A coalition of civil rights and reproductive justice advocates in Oregon has halted efforts to place a sweeping LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights amendment before voters in 2026, ending a campaign that aimed to constitutionally protect gender-affirming care, abortion access, and marriage equality.
According to reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting, the decision was announced this week by a coalition that included the ACLU of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, and Planned Parenthood affiliates. The proposal, known as the Equal Rights for All initiative, would have amended the Oregon Constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, and reproductive health decisions.
Organizers had been working toward the measure since 2024 and planned to gather signatures throughout 2025 and early 2026. However, in a statement shared on social media, the coalition confirmed it would no longer pursue ballot qualification. No single reason was cited for the decision.
“This is a particularly difficult time as the federal government continues attacking our rights, freedom, and basic humanity,” the coalition wrote. “We still firmly believe that together, we will build an Oregon where all of us can be who we are and make our own decisions about our lives, our bodies, and the care we need.”
The move surprised many advocates, particularly given Oregon’s reputation as a relatively supportive state for LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights. Supporters of the measure had pointed to recent ballot victories in other states, including New York, where voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights in 2024.
If approved by voters, the Oregon measure would have added explicit constitutional protections for abortion, contraception, in vitro fertilization, same-sex marriage, and gender-affirming health care. While those rights are currently protected under Oregon law and court precedent, they are not explicitly guaranteed in the state constitution.
Advocates for transgender and gender-diverse people had emphasized that constitutional language was critical as a safeguard against future political shifts. Across the country, gender-affirming care for both youth and adults has increasingly been targeted by legislation, executive action, and litigation, even in states where protections once seemed secure.
The decision to pause the initiative also reflects broader strategic challenges facing rights campaigns ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Ballot measures require significant funding, sustained volunteer labor, and careful political timing, especially as national rhetoric around LGBTQ+ issues grows more hostile.
Coalition leaders have not ruled out pursuing constitutional protections through other avenues, including future ballot measures or legislative action. For now, the Equal Rights for All initiative has been shelved, leaving advocates to regroup as they assess the political landscape in Oregon and beyond.
