Celebrate Pride Month
June is Pride month, a time dedicated to honor and celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The first Pride Celebration occurred in June 1970, the year following the Stonewall Riots. This June, YWCA of Greater Portland has updated the acronym we use for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual, and various other ways people choose to self-identify by leading with the “2S.” This intentional shift is part of our ongoing efforts to decolonize queer spaces, center indigenous voices and experiences, and encourage conversations around colonization, power, and privilege as we work towards peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
2SLGBTQIA+ Terms to Know
2SLGTBQIA+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, and the countless affirmative ways in which people choose to self-identify. This definition continues to evolve to be as inclusive as possible.Cisgender: a gender identity that does correspond with the gender assigned at birth.Genderqueer: typically is outside of, in-between, or fluctuating between the binary gender categories of male and female. Gender queer relates to the spectrum of both Gender Identity as well as Gender Expression - that is, they may move fluidly between the identities of male and female and separately may move fluidly between masculine expression and feminine expression.Non-binary: typically is descriptive of someone whose gender identity is not exclusively male or female.Two-Spirit: refers to Indigenous people who express their gender or sexual identities as different from others. Not all Indigenous individuals who are not Cisgender or Heterosexual will identify as Two-Spirited, but all Two-spirit individuals identify as Indigenous. Some nations hold space for more than 2 genders, such as the Díne, The Anishnaabe, and the Lakota.
Design by @paddyofireland
Gender and Disabilities
Friday, June 23rd, 2023, 10am-12pm PST
Online via ZoomCourse Description: Learn about the intersectionality of gender and disabilities and how to advocate for those in your community.
Register at the link below!
De-sociallyconstructing Gender
Thursday, June 29th, 2023, 9am -12pm PST
Online via ZoomCourse Description:Through small and large group discussions, attendees will think critically about gender as a social construct and what happens when identities are outside of dichotomous culture.Attendees will:
Discuss the constraints that dominant culture places on all genders
Learn the fluidity and contextual nuances of the word queer
Reflect on how we individually uphold our oppressive systems harming our queer community members
Register at the link below!
Draw the Circle Wide
Portland Lesbian Choir presents Draw the Circle Wide with guest artist Ara Lee James. You are invited to a night filled with music from artists like Brandie Carlile, BTS, Carrie Newcomer, Tracy Chapman, Billy Porter, and many more. This concert examines relationships between humans on a local and global scale.Saturday, June 10th at 7:00pm-8:30pm & Sunday, June 11th at 3:00pm-4:30pm
Parkrose Performing Arts Theater: 12003 NE Shaver St Portland OR 97220
The History of Black Drag in Portland
RACE TALKS will host a special Juneteenth and Pride Community Forum The History of Black Drag in Portland: an Evening of Conversation and Performance. This is RACE TALKS’ 128th community forum and 7th hybrid event — in-person and virtual participation.RACE TALKS is a community dialogue series founded by Donna Maxey, a Black femme Portland Native. RACE TALKS’ mission is ‘filling the spaces between races with compassion, conversation, and education.’ RACE TALKS envisions a world beyond superficial connections where race, ethnicity, gender, and religion are no longer barriers to connecting with others but a means to enhance cross-cultural connections through deep and shared experiences.Wednesday, June 15th and Thursday June 16th McMenamins Kennedy School: 5736 NE 33rd Ave Portland, OR 97211 Cost: $25 Get tickets here!
Portland Pride Run
Come celebrate Portland Pride with this fun run, walk, and roll on the waterfront, hosted by Portland Frontrunners! We are honored again to have Poison Waters as our special guest who will be motivating, entertaining, and celebrating with us before and after the race. Light snacks, beverages, and music will await you at the finish line. Register today to receive a fabulous commemorative medal on race day!
Saturday, June 17th at 9amEastbank Esplanade Register here!
Fostering Pride
Fostering Pride is a collaborative effort of, Unicorn Solutions, Basic Rights Oregon, Oregon Department of Human Services, and multiple statewide LGBTQIA2S+ organizations. This event will educate, motivate, and activate Oregonians to support LGBTQIA2S+ youth experiencing foster care Fostering Pride offers quarterly virtual information sessions on how to become a certified resource parent or respite provider for youth experiencing foster care and who have diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. The session is for individuals or families residing in Oregon who are interested in providing exceptional care to these youth as they await reunification with their families.
Tuesday, June 20th 6:00pm-7:30pm Virtual session via ZoomRegistration: bit.ly/resource23
Rainbow Ride
Hey, she's, they's and gays. It’s time for the third annual Rainbow Ride. This year is leveling up with a partner, The Street Trust and a grant from Prosper Portland. Don your most vibrant rainbow colors and roll together in PRIDE. LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, allies and accomplices welcome.Creating a safe, fun atmosphere where all are welcome, all ages, all abilities, all riding levels, rain or shine.Gather at 7 p.m. with an end spot party from 9 p.m. to late o'clock, where there will be DJs, drag, and dancers. The ride will be approximately 5 miles, flat. Bring your friends, music and queer pride.Saturday, July 1st gathering at 7:00pm FREE TBA Register here!