Equal Rights for All Amendment: The Path Forward
IP 33 will not be on the November 2026 ballot, but our commitment to transgender, reproductive and queer marriage rights remains unwavering
The Equal Rights for All coalition has announced that Initiative Petition 33, which would have enshrined bodily autonomy protections and marriage equality in Oregon’s constitution, will not proceed to the 2026 ballot. This was a very tough but thoughtful decision that the committee made with input from the coalition and to volunteers. The coalition remains committed to civil rights for transgender people, for reproductive justice and the rights of our LGBTQ+ community.
The Multnomah County Democrats appreciate and respect this strategic decision. Progress sometimes looks different than what we expect and there are many ways to get to the outcome we desire.
We want to take a moment to recognize and thank the incredible activists in our organization who threw themselves into the Initiative Petition 33 campaign from the very beginning. As early endorsers of this effort to enshrine bodily autonomy protections in Oregon’s constitution, we watched with pride as Multnomah County Democrats showed up—at concert halls, community events, and gatherings across our county—to have meaningful, one-on-one conversations about people’s fundamental rights.
To MultDems volunteers and organizers: You didn’t just collect signatures. You listened to thousands of our neighbors. You answered questions. You built connections. Through your work, one thing became crystal clear: the broad community of Democrats in Multnomah County embraces these rights and freedoms, and stands ready to resist authoritarianism in all its forms.
The IP 33 campaign also exemplified the kind of intentional coalition work we are committed to continuing in Multnomah County. Building diverse, principled alliances is how we create lasting change. We’re proud to have been part of this effort alongside so many dedicated organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, Latino Network and Planned Parenthood Action Oregon.
While the campaign has decided not to move forward to the 2026 ballot, your work matters. The conversations you started, the relationships you built and the commitment you demonstrated—these are the foundation of our ongoing fight for justice and equality.
Ways to Stay Involved
During this time, we also celebrated the formation of the MultDems Queer Alliance, a group committed to centering equity and the needs of LGBTQ+ folks and creating a safe, strong harbor for thoughtful work that expands protections for all of us. If you are queer and support this mission, we invite you to sign up here:
Our Democratic Party of Multnomah Platform shapes the issues and values we champion (like the work we did with IP33). If you’re passionate about making a difference, consider working with our Platform Committee to help shape the issues and values we champion as a county organization. Sign up through our volunteer form and let us know what issues you’re interested in activating through the county Democrats. Mention “Platform Committee” in your volunteer application.
Below, we’re sharing the message from the Equal Rights for All coalition organizers. Their words and their intentionality are important, and if you haven’t had the chance we want to share them first hand.
| From the The Equal Rights for All Executive Committee: |
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| Dear Supporters, We’re writing to share some news with you. After thoughtful consideration, we have decided that Initiative Petition 33 will not proceed to the 2026 ballot. The Equal Rights for All coalition considered many components of the ballot initiative campaign when making the decision not to move forward this year, including deep conversations with supporters who all share an ongoing commitment to rights, justice and bodily autonomy. When deliberating over this decision, we looked not just at the progress of our campaign but also the national landscape and the multitude of existential battles our communities are facing. The outcome of our deliberations is the decision to pursue a different short-term strategy in our ongoing fight for full and equal rights. We have immense gratitude for the community who have come together to build this ballot initiative. Our campaign includes Oregonians from every corner of our diverse state, of every gender and sexuality, transgender people and their loved ones, across countless racial and ethnic identities, immigrants and refugees, and all types of people who believe in personal autonomy and freedom for all. Together, we are: Over 50 endorsing organizations and small businesses, 450 dedicated volunteers, Grateful to have collected over 52,000 qualification signatures And proud to have a statewide presence with supporters in all 36 Oregon counties. We acknowledge the fear, sadness and anger that this decision may cause, especially for members of the trans, LGBTQ+, and reproductive rights communities. This is a particularly difficult time, as the federal government continues attacking our rights, freedom and basic humanity. However, members of our coalition are committed to continuing to fight back, while also holding the decision that IP 33 is not the vehicle to move forward at this time. While we recognize there is work to be done—and more we can do to strengthen equal rights protections—we’re grateful that Oregon maintains strong anti-discrimination laws and statutory protections for reproductive and transition-related health care and same-gender marriage thanks to decades of work from community members, organizations, advocates and legislative allies. We are so grateful for the dedicated and compassionate community of supporters who we will continue to fight alongside – to ensure the right to make our own personal decisions and access the health care we need for all people and communities. We 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 and bodies and access the care that we need. We will be in touch to let you know what’s next — this fight is not over. In deep gratitude and solidarity, The Equal Rights for All Executive Committee Multnomah Democrats, our fight continues. Thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you will do. |