Non-Binary People's Day
Today, July 14, is International Non-Binary People’s Day. Civic Life strives to create an inclusive space for all Portlanders to engage and be supported by the City of Portland. Celebrating Non-Binary People’s Day raises awareness about the diversity of our community and shows support for people, regardless of how they identify.
As described by the Human Rights Campaign, “non-binary” is someone who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman or as falling completely outside these categories. Many non-binary people also identify as transgender, though not all do.
Want to learn more and become an ally? Here are some great resources:
Understanding non-binary people: how to be respectful and supportive
What is non-binary gender?
The difference between sexual orientation and gender
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Image of Portland Building, designed by Michael Graves. Civic Life recently moved into the newly renovated building.
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Making Space for Everyone
On July 2, the Oregon Health Authority announced that Oregon officially reached its 70% statewide vaccination goal. The following week, the City of Portland announced its employees would begin a “soft re-entry” into their offices.
The option for Civic Life employees to slowly come back to the office is a big change, but so is the location where we are returning to. For years, Civic Life employees have been spread throughout Portland—some working in the City Hall Building, others at Penumbra Kelly Building on East Burnside. But now, almost all Civic Life employees (Civic Life’s City-run District Coalition offices will continue to be located offsite) are finally coming together to work under one roof at the newly renovated Portland Building.
The Portland Building, designed by renowned architect Michael Graves and topped with Raymond Kaskey’s massive copper Portlandia statue, recently went through a huge renovation to retain the its postmodern architectural style while updating building materials to better safeguard against earthquakes and weather, improve accessibility for all occupants and visitors, and update the electric, mechanical, plumbing, and technical systems.
Another significant change made to the building are the installation of gender-neutral bathrooms. The bathroom change may seem insignificant, but it is an important signifier that our City is committed to building inclusive spaces for everyone—especially as 2021 is becoming a record-breaking year for anti-transgender legislation.
Gender-neutral bathrooms allow for people, regardless of their gender identity, to use the bathroom safely. In fact, this renovation change ensures that no one feels uncomfortable, unwelcome, or harassed for using the restroom of their choice. The restrooms have stalls with doors that reach to the floor and for those that feel uncomfortable using the gender-neutral bathrooms, there are single user restrooms available directly adjacent.
For now, the Portland Building is closed to the public but as our city, state and nation begin to slowly ease pandemic restrictions, we are excited to invite people to visit this newly renovated building that has been built to be an inclusive space for everyone.
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Clockwise, left to right: Michael Phelps, Naomi Osaka, Brittney Spears, and Sha'Carri Richardson
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We Are Only Human
It is not a secret that Civic Life hasn’t been “OK” this past year. In fact, the struggles we have dealt with as a bureau are the reason Interim Director Michael Montoya and Commissioner-in-Charge Jo Ann Hardesty prioritized a 12-month healing period for Civic Life employees.
What is deeply humanizing about our current state is that we all experience crisis at different points of our lives and our society is finally beginning to normalize talking about it. For example, our news cycle is openly discussing how judicial systems can intensify mental health while shuttering one’s human independence and livelihood, evidenced by Britney Spears’ struggle with a decade-long conservatorship.
Even the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, shocked us when he shared that he dealt with significant mental health issues. And the former No.1 tennis player, and back-to-back grand slam tournament winner, Naomi Osaka penned an essay about mental health in which she asked the press to give her 'privacy and empathy’.
Track and field sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was recently disqualified from participating in the Olympics because she used cannabis to help her through a mental health crisis. Richardson explained that she used cannabis after finding out from a journalist that her mother had passed away. “I was just thinking it would be a normal interview,” said Richardson. “But to hear that information coming from a complete stranger, it was definitely triggering, it was definitely nerve-shocking.” Richardson said she used cannabis to deal with the emotional pain, explaining: “I know I can’t hide myself, so... in some type of way, I was trying to hide my pain.” Her Olympic disqualification has led to a national debate as to the validity of the punishment.
Civic Life’s Cannabis Program Supervisor, Dasheeda Dawson, was interviewed by the Washington Post’s The Lily on July 3, about Richardson’s disqualification. Dawson said that Richardson’s use of cannabis did not break any state law as cannabis use is legal in Oregon. She also pointed out how laws and regulations that influence policies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency’s are hypocritical because the U.S. government has taken out a patent on the medicinal use of cannabis.
“This ban is a direct result of a lack of cannabis competency and true understanding about the science of the plant, " Dawson told Civic Life. "Not only did Sha'Carri choose an effective medicine to deal with the unexpected grief of losing her mother, she also chose an effective medicine for the joint and muscle recovery necessary for an Olympic caliber athlete. As an Oregon cannabis regulator, I'm outraged by the injustice of an adult being punished for consumption in a legal state.”
We all experience different kinds of crisis. When you’re in midst of one, healing requires a long and private journey that requires tremendous care, and lots of empathy. In fact, so many people have felt vulnerable during the pandemic, that the term “languishing” has gained collective understanding and acceptance.
“We must normalize conversations about mental health and do the necessary educating to destigmatize mental health,” said Civic Life Mental Health Program Specialist Tyesha McCool Riley. “Our society historically looks at mental health as a form of weakness or a character flaw that we are embarrassed to talk about. Instead, our society, communities and workplaces need to prioritize mental health by creating safe spaces for healing, acceptance, empathy and dialogue—where true strength and resilience reside.”
We need to realize that maybe we’re not OK and need some help as we reemerge. We encourage you to seek help if you need it; visit this list of mental health and community care resources, or read up on this list of cultural specific resources. Be well, and #FreeBritney.
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Image of Janus Youth Programs working in Village Gardens. The 2020 Small Grants Program provided funds to their Neighbor 2 Neighbor Veggies boxes, a program that connects neighborhood grown produce to low income households and families.
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Grant Opportunity
On June 16, City Council approved Civic Life’s Small Grants Program in the amount of $1,470,994. The funds are intended to provide support to Neighborhood Associations and community engagement activities that improve the livability and character Portland.
“I am thrilled that this grant program was approved by City Council,” said Mary Kelley, a coordinator at the North Portland Neighborhood Services District Coalition Office. “In the past, these grants have provided funds to advance incredible efforts by our neighbors—from community gardens to supporting houseless communities. It is so important that we are able to support neighborhood improvement projects designed by and for community members.”
The funds will be administered by each of the city’s four District Coalition offices and details about how to apply for the grant will be announced in August.
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Charter Review Funding Opportunity
The City of Portland currently has two funding opportunities available for partner organizations to help design and implement community education and engagement activities that will meaningfully engage Portlanders who have historically left out of City Hall decision making.
Applications are due Friday, August 6, 2021. Find out more here.
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We Need Your Input!
The City of Portland and Downtown Clean & Safe will host two community listening sessions around how to make downtown Portland clean, safe, and successful as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession.
The two community listening sessions will shape a new scope of work for the enhanced services district in downtown Portland. Participants will learn about the latest community feedback from Downtown Clean & Safe’s 2020 Business Survey and have the opportunity to let us know what’s working, what’s not working, and what the city and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe can do to improve.
Downtown Clean & Safe is one of three enhanced service districts in Portland. This City program allows property and business owners to form districts that fund extra services such as trash cleanup, graffiti removal, business activation, and community ambassadors.
Community listening sessions are as follows:
- July 27, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm via Zoom and in Room 108 of the Portland Building, 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Portland 97204
- July 27, 2021 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm via Zoom
Ratepayer focused sessions are as follows:
- July 20, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm via Zoom
- August 17, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm via Zoom
To register for any of these sessions, please visit https://www.portland.gov/omf/esd.
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Photo Credit: Tojo Andrianarivo, from a dance performance at My People's Market at 4 Broadway Post Office
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My People's Market is Back!
Launched in 2017, My People's Market is a place where newcomers to Portland are known to cry tears of joy as they experience a space where cultural affirmation, connection, and community are made.
My People’s Market was created by Travel Portland and Prosper Portland to advance opportunities for business owners of color. And this August, visitors will once again be invited to shop, eat, and watch performances by entrepreneurs, makers, artists, culinary wizards, and beverage crafters of color!
All vendors are sourced from Mercatus – a business directory and story archive that elevates the narratives of entrepreneurs of color in the Portland, while connecting the City and region to the local talents, businesses, services and products.
The market will take place over three days on the North Park Blocks (around 220 NW 8th Avenue):
- Friday, Aug. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m.,
- Saturday, Aug. 7 from noon to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 8 from noon to 6 p.m.
Tickets aren’t required to attend but they are encouraged. You can RSVP and receive your tickets here.
You can follow My People's Market on their Instagram @mypeoplemarket
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Join an Advisory Body!
Joining an advisory body is a way for Portlanders to lend their expertise and personal or professional experience to the City of Portland. As an advisory body member, you will work closely with community members and City of Portland liaisons to impact policies and programs.
Bureau of Emergency Communications User Board– Closes July 30
The Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) provides all 9-1-1 services within Multnomah County, including police, fire, and medical emergency and non-emergency call answering, triage, and dispatch. The BOEC User Board includes representatives from user jurisdictions and partner agencies within Multnomah County served by BOEC, as well as three community representatives. Apply here!
North Portland in Motion Community Action Group– Closes July 31
North Portland in Motion is an upcoming planning effort to identify transportation needs and near-term investments to improve access to community destinations and support walking, biking, and transit use in the North Portland peninsula. The North Portland in Motion Community Advisory Group (CAG) will play an essential role in providing feedback, helping solicit and engage the broader North Portland community, and helping shape the final plan recommendations. Apply here!
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