Get to know ORPIB Partner OUT Central Oregon
OUT Central Oregon (OCO), founded as a non-profit organization in 2018, is Central Oregon’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy organization. OCO’s service area is Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties covering 7,824 square miles, roughly the size of New Jersey. Seventy-five percent is designated as rural with a population of 258,254. OCO’s efforts to adapt and respond to 2SLGBTQIA+ community needs are to create safe spaces and opportunities fostering connection, education, and support, cultivating a sense of belonging and reducing loneliness for our diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Central Oregon.
We are a volunteer-led organization and are deeply connected to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Our working Board of Directors, all queer individuals, bring intimate knowledge and lived experiences, understanding daily challenges, inequities, discrimination, and the profound need for community and belonging, especially in rural areas.
We recognize the intersectionality within our community, including the challenges faced by queer people of color and gender nonbinary individuals. These identities often create additional barriers in areas like safety, healthcare, housing, and workforce opportunities.OUT Central Oregon’s Mission is to promote inclusivity, visibility, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ people living in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties by fostering community engagement.
What We Do
Advocacy
We serve as a hub for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and bring others together inclusively and visibly by promoting social, educational, and cultural engagement in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties.
Education
We support and facilitate educational and cultural programs and discussions that advance the knowledge and well-being of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community within Central Oregon.
Partnerships
We partner with businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to expand our ability to build and encourage community engagement ensuring that 2SLGBTQIA+ community members receive culturally competent care and assistance.