Decisions/2026-073
Ordinance2026-073

Should Portland amend Civil Rights Code related to sexual orientation and family status definitions and amend nondiscrimination clauses (amend Code Section 14A.50.110…

The proposed amendment to Chapter 14 removes outdated and contradictory sections of City Code and aligns City Code with existing Portland Police Bureau procedures and best practices regarding Misuse of a Public Restroom. The proposed amendment to Chapter 23 updates the definition of "sexual orientation" and adds definitions for "family or relationship structure."

Official impact statement
See the official legal title

​​Amend Civil Rights Code related to sexual orientation and family status definitions and amend nondiscrimination clauses (amend Code Section 14A.50.110 and Code Chapter 23.01)

Next appearanceFinal action is posted; watch for implementation updates.
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01 · Understand it

What this proposal would actually do.

Plain-language orientation first. Every substantive statement below links to its official basis.

What would change

The proposed amendment to Chapter 14 removes outdated and contradictory sections of City Code and aligns City Code with existing Portland Police Bureau procedures and best practices regarding Misuse of a Public Restroom. The proposed amendment to Chapter 23 updates the definition of "sexual orientation" and adds definitions for "family or relationship structure."

Official proposal and impact statement
What would stay the same

The reviewed sources do not clearly identify every existing policy, service, contract, or obligation that would remain unchanged.

Official matter record
Who may be affected

The proposed revisions to Portland City Code Chapter 14 increases restroom access across a broad spectrum of persons, including but not limited to members of the transgender and gender expansive community, individuals with caregivers or personal attendants, people who are menstruating or who experience urinary retention or gastrointestinal disorders, and parents with young children. Revisions align code to current Portland Police Bureau operating directives. The proposed revisions to Portland City Code Chapter 23 refine and expand definitions for civil rights protections. The Office of Equity and Human Rights engaged with community partners beginning in 2023 to revise definitions to better include diverse family structures and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Public involvement and input led to the proposed definitions for both "sexual orientation" and "family status."

Official community impact statement
What happens next

Passed as amended by council

Latest official agenda appearance
02 · Evaluate it

What the record establishes and what it does not.

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  • What implementation evidence will show whether the intended result occurred?
Can residents still participate?

Official testimony on this decision has closed. Residents can still contact their district Councilors about implementation and follow-up.

Official Council agenda
03 · Verify it

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Official documents1 sources
Final legal actionOrdinance 192153

The operative official record after Council action.

Open at Portland.gov
Read the full official text

​​The City of Portland ordains.​​Section 1. The Council finds:​​​Equity is a core value of the City of Portland.​On March 22, 2017, Portland City Council passed Resolution 37277, declaring the City of Portland a Welcoming City, a Sanctuary City, and an Inclusive City for all. Resolution 37277 stated that "people of all races, colors, national origins, immigration or refugee statuses, heritages, cultures, religions, sexes, gender identities and gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, and economic statuses contribute to the health, well-being, prosperity, and general welfare of the City as families, neighbors, workers, and taxpayers."​Portland City Code Section 23.01.010 states that "[i]t is the policy of the City to eliminate discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. Such discrimination poses a threat to the health, safety and general welfare of Portland community members and menaces the institutions and foundation of our community."​Portland City Code Section 23.01.020 states that "[i]t is the intent of the Council, in the exercise of its powers for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare and for the maintenance of peace and good government, that every individual must have an equal opportunity to participate fully in the life of the City and that discriminatory barriers to equal participation in employment, housing, and public accommodations be removed."​Portland City Code Subsection 14A.50.110 E. currently reads that it is "unlawful for any male person to enter a restroom marked 'Women'."​Portland City Code Subsection 14A.50.110 F. currently reads "it is unlawful for any female person to enter a restroom marked 'Men'."​Portland Police Directive 0640.38, Interacting with Members of the LGBTQIA2S+/Queer Community, states that "[members] shall not stop, question, or arrest transgender persons solely for using a gender-segregated or single-sex restroom, including public restrooms."​Portland City Code Section 14A.50.110 includes language inconsistent with City of Portland core values, Portland City Code, and Portland Police Bureau operating directives​Portland City Code Section 23.01.030, Definitions, provides that all other terms in Chapter 23 be defined as in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 659 and 659A.​ORS Chapter 659A defines "family status" as "the relationship between one or more individuals who have not attained 18 years of age and who are domiciled with: a parent or another person having legal custody of the individual; or ​the designee of the parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of the parent or other person."​ORS Chapter 659A's definition of "family status" includes "any individual, regardless of age or domicile, who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of an individual who has not attained 18 years of age"​The Portland City Council recognizes that families exist in many diverse forms, and providing an expanded definition of family status will expand nondiscrimination protections and improve the health, safety and general welfare of Portland community members. ​​​NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:​​​Amend City Code Section 14A.50.110 as shown in Exhibit A.​Amend City Code Sections 23.01.010, 23.01.030, 23.01.050, 23.01.060, and 23.01.070 as shown in Exhibit B​.

Meetings, motions, amendments, and votes4 meetings · 3 votes

Recorded amendments

Feb 25, 2026 · Passed

Motion to amend Exhibit B as shown in Koyama Lane 1: Moved by Koyama Lane and seconded by Avalos. (Aye (10): Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Green, Zimmerman, Dunphy; Absent (2): Ryan, Clark) Passed to second reading as amended March 4, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Feb 19, 2026 · Continued

Motion to amend Exhibit B as shown in Koyama Lane 1: Moved by Koyama Lane and seconded by Avalos. Vote not called. Continued to February 25, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Read all 5 exact motions
Feb 25, 2026 · Main · Withdrawn

Motion to table Items 2026-073 and 2026-074: Moved by Pirtle-Guiney and seconded by Zimmerman. Motion withdrawn.

Feb 25, 2026 · Procedural · Recorded

Motion to postpone Items 2026-073 and 2026-074 to next Wednesday's meeting: Moved by Pirtle-Guiney and seconded by Zimmerman.

Feb 25, 2026 · Procedural · Failed

Motion to divide the question to vote on Items 2026-073 and 2026-074 separately: Moved by Morillo. Vote called to postpone Item 2026-073 to next Wednesday's meeting: (Aye (5): Smith, Pirtle-Guiney, Novick, Zimmerman, Dunphy; Nay (5): Avalos, Kanal, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Green; Absent (2): Ryan, Clark). Motion failed to pass.

Feb 25, 2026 · Amendment · Passed

Motion to amend Exhibit B as shown in Koyama Lane 1: Moved by Koyama Lane and seconded by Avalos. (Aye (10): Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Green, Zimmerman, Dunphy; Absent (2): Ryan, Clark) Passed to second reading as amended March 4, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Feb 19, 2026 · Amendment · Continued

Motion to amend Exhibit B as shown in Koyama Lane 1: Moved by Koyama Lane and seconded by Avalos. Vote not called. Continued to February 25, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Final Council action · Mar 11, 202611 yes · 0 no · 1 absent

Final action on 2026-073: ​​Amend Civil Rights Code related to sexual orientation and family status definitions and amend nondiscrimination clauses (amend Code Section 14A.50.110 and Code Chapter 23.01)

Meeting-level motion or recommendation · Feb 25, 20265 yes · 5 no · 2 absent

Motion to divide the question to vote on Items 2026-073 and 2026-074 separately: Moved by Morillo. Vote called to postpone Item 2026-073 to next Wednesday's meeting: (Aye (5): Smith, Pirtle-Guiney, Novick, Zimmerman, Dunphy; Nay (5): Avalos, Kanal, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Green; Absent (2): Ryan, Clark). Motion failed to pass.

Meeting-level motion or recommendation · Feb 25, 202610 yes · 2 absent

Motion to amend Exhibit B as shown in Koyama Lane 1: Moved by Koyama Lane and seconded by Avalos. (Aye (10): Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Green, Zimmerman, Dunphy; Absent (2): Ryan, Clark) Passed to second reading as amended March 4, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

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Source record
First discovered
Aug 13, 2026, 1:06 PM PDT
Last checked
Sep 13, 2026, 2:25 AM PDT
Evidence hash
e1111df133ad43b0
Guide status
Deterministic baseline
Append-only timeline
  1. SOURCE UPDATED

    Passed as amended by council

  2. DOCUMENT PUBLISHED

    Observed in the official source.

  3. Council Action

    Passed as amended

  4. Council Action

    Rescheduled

  5. Council Action

    Passed to second reading as amended

  6. Council Action

    Continued