Portland is known for its counterculture communities, which means inclusivity is important to the city’s residents. PRIDE draws many visitors from around the country to Portland to celebrate each year; and while it’s easy to find articles detailing the hottest queer spaces in town, crucial information is missing: the accessibility of these locations. This makes it difficult for people with access needs, such as those with disabilities or people of size, to know in advance if they can take part. That’s where Friendly Like Me comes in!
Friendly Like Me is proud to partner with Portland PRIDE this year to create a more Accessible PRIDE festival. Executive Director Debra Porta, and her team have worked hard over the last few years to make the Portland Pride Festival easier for everyone to access and enjoy. This has not always been easy.
In previous years, the combination of rain and the Rose Festival (which immediately preceded PRIDE) always left the grounds of Waterfront Park muddy, and difficult to navigate. And Waterfront Park is uneven and bumpy, to begin with. So, in response, the festival was moved to July to give the park's grounds a chance to dry-out and recover before the LGBTQIA2S+ community comes out in force to celebrate.
Importantly, this year Portland PRIDE collaborated with both The Society Hotel and Prosper Portland to create special parade viewing areas for people with access needs. Additionally, a more accessible festival satellite location has been established in Ankeny Alley which will provide visitors with an alternative to Waterfront Park for the first time. Details about how to gain access to these spaces is included in our Portland Pride Accessibility Guide, available here.
Come with us as we take you to the most accessible LGBTQ-Friendly (yes, with a capital F!) locations in Portland. From the traditional bars and restaurants to atriums and chocolate factory tours, Portland has something for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy!
For more information about parking options near and around these venues, you can visit the City of Portland’s interactive parking map.