What to expect at Portland Pride 2026
Remixed and Refreshed Willie Redman is used to being the life of the party as drag queen DeJa Skye. Redman competed twice on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” in 2021 and 2025. Redman’s appearance on the show was most memorable for his spirited, glammed-up impersonation of Lil Jon in the show’s “Match Game” spoof, “Snatch Game.” But…
Drag Me Outside hikes reconnect queer Portlanders with flora, fauna, and friends
Efemmera Gendera and Thespis D. Light are surprised by the enthusiastic response to their drag naturewalk series, Drag Me Outside. Walks have rolled out biweekly since March, revealed through Drag Me Outside’s mailing list, to connect Portlanders to nature through an unapologetically queer learning style. The tours are often described as hikes, but are designed…
Funding uncertainty for the organization’s fighting rural Oregon’s rising HIV rates
As national Pride month comes to an end this year, the organizations fighting rising HIV rates in rural Oregon don’t know if their funding will continue through the summer. Oregon’s rates of HIV infections are relatively low compared to other states, but they are on the rise — especially in rural counties. Based in Eugene,…
Looking back at Portland Pride’s best headliners
Debra Porta started as a volunteer in 2006 with Pride Northwest. Twenty years later, as its executive director, Porta has seen her fair share of Pride festivals. She tells Street Roots that the best Pride headlining entertainers are the ones who genuinely connect with the local LGBTQIA2S+ community and treat their peers well backstage. It’s…
If you’re reading this you’re probably gay: Queer your media intake with these recommendations
As Street Roots’ resident queer little art gremlin, I am here to give you some suggestions to queer your media. I promise I am qualified (I am loud, opinionated and gay in a way so complex it comes back around to being simple). Just like the queer community, this is a combination of diverse recommendations…
City lets Cooling Portland program evaporate
The city program Cooling Portland is coming to an end. After five years of providing free air conditioners to low-income families, applications close June 30. The application form is available on the City of Portland’s website, or you can call 311 for assistance. Anyone who makes 60% or less of the area median income is…
