I marched in my first Pride parade when I was 17 years old. I lived in Southern California and for my first march I was with the local bisexual group. It was the first time Long Beach Pride had allowed a bi group to march, and not everyone was happy to see us there. There were protesters who had come specifically for us, under their theory that the bisexuals were the “bridge” between the gay and straight populations, and it was our fault that straight people were getting HIV. Not all of the queer groups were happy with us either. It was the first - though far from the last - time that I experienced biphobia from within the queer community.

Despite all of that I marched with my head held high. I couldn’t have been prouder to be with the group of people who had already been such fantastic support for me. The group was something of a catch-all for queer misfits, people for whom other groups didn’t exist yet. We had a number of trans folks marching with us, and there was a big overlap with polyamorous folks and kinksters. These were the pre-internet days and finding your people and building community wasn’t as easy then as it is now. Pride parades and celebrations became a staple for me. My favorite was West Hollywood where the march was scandalous and colorful. When I went off to college the marches in Santa Cruz and San Francisco were my annual celebration.

I’ve called Portland home for 15 years now, and Portland Pride has a special place in my heart, too. A far more family friendly celebration than the Prides of my youth, it brings me joy to see children waving rainbow flags and participating in carnival games at the festival.
But Pride is more than just the parade and two day festival at the waterfront. Groups and venues all around town host Pride theme events making the celebration last all month long.

Although this isn’t an exhaustive list, here are some highlights of events to check out:

    ◆    June 10, The Mystery Box Show - The Mystery Box Show is one of my favorite Portland events and it’s a mainstay for the sex positive and curious people of Portland. Each show features five storytellers (I’ve been featured twice,) plus the charming hosts Reba and Eric. The stories run the gamut of sexual experience, from kink to poly to religion to disability, and more. What remains the same is the brave vulnerability of the storytellers, and the fabulous experience offered to the audience. http://www.mysteryboxshow.com

    ◆    June 10, Death of Glitter - This is Death of Glitter’s two year anniversary show! A genderf*ck cabaret, this show features a variety of exciting performers and and a portion of the door proceeds is donated to Brave Space, which creates community and facilitates access to knowledgeable and expert providers for transgender and non-binary children, youth, adults, and their families. http://www.deathofglitter.com

    ◆    June 13, Official Pride Kick Off Party - Food, drink, and a way to support Pride NW. https://pridenw.org/product/kickoff/

    ◆    June 13, Bi Brigade Pride Prom - The group that brings you the monthly Bi Bar at Crush now brings you a chance to have the queer prom of your dreams. Attend in formal attire with a partner or two, or none! This is the prom you wish you had had complete with starry night photo booth and actual alcohol and all the queer your little heart can handle. https://www.facebook.com/events/1672488836112474/

    ◆    June 17th, The Portland Dyke March. https://pridenw.org/event/2016-portland-dyke-march/

    ◆    June 17th, The Portland Trans March. https://pridenw.org/event/the-official-portland-trans-pride-march/

    ◆    June 17, Pants Off Dance Off - The Pants Off Dance Off is a monthly clothing optional sex positive dance party at Portland’s favorite all inclusive queer bar, Crush. This event consistently sells out, so be sure to get there early if you want a spot. http://www.crushbar.com

    ◆    June 17, Gaylabration - Back for its 7th year, Gaylabration is being heald at the TAO center this year, a huge space that will allow them to start earlier, and party later, than before. DJs, dancing, and booths from local community groups will be just part of this Pride celebration. http://www.gaylabration.org/

    ◆    June 17, Blow Pony’s 10th annual Queer Mutiny Fest NW - A fixture of queer nightlife, this Pride edition party features performers, DJs, and more, at their new home the Bossonova Ballroom. https://www.facebook.com/events/1452103144821880/

    ◆    June 17th, Slant Live Queer Storytelling. https://www.facebook.com/slantstories/
Portland’s original 100% queer-run LGBTQ storytelling event returns! SLANT Live Queer Storytelling 6 LGBTQ storytellers telling seven-minute stories at Mississippi Studios at 7:00 pm (doors at 6:00 pm). SLANT is hosted by SisterBritt and featuring stories by Cicely Rodgers, Nick Sahoyah, Colin Ashante, Brooke Shelley, Chrishawn West, Carlos the Rollerblader, and more! Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door.

    ◆    June 17-18, Waterfront Pride Festival - Two days of Pride goodness, with booths from local organizations and businesses, a stage featuring performances, and vendors selling treats and drinks (Clone-A-Willy will have a booth by the main stage!). Walking through the festival is a great way to see what organizations are supporting Pride and it’s a great chance to mix and mingle with other festival attendees.  https://pridenw.org

    ◆    June 18th, the Portland Pride Parade kicks off at 11am. https://pridenw.org

No matter now you decide to celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Pride month - and let me and Clone-a-Willy know via social media if you check out some of these events!

Written and researched by Stella Harris
Graphic designed by Kalaija Mallery