LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) Portland

In Portland, you’ll find natural beauty, distinctive neighborhoods, culture galore and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

By Andrew Collins

Portland has long had a reputation for being individualistic, quirky and . . . dare we say it, queer. Never keen to conform to mainstream standards, Portland has a laid-back style and a reverence for all things local — an irresistible combination for chefs, environmentalists, filmmakers, musicians, writers, techies and just about anyone else who enjoys coloring outside the lines.

Sprinkled among Portland’s population are several artsy LGBT notables, including filmmakers Gus Van Sant and Todd Haynes, musicians Thomas Lauderdale (Pink Martini) and Beth Ditto (The Gossip), and Fight Club novelist Chuck Palahniuk.

Any of these luminaries might be seen at Portland’s annual Red Dress Party (www.reddresspdx.com). This spring event — which benefits local LGBT charities — inspires guys and gals alike to don red party wear and celebrate into the wee hours. The diverse crowd (Chelsea Clinton attended in 2008) is representative of Portland’s spirit of inclusion. Here, it’s never a surprise to find a mix of gays, straights and everyone in between mingling in shops, restaurants, hotels and bars all over town, such as the Aalto Lounge on Southeast Belmont Street or Zaytoon in the Alberta Arts District.

So, where do gays and lesbians hang out in Portland? It’s hard to choose one area — there are popular LGBT spots all around the city, from the urbane Pearl District to free-spirited Hawthorne. Here’s a look at a few of Portland’s most gay-welcoming neighborhoods.

Downtown: In the city’s urban core, the Cultural District is where you’ll find many local arts institutions, from the museums along the tree-shaded South Park Blocks to the opulent Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The “West End” (adjacent to the Pearl District) has a handful of gay bars and cafés. The verdant campus of Portland State University hosts a farmers’ market on Saturdays, and RiverPlace encompasses a marina, hotels and waterfront shops and eateries.

Pearl District: Once an industrial district, the Pearl has sprung to life in recent years, its sturdy warehouses converted into sleek restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and lounges. Stylish residential towers rise alongside the neighborhood’s older structures, which include Powell’s City of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world.

Old Town/Chinatown: Snug between the Willamette River and the Pearl, this historic district contains numerous galleries and gay nightlife favorites and is home to the Portland Saturday Market. You can also stroll through the tranquil Lan Su  Chinese Garden or go underground with Portland Walking Tours to explore the city’s “Shanghai Tunnels.”

Mississippi Avenue: Ethnically diverse, Mississippi Avenue is one of several eastside neighborhoods where independent businesses and creative spirits thrive. In this DIY neighborhood, you’ll find down-home taquerías, one of Portland’s best comic book stores (Bridge City Comics), a huge emporium of reclaimed building materials (the ReBuilding Center) and Q Center (www.pdxqcenter.org), which serves the LGBTQ community.

Hawthorne & Belmont: These two southeast outposts of hippie and hipster culture have long been popular with lesbians and gays.  Diverting, affordable and funky coffeehouses, bars, secondhand clothiers and boutiques line Hawthorne Boulevard and Belmont Street.

No matter which part of town you visit (we humbly recommend them all), you’ll be welcomed with genuine warmth. And you needn’t take our word for it — Portland has been ranked among the best places to live in America by such wide-ranging authorities as Girlfriends magazine, Men’s Journal and Money Magazine.

So, plan your trip soon and find out for yourself why this city of nearly 600,000 has become such a draw for gay visitors.

Visitor Tips

Out in Portland

Explore Portland through the eyes of local community members — download Out in Portland, our publication for LGBT travelers.

Want to know what's happening around town? Check Just Out's event calendar.

Q Center’s Calendar

Check out what’s happening at Q Center. All events are at the Q Center at 4115 N. Mississippi Ave., unless otherwise noted.

qPDX

This independent blog covers queer news, views and events for Portland and the Northwest. http://qpdx.com/