In the wake of a Supreme Court decision siding with a web designer in Colorado who declined to design a website for a same-sex couple based on religious beliefs and as anti-trans laws continue to go into effect across the country, Portland is preparing to make a statement in the other direction with its annual celebration of LGBTQ+ pride.
Portland Pride this year will include parties, marches and plenty of drag performances.
Many of these events are happening later than usual this year, in mid-July instead of June. And the official weekend, Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16, is jam-packed with fun events for people of all ages.
Here are nine highlights you won’t want to miss when you celebrate Pride this month. For the full list of events, visit portlandpride.org/portland-pride-official-events.
Drag-A-Thon
Portland-based clothing brand Wild Fang and drag venue Darcelle XV Showplace will host a 48-hour drag-a-thon in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest drag stage show. The event is expected raise over $250,000 for The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides support to LGBTQ youth. For more information, visit wildfang.com/pages/dragathon.
4 p.m. Monday, July 10, to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, Darcelle XV Showplace, 208 N.W. Third Ave.; sold out online, standby tickets $10 at the door.
wacamyos Pride Celebration
This event at PSU’s Native American Student & Community Center will feature native social dancing, kids’ activities and more celebrating the Two Spirits and LGBTQ+ BIPOC community in Portland. According to the website, “wacamyos (wah-chum-yos) is ‘rainbow’ in the nimiipuutimpt (Nez Perce) language. The ‘w’ is not capitalized, as they do not use capital letters.”
This event is open to anyone. For more information about this event email mpinkham@naranorthwest.org.
1-6 p.m. Friday, July 14, PSU Native American Student & Community Center, 710 S.W. Jackson St., all ages.
Lez Stand Up: Pride Edition
Celebrate Pride with an evening of laughs at the Siren Theater. Standups include Kirsten Kuppenbender and Arlo Weierhauser. Tickets are available at merctickets.com/events/141002775/lez-stand-up-pride.
8 p.m. Friday, July 14, The Siren Theater, 315 N.W. Davis St., $15.
Gaylabration presents: Into the Future
If you’re looking for an adults-only dance party with lasers and circus performers, Gaylabration is what you need. The party starts at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom at 9 p.m. and goes until late. You can find more information and buy tickets at gaylabration.org.
9 p.m. Friday, July 14, McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St., 21 and over, tickets start at $18.99.
Read more: Where to celebrate Pride in Oregon this summer
Opal Underground: 10 Hour Pride Patio Discotheque
Can you dance for 10 hours? You might as well try! There will be DJs and a photographer and a lot of dancing. For more information, visit opalunderground.gay. Please note, tickets are $30 at the door and cash only.
4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, July 14, White Owl Social Club, 1305 S.E. Eighth Ave., 21 and over, $30 cash only.
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival
The big event, the festival on the Portland waterfront, is a don’t-miss. It features booths from organizations big and small, food and beverages and live performances. While the festival does have a $10 suggested donation to get in, no one is turned away if they can’t pay. The big Pride parade, which is free, starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the North Park Blocks. The Trans Pride March begins in the same location at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and the Dyke March begins on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the waterfront near Southwest Harvey Milk Street.
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, July 15, and 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 16, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, all ages, $10 suggested donation.
Ankeny Alley Festival
Stroll through Ankeny Alley and explore vendors, food, art and entertainment. Don’t miss the Pride Pet Parade on Saturday.
10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, July 15-16, Southwest Ankeny Street between Southwest Second Street and Southwest Third Avenue, 21 and over after 8 p.m.
The Sports Bra Block Party
The first women’s-sports-only bar in the world will host its second annual Pride Block Party with DJs, food carts, drink specials, merch and giveaways.
1-10 p.m. Sunday, July 16, The Sports Bra, 2512 N.E. Broadway, all ages until 10 p.m., pre-sale tickets start at $50 with 50 set aside at $15 for those who cannot pay full price.
Sea Sickening Boat pRide
A boat ride for Pride! The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will act as cruise directors for this trip on the Portland Spirit featuring Drag Race All-Star Mariah Balenciaga, Nicole Onoscopi, Saint Syndrome, Kimberly Michelle Westwood, go-go dancers and DJs. Get tickets at eventbrite.com/e/sea-sickening-boat-pride-tickets-643515922447.
2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 16, 1010 S.W. Naito Pkwy., tickets start at $55.
— Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker
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