A broad and growing array of organizations serve the LGBTQ community both nationally and within the Portland, Oregon metro area. This is not a complete list, but PFLAG and PFLAG members have found the following organizations to be helpful. PFLAG Portland encourages you to contact us for further assistance.
Last update: October 18, 2024
Data and Research
The Family Acceptance Project is a research, intervention, education and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) children and youth, including suicide, homelessness and HIV – in the context of their families, cultures and faith communities. FAP uses a research-based, culturally grounded approach to help ethnically, socially and religiously diverse families to support their LGBT children. Excellent research and family/community publications.
The Williams Institute The Williams Institute concentrates on Federal, State, and Local policy and its effects on LGBTQ people in the greater community.
Oregon Queer History Collective (GLAPN) has been working since 1994 to discover and publicize the history of sexual minorities in the Pacific Northwest.
Family Focused
PFLAG is the nation’s largest and oldest peer-to-peer support network, uniting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) with families, friends, and allies. PFLAG works to ensure that all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are not only valued by society, but take pride in and value themselves. PFLAG does this through providing peer-to-peer support, educating people on the issues that are important to the community, and advocating for inclusive policies and laws. PFLAG’s Portland chapter is at http://pflagpdx.org. Lots of current news, policy updates, introductory information pages and downloadable publications on coming out, family, religion, transgender individuals, allying and more.
Our Path, formerly “The Straight Spouse Network,” offers support and resources to those whose spouses have come out as LGBTQ.
Politics and Policy
The ACLU has a long history of fighting for LGBTQ rights within the legal system. Visit ACLU Oregon for state-specific news and information.
Basic Rights Oregon is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in our state. In the spirit of fundamental fairness and equality, Basic Rights Oregon seeks to build and mobilize a broad coalition of citizens to ensure democratic freedoms for all Oregonians.
Erin in the Morning Independent journalist Erin Reed covers policy and legislation affecting the transgender community. In-depth articles, including a regularly updated anti-trans legislative map, can be found on her website and via her Substack newsletter. Follow her on Instagram for timely news updates.
GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, ensures that authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard and actualized by increasing media accountability and community engagement.
Human Rights Campaign is the nation's largest LGBTQ policy advocacy organization, with many programs touching all areas of the LGBTQ community. Visit HRC Oregon for local programs, events, news and volunteer opportunities.
National LGBTQ Task Force is the national progressive organization working for the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, with the vision and commitment to building a powerful political movement. The National LGBTQ Task Force believes a strong LGBTQ movement demands the empowerment of community leaders at the local level.
Oregon Coalition Against Hate Crime is a statewide partnership between community groups and local, state and federal government agencies. The Coalition and its members, including PFLAG, seeks to improve the reporting of hate crimes and to aid in the investigation of hate crimes; provides resources to victims of hate crimes and hate incidents; and educates the community about the disruptive nature of hate crimes and the community strengthening value of diversity. Connecting community groups with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to improve the reporting of hate crimes and to aid in the investigation of hate crimes.
Community and Advocacy
The BiBrigade works to strengthen and support Portland's bi+ community while dispelling biphobic stereotypes and stigmas. They are an all-inclusive community and hold a wide variety of events for bi+ folks of all persuasions.
Friendly House Elder Pride Services, formerly SAGE Metro Portland, works to enhance the lives of older LGBTQ+ community members through education, advocacy, outreach and resource development.
Northwest Gender Alliance One of the oldest, continually operated transgender and gender-variant organizations in the country, the NWGA provides support and safe gatherings for the transgender community as well as education services to the public.
Peacock Productions promotes the education of the LGBTQ community and works to eliminate prejudice against the community through entertainment, scholarships and networking. Founded in 1987 by local entrepreneur and drag entertainer, Lady Elaine Peacock.
Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Order of Benevolent Bliss is an order of 21st century radical nuns dedicated to the promulgation of joy and the expiation of guilt. Committed to the support, education and development of LGBTQQIP2SAA+ communities, this organization works to counter dominant narratives and break down systems of oppression.
Queer Social Club promotes queer visibility and strong communities through local event calendars and weekly email newsletters.
The Rose City T-Girls are the largest and most widely known Transgender Social Support Group in the Pacific Northwest. Their activities range from golf tournaments to weekly outings and annual trips to the Diva Las Vegas get together.
Shout OUT updates the community on the latest LGBTQ news, reviews and entertainment in the Pacific Northwest. Find them on Facebook.
TransActive Gender Project at Lewis & Clark Graduate School provides a holistic range of services and expertise to empower transgender and gender-expansive children, youth and their families. Look here for support group facilitation for families/allies and youth, age 4-18, as well as gender-affirming counseling services.
Student Safety
GLSEN, The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN believes that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. GLSEN Oregon is the Oregon chapter of GLSEN.
The Oregon Safe Schools and Communities Coalition seeks to create safe schools and communities where every family can belong, every educator can teach, and every child can learn regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The OSSCC believes that all youth deserve to feel safe and welcome in our schools and communities.
Youth
Bridging Voices is a youth chorus for LGBTQ+ and allied youth, ages 13-21. One of the largest youth choruses of its kind in the nation, Bridging Voices strives to be a safe, accessible place for youth to experience empowerment and unity through music.
It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ youth around the globe. Free educational resources and opportunities for youth to share their voice to help others.
smyrc The Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center has worked to create safety and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth in Oregon since 1998, through youth empowerment, community building, education and direct services.
The Living Room is Clackamas County’s safe space for LGBTIQQ youth ages 14-24.
Trans Mentor Project is a national virtual mentoring program that pairs trans/nonbinary mentees with trans/nonbinary adult mentors. An evidence-based program, they utilize Positive Youth Development theory to create a safe space for participants to have fun and be their authentic selves.
Crisis and Information Hotlines
Trans Lifeline is a national 24/7 hotline for transgender people experiencing crisis. This includes people who may be struggling with their gender identity. Trans Lifeline is staffed by trained members of the transgender community who will connect callers with appropriate services in their area.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. The Trevor Project provides 24/7 Phone, Chat, Text, social networking, and information database.
The Gay & Lesbian National Hotline is the only non-profit, nationwide, toll-free information, referral ad peer-counseling line for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning people of all ages.
Faith
The Community of Welcoming Congregations (CWC) is an Oregon and SW Washington interfaith ministry and advocacy organization working toward full inclusion and equality for transgender, lesbian, bisexual, gay and questioning persons. Our work brings together people of faith who believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every person.
Q Christian Fellowship is a multi-denominational organization working towards full inclusion of LGBTQ people in Christian ministries. It has deep roots in Evangelical Christianity.
Galva-108 provides Information and support for LGBTI Viashnavas and Hindus
There are also LGBTQ support organizations within many denominations.
Transgender Health
Kaiser Northwest Gender Pathways Clinic serves transgender and gender-expansive patients with culturally competent care, including internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, social work, nursing and community health navigation.
Legacy Hospital Transgender Health Services offers “wraparound” services for transgender individuals and their loved ones – transition-related, primary, and specialty care.
OSHU Transgender Health Program provides a broad range of services to the transgender community.
LGBTQ+ Healthcare
Folx Health is the largest online health and wellness platform designed for the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. Offering comprehensive services such as primary care, gender affirming care and therapy, Folx strives to create a safe and inclusive environment where people can receive the highest quality of care without fear of discrimination.
Prism Health offers a safe and affirming space where all members of the LGBTQ+ community can obtain compassionate and culturally effective health care, such as primary care, sexual health, substance abuse support and gender affirming care.
Allied Organizations
As LGBTQ people have become more visible in society, their presence in other areas has become more evident: in healthcare, the workplace, transportation, racial issues, and much more. We recognize that we all live at the intersection of these issues, and we make common cause with each other. The following organizations provide information and support to LGBTQ people served by their mission.
Cerebral Palsy Guidance provides answers and assistance to parents of a child with cerebral palsy, covering cerebral palsy from all angles–from symptoms, causes, and treatment, to daily living information, such as communication, transitioning to adulthood, and being LGBTQ.