How to Connect With the Gay and Lesbian Community in Portland
Designated by Girlfriends magazine as fourth best place for lesbians to live, Portland has the 13th highest number of same-sex couples according to the 2000 census. In the "spring of love" in 2004, over 3,000 of them were issued marriage licenses at the Multnomah County Courthouse before a judge halted the march of marriage equality that was sweeping the West Coast. There's plenty to be proud of in Portland.
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Instructions
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Get your game on! The Q Center, Portland's GLBT community center, offers everything from Bunko for Singles to Game Night featuring Pictionary, Cranium and more. It's a great way to get to know people.
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Tour the town. Check out all the gay-friendly areas: Southeast Hawthorne, Belmont and Sellwood, Northeast Broadway, Nob Hill/Northwest, Pearl District and Southwest Stark Street/Burnside Triangle-the most visibly gay thoroughfare.
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Read up on all the GLBT news and events in Just Out, the gay newspaper and website.
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Experience a burst of Pride. Portland's Pride festival takes place over a full weekend each June. Watch the parade or find a float or a marching contingent and be in it.
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Take part in art. From the Rose City Gay Freedom Band to Triangle Productions, Portland has plenty of GLBT arts associations including lesbian and gay choruses.
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Love the nightlife. Explore Portland's many gay and lesbian bars and nightclubs for dancing, drag shows and dating prospects.
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Go to church or temple. Portland has plenty of welcoming places of worship.
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Tips & Warnings
Dig deep and you'll find activities and groups to fit your particular interest, from the Gay and Jewish organization to gay kayaking.
Once you're embedded in Portland's GLBT community, you may be so happy, you'll never want to leave town, even for vacation!
