'In fact, this state was ground zero for anti-LGBTQ hate. 'Two decades ago, much of Oregon was hostile to the LGBTQ community,' says Amy Herzfeld-Copple, co-executive director of BRO. Portland was one of the first cities with an openly gay mayor, Oregon still has the nation's first openly LGBTQ governor, and city commissioners recently decided to make two-thirds of city restrooms gender-neutral.īasic Rights Oregon, the state's largest LGBTQ rights-oriented organization, says it's focusing its efforts outside of Portland city limits-hinting that the city is running out of battles to win. Last year, Portland lost another-the all-ages venue the Escape. And though Portland does still have gay bars and clubs, these bars are peeking out from an open casket, and their numbers continue to shrink.
Gayborhoods have traditionally been hubs for those yearning to unite in order to fight for civil rights, open LGBTQ-related businesses, combat discrimination, or simply feel at home.
