Pride Northwest
Pride NW (Pride Nortwest) is the name of Portland, Oregon's gay pride festival. Gay pride in Portland has been celebrated since the 1970's, however in 1994, Pride Northwest, Inc. was officially created as an organization. This is a non-pofit organization that organizes pride every year in Portland, OR.[1] The mission of Pride Northwest, Inc. is to encourage and celebrate the positive diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer communities, and to assist in the education of all people through the development of activities that showcase the history, accomplishments, and talents of these communities. [2]
Pride Northwest originally was scheduled in June to commemorate the stonewall Riots in New York. It was origionally third weekend in June, however it has been switched to Fathers Day weekend due to Waterfront Park's popularity and maintenace schedule. The actual pride parade is held on the Sunday of Fathers Day weekend. [3]
Pride Northwest also includes a Dyke March during pride weekend. Woman, biological or otherwise are encouraged to march and generally gather in Portland's North Park Blocks on the Saturday before the pride parade. Allies are ecouraged to support the Dyke March from the sidelines.[4]
In Portland, it is not illegal for woen to go topless in public, so they are free to do so at the Pride events. Pride Northwest does encourage all of it's attendees to express themeselves as they choose, and be tolerant of one another. [5]
| Year | Theme | Grand Marshall |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "United We Stand" | Kendall Clawson |
| 2008 | "Pride Bring It" | |
| 2007 | "" | Tina Kotek |
| 2006 | "" | |
| 2005 | "Everyday People" | Vera Katz |
| 2004 | "" | |
| 2003 | "" | |
| 2002 | "" | |
| 2001 | "" | Ann Shepherd |
| 2000 | "" | |
| 1999 | "" | |
| 1998 | "" | |
| 1997 | "" | |
| 1996 | "" | Chastity Bono |
| 1995 | "" | |
| 1994 | "" |
References