Portland was the first major city to elect an openly gay mayor (Sam Adams in 2008)
Portland is a city with a lot of green spaces, that has an environmental consciousness. You can drive an hour and a half west to get to the ocean or an hour east to be in the mountains. Respect for the environment is just ingrained in native residents that have a reputation for being reserved with a laid back attitude. Outdoor recreation is popular in the Pacific Northwest and Portland is home to one of the largest urban forests in the country, and with over 80 miles of trails. Hiking comes naturally with Marquam Nature Park, Flicker Trail and if you like being by the water the Eastbank Esplanade, a floating, 1.5-mile esplanade leading to the Burnside Bridge is available for walking, featuring public art and native plants.
The city of Portland has a number of groups to connect and meet other LGBTQ community members including, “Portland Frontrunners, a running and walking club for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual individuals, and their friends. Our mission is to promote good health and provide an opportunity for positive social interaction through running, walking, and club events in a supportive, LGBTQIA community in Portland, Oregon. Our largest events include hosting the annual Portland Pride Run & Walk and the Bridge to Bridge Fun Run & Walk.”
It is also home to Outloud Sports, “the nation’s original premier queer and allied recreational sports organizations. With leagues in over 20 cities across the country, we unite our participants through year-round recreational activities, regional and national events, and opportunities to build community through social and philanthropic engagement and involvement.” Check out their FB page for info on registrations and other info.
For women with motorcycles, there is Portland Dykes on Bikes® Chapter.
“Rides to support Oregon and Washington LGBTQ communities. We participate in Pride Events of various cities. DOBPDX attends fundraisers, events in different cities, create rides together as a club to help promote LGBTQ events. We plan rides that incorporate all types of fun events so that we can spread queer visibility.”
Portland Pride happens in July, “Portland gets friendlier than ever with the annual Portland Pride Festival and Parade, which accompanies LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus) community celebrations all over town.
Portland Pride usually includes a two-day festival at Waterfront Park and an epic, colorful and joyous parade winding through downtown Portland. With food, drinks, live music and nonprofit information booths lining the Willamette River, the festival is a great place to gather, mingle and get more information about local LGBTQ+ groups.”
In Downtown Portland you will find the Burnside Triangle area . It is centered around SW Stark St. and comprises a triangular set of city blocks. Bounded by SW Alder St., SW 14th Ave., W Burnside St., and SW Broadway, the area hosts a combination of gay and gay-friendly businesses, restaurants, independent shops, housing, and social services. A welcoming space to the area drawing visitors throughout the region to many different meeting spots, including bars and nightclubs. A few downtown clubs include Scandals, Rainbow Room, Stag PDX, across the Willamette River you can find Crush Bar that has comedy and drag shows.
With all of its natural beauty, home prices are said to be at least 30% higher than the national average, although utility costs are cheaper than the national average. Still, it is less expensive to live there than Seattle. As for industry, if you are in to tech, located in the Portland metropolitan area, it has been nicknamed Silicon Forest, for the Washington County cluster of high-tech companies. Greater Portland has also been dubbed the world’s epicenter for apparel & outdoor with major brands operating here. The region is a leader in product design, prototyping, 3D printing, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and talent. The legendary outdoor recreation options provide a living laboratory for product testing.
