Photo courtesy of Flashback Photography PDX (@flashbackpdx)
2024 Pride LO Recap
Over 1,000 LO Community Members Brave Rain to Celebrate City’s First Pride Festival
Despite record rainfall from an "atmospheric river" weather system, more than 1,000 community members showed up to celebrate Lake Oswego’s first-ever Pride festival, on Sunday, June 2, at Millennium Plaza Park.
Organized and hosted by LO for LOve, a volunteer-run non-profit organization promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in Lake Oswego, Pride LO featured four hours of live entertainment. Emceed by local celebrity drag queen Poison Waters, the event also showcased musical performances by:
Cedro Willie Trio, a , folk, bluegrass band based in Portland
DJ Kimere, a self-taught DJ, producer and performer known for their electrifying beats and energetic performances
Snubby J, a multi-disciplinary artist renowned for his highly-energetic performances playing the RimbaTubes and his collaborations with the Blue Man Group
Portland Gay Men's Chorus, one of the nation's oldest gay-identified choruses
Portland Lesbian Choir, an all-inclusive choir founded in 1986
The event program concluded with an epic drag show by Poison Waters and Friends, inviting an energetic crowd of all ages to their feet to dance and sing in the rain.
More than 40 vendors participated at Pride LO, including local agencies, organizations, nonprofits, craft-makers, and food and beverage businesses.
Since its founding in 2016, LO for LOve has organized or participated in events with local community partners such as Juneteenth, AAPI Heritage Month, Cultural Xchange, and Diwali. However, for many years, LO for LOve recognized that one group remained underserved within Lake Oswego—the LGBTQ2IA+ community.
Accordingly, beginning early last year, LO for LOve began planning the City’s first Pride celebration. During this time, the group recruited new Board members including those who would eventually lead the committee for Pride LO. Lakeridge High School teacher and advisor for the school’s student-run Genders & Sexualities Alliances, Daniel Hartley, stepped up to the plate to co-lead the in event. He opened the inaugural event on Sunday with a heartfelt speech about the importance of creating an inclusive community.
“When I was growing up, there was no Pride festival in my town and really no exposure to Queer people at all. I hope that today’s festival is a fun event for everyone involved, but specifically for any Queer individual in Lake Oswego. I hope that they feel seen and they feel the love and warmth from their community that they deserve.”
“It takes all of us together ensuring every resident has the same rights and is afforded the same dignity as anyone else regardless. Gay rights are human rights and we’re all better off for the path our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and their allies have been forging for generations. Now we carry forward that legacy of bravery and fortitude”
Pride LO left a mark on Lake Oswego's history on Sunday, June 2, 2024. The event's success, despite the challenges posed by the weather, was a testament to the Lake Oswego community's resilience and commitment to inclusivity. With the overwhelming support and participation from local organizations, businesses, and residents, Pride LO paved the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for the city, where every individual can feel seen, accepted, and celebrated for who they are.
Pride LO was made possible by over 40 local sponsors committed to an inclusive Lake Oswego community, including Diamond Sponsor OnPoint Credit Union, and Platinum Sponsors DOWL, The House of Rose, Maxem Health, Oregon Metro, and Respond to Racism. To see all sponsors, get more information on the event or to contribute to Pride LO, please visit pride-lo.org.
Along with the normal challenges that go with organizing a large-scale event, Oregon's unpredictable spring weather posed a significant challenge for the event organizers. An atmospheric river that would bring record late-season rainfall to the Pacific Northwest on Sunday morning threatened to rain on the event’s figurative parade. However, the blustery weather did not dampen the spirits of the local community, and their resilience and commitment to celebrating Pride shone through as they gathered under rainbow umbrellas and raincoats.
“The rain didn’t stop our vibrant community from shining at the first Lake Oswego Pride Fair! Thank you to LO for Love and all the organizations, volunteers, and supporters who came out proudly. Your spirit made this event unforgettable!”
“It don’t matter how many clouds you bring around. You can’t rain on our Parade!! PGMC was honored to have participated in Lake Oswego’s first-ever (but certainly not the last) Pride! Everyone everywhere deserves to know that not only is it ok to be who you are, but that it should be celebrated.”
Throughout the event, it was clear that while there are many Pride festivals now all over the country, the significance of Pride taking place in Lake Oswego was meaningful for the community, as evidenced by the many youth dancing in the crowd wearing colorful clothing and broad smiles.
One of Sunday’s standout performers was Snubby J, a Lake Oswego native, reflected on the importance of this type of event in his hometown in his Instagram recap. “This type of community support really matters. I actually got a little emotional when I arrived and saw how many volunteers and booths were set up, despite the awful weather forecast. I wasn’t aware of my own bisexuality while growing up in Lake Oswego, but it brings me solace knowing this level of outward love for the queer community in my hometown could make so many more folks (both young and old) feel safe and welcome to be their fullest selves."
Pride LO was a resounding success, bringing out hundreds of people from LO and nearby to celebrate and support LGBTQ2IA+ community. Mayor Joe Buck highlighted this importance in his speech on Sunday.
About LO for LOve
Started in 2016, LO for LOve is a mission-driven non-profit working to make Lake Oswego a place where all feel integral and have equitable access to opportunities and resources. What began as a family-friendly walk downtown against acts of hate has grown into steadfast advocacy for diversity, equity and belonging throughout our city's events, institutions, businesses, groups, schools and government. The group collaborates with partners like the Lake Oswego School District, City of Lake Oswego, Lake Oswego Public Library and Respond to Racism to initiate awareness-raising activities, amplify underrepresented voices, celebrate all cultures and promote a culture of inclusion and belonging throughout Lake Oswego.
