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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.
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus presents: Light the Way Home Join the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus as they ring in this festive season with an evening of choral magic. In the midst of a chaotic world, PGMC celebrates the quirky and joyous importance of those we choose to call family. Expect holiday classics, new favorites, and…
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…
Our Town
Fuse Theatre Ensemble presents Our Town, a metatheatrical three-act play that won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1938. The play tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover’s Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. An American theater classic, Our Town investigates the nature of life,…
THE BELLE SUPPER CLUB: A Burlesque Dinner Cabaret
Taste the luscious charms and delectable cheekiness of Vintage Portland nightlife as Lacy Productions presents: THE BELLE SUPPER CLUB: A Burlesque Dinner Cabaret at the Victorian Belle Mansion in Portland. Escape the everyday and delve into cabaret dreams at THE BELLE SUPPER CLUB (located inside the enclosed and heated garden space) while enjoying dinner, cocktails,…
The Queen's Keys
Drag artists Saint Syndrome and Nicole Onoscopi bring you live vocals and piano, mixed with comedy and storytelling. A perfect event for date night or a family night out. (All ages are welcome.)
Jonathan Van Ness
Jonathan Van Ness is an Emmy-nominated television personality, New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, and hairstylist to the stars. He stars in Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning reboot series “Queer Eye,” where he shines as the hair guru and self-care advocate. He was a 2020 Primetime Emmy nominee for ‘Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program’…
Picture Day
Celebrated photographer Elle Hygge offers professional portraits and headshots that celebrate the diversity of Portland at an 80% discount. LGBTQIA2S+ friendly and support animals welcome. This is an event sponsored by the gallery and the urban art hike to encourage everyone to come to the gallery and take pictures with art. pay the gallery @GalleryGoGoGo…
Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue
Imagine a lush, decadent, special speakeasy that you enter through a hushed bar. You descend the staircase to be greeted with resplendently eerie surroundings, vendors with wares to delight your senses, libations of the most glorious, food to nourish your weary soul, and a reader that will tell you of your fortune. In the next…
Booklover’s Burlesque
BOOKLOVER’S BURLESQUE: The Holiday Edition A Booklover’s Burlesque special edition at The Alberta Rose Theatre just in time for a most festive and flirty holiday season. Booklover’s Burlesque is the world’s sexiest literary salon which matches titillating, inspiring, and empowering book readings with burlesque, boylesque, and draglesque performances all in one show. Professional readers, actors,…
Everything in Between w/ Danelle Porter
A femme-focused standup comedy showcase featuring a lineup of Portland’s finest and funniest comics that are NOT straight white guys. Can men even really BE funny? We’re not so convinced. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door only.
Spectrum Holigay Art Market
Join in for the first market of the winter series, which features 15 LGBTQ2SIA+ artists from the Portland Metro area and resident ADX artists. You will find print art, jewelry, accessories, apparel, ceramics, and so much more. Free to the public Masks are required Follow Spectrum Art Market on Instagram to learn more about the…
Holiday Concert
Rose City Wind Symphony presents, “The Holiday Gift of Music.” Join Rose City Wind Symphony in celebrating the holiday season through music. The program will contain some of your holiday favorites. This concert is free to the public with donations gladly accepted.
Poison Waters + Friends Holiday Cocktail Party
Celebrate the season at Hotel Vance while supporting Camp KC. Camp KC (Kids Connection) is a fun and safe summer camp experience for children ages 5-15 living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. Camp KC is a free, weeklong overnight camp located on the Oregon Coast that is supported by donations, grants, and approximately 50 volunteers….
My Perfectly Valid Objections
Salt and Sage Productions is proud to present the World Premiere of playwright Mikki Gillette’s My Perfectly Valid Objections. A feminist comedy about “dating while trans,” Gillette’s play depicts a group of trans women navigating the minefield of heterosexual dating. The tart, queer comedy lays out all the arguments against love – both during the…
Barefoot Fusion
Barefoot is a structured, weekly fusion dance event that remains a creative dance community at its heart. All dance levels are welcome, and no prior dance experience is required. At Barefoot, every Friday, you’ll see everything from Traditional Blues dancing to “Fusion dancing,” which combines two or more dance styles danced to non-traditional music. For…
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