For years, my former boss at South Florida Gay News would rave about Portland, Oregon. He loved the free-spirited nature of the community as well as the abundance of outdoor activities available outside the city. After years of seeing Norm and other friends post breathtaking photos on social media, I thought it was time to give Portland a try.
When I first arrived, I got the feeling that I was in a smaller version of Seattle, but as I spent time in Portland, I quickly discovered that it had a life of its own. I did however speak to some locals and they told me the city has been going through a bit of an identity crisis as of late as they try to compete with Seattle’s economic boom, mostly driven by Amazon and other tech firms. But, why try to be Seattle? Just be Portland.
The entire downtown area is pretty much walkable, with many of the city’s main attractions located within a few miles of each other. What was obvious from the start were the abundance of rainbow flags scattered throughout the city. I think it’s safe to say that Portland may have the highest concentration of rainbow flags per capita than any city I have visited thus far.
My first stop in Portland was The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Being of Jewish decent, I found it fascinating that this particular attraction would be located in Portland. I wasn’t aware of the city’s extensive Jewish community. The museum explores the legacy of the Jewish experience in Oregon and teaches the universal lessons of the Holocaust. The museum features rotating exhibitions that showcase Jewish contributions to world culture, issues of Jewish identity, and the forces of prejudice. They also offer an extensive program of films, lectures, and concerts throughout the year, which cover a wide range of topics relating to Jewish art, culture, and heritage.
By Joey Amato – Full Story at The Gay UK
Gay Portland, Oregon Travel Resources
