There is no way to sugarcoat the scale of change and crisis unfolding across our country and, in particular, here at home. The COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of health and economic impact, is on a scale not seen in our lifetimes. The sea of social change happening concurrently to the pandemic is directly affecting the lives of people already at the margins.

Pride Northwest and others have responded to pieces of what is happening around us. However, we, as a community, are in crisis and we need a comprehensive and sustainable response to that. To that end, Pride Northwest has been actively working to identify a path towards scaling up how we can and should engage in more fully supporting our community and meeting these challenges head on. Pride Northwest and PABA (Oregon’s LGBTQIA+ Chamber) are joining forces to respond to the need. 

We recognize that we are only two organizations with limited direct resources, and that the task before us is monumental. However, in addition to expanding this conversation to include additional partners, we are choosing to act now, with the intent toward a more strategic and sustainable response over time.

Among a number of actions we are identifying, working with other organizations in the Portland Metro already on the ground to address the needs of houseless and food insecure people, is a top priority for us. The LGBTQIA+ community has long been overly represented among these most vulnerable populations, and that is likely only going to get worse.

Where We Start

Did you know that the number one request received by those serving the houseless community is socks? That is such a seemingly small thing that most of us take for granted, but it is where we have been asked to start, by those working to support our houseless community. So that is our first ask of you, our community, to help us collect new, unused socks! 

Our goal is to collect at least 2000 pairs of socks between now and September 30th.

If you want to help with this effort, please reach out to Robert Turvey at membership@paba.com or Debra Porta at debra.porta@pridenw.org

In looking ahead, we will be calling upon our partners, volunteers, and supporters to actively engage in a coordinated response to the incredible need present and growing in our community. If you would like to support us in more of these activities or would like to get directly involved, please reach out to Debra at debra.porta@pridenw.org.

Note: We have and will continue to stand with the peaceful protests happening across Oregon and the necessary work toward a stronger, more just society.  We see food security and the meeting of basic needs as integral to getting to that place. These are not separate issues, and the disparity will likely only increase in the coming months.