Pride Northwest
Portland Pride Festival, also referred to as Pride Northwest, which is the name of the non-profit that organizes Portland, Oregon's pride event.Gay pride in Portland has been celebrated since the 1970's. The Portland Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer Pride Celebration, is a parade and festival held in June each year to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people and their allies. Few cities the size of Portland have a more progressive and active GLBT community, and this is especially the case since the election in 2008 of Sam Adams as city mayor (making Portland the one of the largest city in America with an openly gay mayor).[2]
Pride Northwest, Inc
In 1994, Pride Northwest, Inc. was officially created as an organization. This is a non-profit organization that organizes the Pride Northwest festival every year in Portland, OR.[3] The mission of Pride Northwest, Inc. is to encourage and celebrate the positive diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, and to assist in the education of all people through the development of activities that showcase the history, accomplishments, and talents of these communities. [4]Pride Northwest's official name for the event is "The Portland Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer Pride Celebration."[5] Informally it is referred to it as Queer Pride. The Pride Northwest organization is committed to being as inclusive as they can. They claim that calling the event "Gay Pride" dismisses the fact that many many people who do not identify as gay attend this event and are part of the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community is very diverse, and as an organization, they wish to acknowledge and honor that diversity.
Events
Pride Northwest was originally scheduled to run every June to commemorate the stonewall Riots in New York. It was originally planned to be on the third weekend in June, however it has been switched to Fathers' Day weekend due to Waterfront Park's popularity and maintenance schedule. The actual pride parade is held on the Sunday during Fathers' Day weekend. [6]
Portland Dyke March
Pride Northwest also includes a Dyke March during pride weekend. Women, biological or otherwise are encouraged to march and generally gather in Portland's North Park Blocks on the Saturday before the pride parade. Allies are encouraged to support the Dyke March from the sidelines.[7]
Oregon's indecent exposure law
In Portland, it is not illegal for women to go topless in public, Oregon's indecent exposure law only prohibits nudity intended to induce arousal in public.[8]Women are allowed to be topless at the Pride events. Pride Northwest does encourage all of it's attendees to express themselves as they choose, and be tolerant of one another. [9]
Pride Northwest Themes & Parade Grand Marshall
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshall(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "United We Stand" | Kendall Clawson |
| 2008 | "Pride Bring It" | |
| 2007 | "" | Tina Kotek |
| 2006 | "" | |
| 2005 | "Everyday People" | Vera Katz |
| 2004 | "" | |
| 2003 | "" | |
| 2002 | "" | |
| 2001 | "" | Ann Shepherd |
| 2000 | "" | |
| 1999 | "" | |
| 1998 | "" | |
| 1997 | "" | |
| 1996 | "" | Chastity Bono |
| 1995 | "" | |
| 1994 | "" |
References
- ^ "Flickr",11-29-2009
- ^ "About.com",12-02-2009
- ^ "Pridenw.org",11-29-2009
- ^ "Pridenw.org",11-29-2009
- ^ "Pridenw.org",12-02-2009
- ^ "Pridenw.org",11-29-2009
- ^ "dykemarchportland.com",11-29-2009
- ^ "gotopless.org",11-29-2009
- ^ "pridenw.org",11-29-2009