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Visitors to Portland can experience huge LGBTQ+ Pride parades, drag performances, queer film festivals, dance parties and more.
Portland’s LGBTQ+ Community
Portland’s queer community includes a Guinness World Record holding drag queen, gay dance clubs and sports leagues, community organizations, and dozens of LGBTQ+-owned businesses. Portland was also the first major city to elect an openly gay mayor (Sam Adams in 2008).
The Rose City has a long history of gay rights activism. The Portland Gay Liberation Front (PGLF) formed in 1970, not long after the riots at Stonewall. Two years later, Oregon became the fourth state to repeal its sodomy laws, and in 1974, the Portland City Council passed a law barring employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Read more about LGBTQ+ history in Portland.
Gay Pride in Portland
Portland held its first outdoor pride celebration in 1975. Since then, Pride has grown into a month-long event celebrated throughout the city.
The annual Portland Pride Festival and Parade takes place every June. Activities include a two-day festival at Waterfront Park, multiple parades and performances by Portland’s Gay Men’s Chorus.
Portland’s thriving LGBTQ+ community can be found year-round at institutions and events across the city. Read the LGBTQ+ Nightlife article for traveler-favorite clubs and dance nights or learn more about Portland’s drag and burlesque scene. Find LGBTQ+-owned restaurants, bars and other organizations to support on the Oregon Pride in Business (ORPIB) website, or search Portland’s Gay Directory.
LGBTQ+ Life in Portland
Is Portland LGBTQ+-friendly?
How large is Portland’s LGBTQ+ community?
Where can I find a list of LGBTQ+-owned businesses?
LGBTQ+ Events and Activities
Connect with Portland's queer community
LGBTQ+ Nightlife
Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly bars and clubs. Whether you're looking for a relaxing night with friends, a high-energy dance party or a drag show, Portland delivers.
LGBTQ+ Sports & Recreation
Portland abounds with LGBTQ-friendly sports and recreation opportunities.
LGBTQ+ Performing Arts & Drag
Portland's drag show options include drag queen brunch and a Guinness World Record holder.
LGBTQ+ Community Groups and Resources
Portland is home to numerous safe spaces and mental health resources for people of all gender identities including Q Center,the largest LGBTQ+ center in the Pacific Northwest. Q Center welcomes all LGBTQ2SIA+ people and provides peer support services for different ages and gender identities.
Rose Haven is a day shelter and community center serving women, children and gender non-conforming people in Portland. Community health workers and student nurses are available to address medical needs. View a complete list of LGBTQ+ support groups and organizations in Portland.
Connect with Portland’s queer community and do something to benefit both your physical and mental health by signing up for a run, hike, kayak trip, or other activity hosted by one of Portland’s queer workout clubs or outdoor adventure groups.
Portland Frontrunners host events every weekend and most Tuesdays. If running’s not your thing, check out Varsity Gay League‘s weekly dodgeball and kickball games. See more LGBTQ+ sports and recreation activities in Portland.
Arts & Culture
Meet the folks behind the sounds, sights and screens of queer culture in Portland.
Portland Queer Film Festival
Portland Queer Film Festival returns every fall with an annual showcase of narrative and documentary films from around the world.
Future Prairie: A Collective of Women and Queer Artists
Portland’s Future Prairie is a collective of women and queer artists that presents chautauqua-inspired live shows, as well as a podcast.
Meet Queer Indigenous Musician, Black Belt Eagle Scout
Portland artist Katherine Paul draws inspiration from the riot grrrl movement, Nirvana and her Swinomish roots.
LGBTQ+ Events
Celebrate Portland's vibrant LGBTQ+ community at these upcoming events.
SheBrew
SheBrew is an all genders, all ages fundraising event to show support for female-identified members of our community, while supporting LGBTQ people here in Oregon and across the Nation. Come try local female craft beer and cider accompanied by musicians, comedians, games, raffle and community celebrities. Join us for our 3rd annual festival while celebrating…
HallowQUEEN Drag Show
Come join us for a spooktacular night of drag performances at The Pharmacy. Halloween will never be the same once Devlin Lynn Phoenixx and her cast of talented queens take over our stage for a night of thrilling tricks and treats.
THE CABARET SOCIETY: A Rooftop Burlesque Revue
Stylishly sensual. Decidedly sultry. Uniquely seductive. Enjoy the view with us as Lacy Productions presents… THE CABARET SOCIETY: A Rooftop Burlesque Revue Bringing you the very best burlesque, boylesque, and draglesque artists from the Pacific Northwest and visiting performers from around the world– situated on the Lovejoy Rooftop at The Botanist in the heart of…
Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue
The veil is at its thinnest, and more ghoul-la-la is needed in your soul to ease the oncoming dread of winter. Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Revue is here to provide the needed respite from your dreary doldrums! Join Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue for a spectacular spellbinding show at our beloved venue,…
Willamette FLEA
Shop the Willamette FLEA for a delightful adventure supporting local micro-businesses. Discover a mix of vintage, collectibles, makers, and artists. Have a cup of coffee from Barista Brews and get some amazing Missionary Chocolate vegan truffles. The Willamette FLEA is a small indoor market held in NE Portland dedicated to creating an interesting market for…
Gay Skate
Roll out with your friends and loved ones to our monthly Gay Skate Session, held the 3rd Monday night of the month from 7-9 PM. Everyone is welcome at this all-ages event at Oaks Bottom. Admission tickets allow access to the Oaks Park Roller Rink for the selected Gay Skate Session date/time. Includes conventional skate…
Drag Brunch at The Pharmacy
21+ drag brunch in the heart of North West. Doors at 10 am with the show at 12 pm. $25.00 gets you your meal, a mimosa, and the best drag show in town. The event is hosted by PDX’s best queens with a rotating cast for each event that’s sure to dazzle you with their…
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
Celebrate the winter season and PGMC’s return to the live stage with music that celebrates being together and finding joy. With a mixture of holiday favorites and winter tunes perfect for times like these, PGMC is sure to brighten your season with cheer and wonderful music.
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