In 1977, the first “Gay Pride March” in Portland took place. The first Pride celebration in Portland, Oregon was the “Gay Pride Fair” in 1975, held in the South Park Blocks. The original movement was a fight for housing, health care and other resources for transpeople, sex workers, and community impacted by the AIDS epidemic. Several powerful QT+ organizations were formed and the Pride movement gained momentum. Thousands of people in the QT+ community bravely demonstrated their demand for equal civil rights, in cities all across the county. In June 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots, the first gay liberation marches were held in resistance to homophobic laws and bigotry. They went on to form the Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries (STAR) to support the trans community, who were facing insurmuntable discrimination, along with housing and health care insecurity under the rising AIDS epidemic. Johnson, along with other Black transgender activists, Zazu Nova, Jackie Harmona, and Latin activist, Sylvia Rivera, led the rebellion at the Stonewall Riots. Johnson, a Black Trans woman, is credited with throwing a brick, sparking a riot that expressed the frustration and anger of QT+ citizens subjected to oppressive systems of racism and homophobia. Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a Greenwich Village pub and haven for the underground LGBTQ+ community. The modern American gay rights movement began in New York City on June 28 th, 1969.
Black writers and poets of the Harlem Renaissance movement of the 1920s, such as Countee Cullen and Zora Neale Hurston and musical entertainers, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, and Gladys Bentley were some of the most legendary lesbian, gay, bisexual, and gender non-conforming artists whose influence on American culture was far reaching and vital and Bayard Rustin, who was quietly credited with being the brains behind the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, was a proud advocate and fighter in the Pride Movement.ĭuring the early 20 th century, most QT+ identified people did not have the choice to be open about their sexuality, as severe laws, restrictions, and homophobic public opinion actively suppressed their freedom. The Black QT+ (Queer Trans plus) community has a long history as a vibrant part of American culture. Pride encapsulates the many colors of the Queer Rainbow family, but Queer Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) still struggle to find spaces where they are welcomed, seen, and safe. Juneteenth is celebrated on or around June 19th, and this year, falls within Portland’s Pride celebrations. Pride is celebrated throughout the month of June and has become synonymous with predominately white cis male and female celebrations across the United States and around the world, even though the origins of Pride began with Black and brown transwomen challenging for their place among cis queer and hetero society. We recognize that the contributions of Black people are the link between Pride and Juneteenth we welcome information and feedback to this page. We hope that The History of Black Drag in Portland is an inaugural event, with many more years of celebration to come. We offer a brief synopsis below about the origins of Pride and Juneenth and how Portlanders commemorate them.
This year, RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism honors the intersectionality of Pride and Juneteenth by hosting an event that centers and welcomes QTBIPOC to be in a safe space together and celebrate our legacy and future together. Did you know that Black and Latine trans women and drag queens are credited with starting the Pride movement? Did you know that the drag scene in Portland dates back to the 19th century?
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