The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the state agency responsible for overseeing mental health policies, has appointed a new advisory board member who identifies as a turtle.

During a virtual meeting of the OHA’s Consumer Advisory Council in December, JD Holt, who also goes by JD Terrapin on Facebook, introduced themselves with their preferred pronouns, stating, “Hello everybody, it’s JD. I use they, them, and turtle for my pronouns,” according to Fox News.

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Holt is one of roughly two dozen individuals serving on the council, which is responsible for influencing mental health policies across Oregon.

The advisory group, selected under OHA Director Sejal Hathi, plays a role in shaping the state’s approach to behavioral health services.

Holt’s online presence includes posts promoting activism, including a post from January 29 titled, “WHAT TO DO AT AN ICE CHECKPOINT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WHITE and/or FEEL THE NEED TO JAM UP THE WORKS.”

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The post, uncovered by Fox News, encouraged certain actions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) checkpoints, stating, “White citizens, you have a level of privilege which protects us from retaliation from ICE for being ‘rude’ and making a scene, which makes it our DUTY to speak up and make sure people without the same privilege know their rights. GET LOUD. YELL. YELL IN SPANISH IF YOU KNOW IT. LET PEOPLE KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE TO SAY SH**. MAKE ICE UNCOMFORTABLE. THROW SAND IN THE GEARS OF WHITE SUPREMACY.”

Holt is not the only unusual appointee to the council.

Another member has been identified as “Luke A Shooting Star.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, OHA defended the appointments, stating that the members’ perspectives “are highly valued.”

“In following Oregon statute, every member of the Oregon Consumer Advisory Council is someone with lived experience, bring [sic] the voice and experiences of people across the state that have experienced behavioral health challenges,” said OHA spokesperson Amber Shoebridge.

Shoebridge explained that the selection process involves input from existing council members, a seven-member committee, and the OHA director, who makes the final decision.

She added that members are chosen to represent “independent, consumer-run organizations, consumer-run advocacy organizations and consumer-operated advisory councils that are active or headquartered in this state.”

The Consumer Advisory Council is tasked with evaluating and recommending changes to Oregon’s behavioral health resources.

Each year, the group develops a working plan with policy recommendations and goals. The council is also authorized to establish committees to investigate specific areas related to behavioral health services.

State legislators have strengthened the council’s influence in recent years, updating its governing rules as recently as last year.

While the OHA did not disclose how much funding is allocated to the Consumer Advisory Council, the agency’s total budget for the 2023-2025 biennium is $35.8 billion, according to its website.

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