways to contribute to the movement for LGBTQ2SIA equality throughout Oregon.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Equality Federation represents a unique national movement builder dedicated to strengthening the state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy ecosystem through social justice principles and collaborative partnership. The organization has earned recognition as the leading strategic partner to 50 member organizations spanning from Equality Florida to Freedom Oklahoma to Basic Rights Oregon, demonstrating a deep commitment to amplifying grassroots power across all fifty states. At its core, Equality Federation believes that winning equality is a marathon requiring investment in developing tomorrow's leaders today, which is why the organization prioritizes building strong, sustainable organizations capable of adapting to evolving community needs. The federation's work reflects an integrated commitment to racial equity, recognizing that justice for LGBTQ+ communities must be inseparable from racial justice efforts. Equality Federation's team has been celebrated by the National Black Justice Collective and continues to demonstrate leadership excellence within the broader LGBTQ+ movement. The organization's values are reflected in its unwavering commitment to accessibility, community accountability, and inclusive representation across all aspects of its work. By serving as both a national network and strategic partner, Equality Federation connects state-based organizations with resources, knowledge, and solidarity needed to protect transgender people, end HIV criminalization, ban conversion therapy, and create lasting systemic change that benefits LGBTQ+ individuals and families throughout the country.