The proposal to create a Pride Caucus within Oregon’s educational system aimed to provide LGBTQ+ board members, students, and staff with a more prominent voice in the state’s education policies.
The motion required approval from the governing bodies of 197 school districts, 19 education service districts, and 17 community colleges, with a two-thirds majority needed for passage. A weighted voting system meant that larger districts, serving more students, had greater influence.
Despite strong support from advocates like Katrina Doughty, a board member of the Multnomah Education Service District, the motion ultimately failed by a narrow margin.
If successful, the caucus would have granted LGBTQ+ representation on the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) board of directors and its legislative policy committee, as well as provided funding for training and travel expenses.
The defeat of the Pride Caucus proposal is a setback for those advocating for greater inclusion and representation of LGBTQ+ individuals within the state’s educational framework, especially within the OSBA, which already includes caucuses for board members of color and those from rural communities.