Pride Month is celebrated in the United States from June 1-30. It is a time to celebrate people who are Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, Genderfluid, and Nonbinary, as well as heterosexual and cisgender allies.

The Stonewall Riots of 1969 sparked a national movement of advocacy, justice, and solidarity that has spanned over five decades. LGBTQ advocacy holds a unique history in Oregon. In 1970, Peggy Burton, a teacher based in Turner, Oregon, bravely challenged discrimination when she was dismissed from her position due to her sexual orientation. Her ensuing federal civil rights lawsuit marked a milestone as the first of its kind filed by an openly LGBT public school teacher in the United States, and notably, the first civil rights lawsuit of any nature initiated by an LGBT individual in Oregon.

The pride flag originated in 1974 when Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected into office in the United States, tasked Gilbert Baker, an American artist and activist, to create a symbol for the LGBTQ community. The original pride flag made its debut at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on June 25, 1978. Over time, the flag has seen many iterations and has expanded into more umbrella flags to represent different identities and orientations.

Join us in celebrating Pride Month. The links below provide a selection of events, local organizations and other resources. The board resolution includes more resources and book titles.

Events

Clatsop County

• Pride in Seaside

Columbia County

• Vernonia Equality and Racial Justice

Washington County

• Beaverton: Includes a parade, dance party, pool party and more
• Hillsboro: Includes a Pride 5K, queer story event, concert and Oaks Park pride rides
• Portland: Includes parade, waterfront festival, shows and more 
• Tigard: Includes a parade and celebration, sign-making party, pride flag raising ceremony and pride bag pick-up

Resources

• Q center
• PFLAG
• Pride Northwest
• Basic Rights Oregon
• Rainbow Youth
• Stonewall Riots - The History Channel
• LGBT Activism in Oregon - Portland State University
• LGBT Coloring Book
• Reading Books

View the board resolution here.